Not all coffee is created equal — and that includes decaf. If you want your cup to taste amazing, a few simple steps will make a big difference. Here’s how to bring out the best in your beans.
1. Grind your beans as fresh as possible
Simple: Grinding right before you brew keeps the flavors bright and clear. Pre-ground coffee starts losing flavor fast, so treat your beans kindly and grind just what you need.
Nerdy: Coffee beans start oxidizing the second they’re ground. Within minutes, volatile aromatic compounds, the ones that give you those gorgeous floral, fruity, or chocolatey notes, begin to dissipate, boo! Grinding whole beans just before brewing minimizes oxidation and moisture absorption, keeping more of the bean’s essential oils intact for a richer, more nuanced cup.
2. Get your ratios right
Simple: A good starting point is 1 part coffee (by weight) to 16 parts water (by weight). Adjust up or down depending on whether you want a bolder or lighter cup.
Nerdy: This 1:16 brew ratio is a sweet spot in the “Golden Cup Standard” range set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Using weight instead of scoops accounts for bean density differences and roast level variations. Even a small swing in ratio, like 1:15 vs. 1:17, changes total dissolved solids (TDS) and extraction yield, which impacts how sweet, acidic, or bitter your cup tastes.
3. choose your brew style
Simple: Pour-over gives you more control over flavor. Machines win for convenience. Either way, tweak your water amount for strength: less water for bold, more water for mellow.
Nerdy: Pour-over methods like V60 or Kalita allow you to manipulate flow rate, agitation, and water temperature with precision, affecting extraction rate and flavor clarity. Decaf beans, often less dense due to caffeine removal, can benefit from slightly cooler water (195–200°F) to avoid over-extraction. Automatic brewers are consistent but limit your ability to fine-tune variables in real time.
4. take a moment for yourself
Simple: Coffee isn’t just about caffeine. Duh. It’s a pause button in a mug. Take a minute to slow down and actually taste it.
There is no nerdy: Just freakin enjoy it. We're so glad you are here.
