The electric coffee maker is quick and easy to use and is ideal for preparing several cups of coffee at the same time. The result is a beverage with a very good taste and aroma, thanks to the important step of “pre-infusion”, that is to say, the water falls slowly through the ground coffee in the form of rain and reaches the decanter by gravity.
The procedure is simple, the water is heated in a tank and when it reaches the ideal temperature, it passes through the ground coffee that is on the paper filter and then falls into the decanter. The decanter, being on a hot plate, helps to maintain its temperature until the filtering process is finished.
What is a perfect cup of coffee? “The golden cup standard”
The answer is both obvious and ambiguous. The perfect cup of coffee is the one that you like the most and that, for sure, will be different from the one I like the most. In fact, there are as many perfect cups of coffee as there are consumers and coffee aficionados.
However, there is an international coffee association, the SCA, which has defined the standards of the coffee industry, and among others, the standard of a cup of coffee, or as they call it, The Golden cup standard.
According to the SCA, a perfect cup of coffee is one in which the coffee shows a concentration of infusion, measured as Total Dissolved Solids of between 11.5 and 13.5 grams per liter, corresponding to between 1.15% and 1.35% and resulting from an extraction of soluble solids of between 18% and 22%. Simplifying a little,
In order to make a perfect cup of coffee, it is recommended to use 55 g (± 5 g) of coffee beans per liter of water. That is, 5.5 g of coffee per 100 ml (or 100 grams, which is the same) of water at a temperature of 93.0 °C (± 3°).
“The Golden Cup Standard” is a set of guidelines developed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) to achieve a perfect cup of coffee. It includes the following aspects:
- Fragrance/Aroma: the smell of brewed coffee.
- Flavor: the taste of coffee.
- Aftertaste: the lingering taste in the mouth after drinking coffee.
- Acidity: the pleasant sour taste that adds liveliness to coffee.
- Body: the sensation of weight, thickness or viscosity of coffee in the mouth.
- Balance: how the various aspects of coffee come together to create a harmonious and complex flavor.
- Clean Cup: the absence of unpleasant tastes, such as sourness or bitterness.
- Sweetness: the pleasant taste that comes from natural sugars in coffee.
To prepare a perfect cup of coffee, it is necessary to measure the right amount of coffee and water, grind the coffee beans appropriately, and control the temperature and time of brewing. By following these guidelines, you can make a delicious and satisfying cup of coffee that meets the Golden Cup Standard.
What are the factors that affect the preparation of coffee?
Several factors can affect the preparation of coffee, including
- Grind size: The size of the coffee particles affects the rate of extraction. A finer grind provides more surface area for the water to extract the flavor from the coffee, resulting in a stronger flavor.
- Brewing method: Different brewing methods, such as drip, French press, or espresso, require different grind sizes and brew times to achieve the desired flavor.
- Water quality and temperature: Quality water, free of contaminants and at the proper temperature (between 195-205°F or 90-96°C) can enhance the taste of coffee.
- Coffee-to-water ratio: The amount of coffee used in relation to the amount of water affects the strength and flavor of the coffee.
- Brew time: The length of time the coffee and water are in contact affects the extraction rate and flavor of the coffee, so it is important to follow the recommended brewing time for each brewing method.
- Freshness: The freshness of the coffee beans can significantly affect the taste of the coffee. Stale beans that have been exposed to air for too long can result in a flat, unappealing flavor.
By controlling these factors, you can prepare a delicious cup of coffee that meets your preferences and achieves the desired taste and strength.
Grinding and your equipment: ground coffee or coffee beans?
Whether to use ground coffee or coffee beans depends on several factors, including personal preference, brewing method, and available equipment.
If you have a coffee grinder, it is generally recommended that you use whole beans and grind them just before brewing for maximum freshness and flavor. Grinding your coffee beans fresh allows you to control the grind size, which can significantly affect the taste of the coffee and is essential for certain brewing methods such as espresso.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a coffee grinder or don’t want to go through the hassle of grinding your coffee beans, using pre-ground coffee is a convenient option. Pre-ground coffee comes in a variety of grinds, so you can choose the right one for your brewing method.
It’s important to note, however, that pre-ground coffee can quickly lose its freshness and flavor, especially if not stored properly. Ground coffee is more susceptible to oxidation and air exposure, which can result in a stale taste. That’s why it’s generally recommended to use pre-ground coffee within a week of opening the package and store it in an airtight container away from heat and light.
Ultimately, whether you use ground coffee or coffee beans depends on your preference and the equipment you have available. If you have a grinder, grinding your coffee beans fresh is generally the best option, but pre-ground coffee can be a convenient and accessible alternative.
Water – CSA Standard
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has established parameters for water quality to ensure the best possible extraction of coffee flavors and aromas. These parameters are known as the SCA Water Quality Standard, which includes the following specifications:
- Odor: Water should be free from any objectionable odor or taste.
- Calcium: Water hardness should be between 50 – 150 mg/L (ppm).
- Chloride: Chloride levels should be under 85 mg/L (ppm).
- Total Alkalinity: Total alkalinity should be between 40 – 120 mg/L (ppm).
- pH: Water pH should be between 6.5 – 7.5.
- Total Dissolved Solids: Total dissolved solids (TDS) should be between 75 – 250 mg/L (ppm).
By adhering to these water quality parameters, coffee professionals can achieve the optimal extraction of coffee flavors and aromas, resulting in a high-quality cup of coffee that meets the SCA’s standards.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS AND ENJOY A GOOD COFFEE!
- Step 1: The paper filter: Place the coffee filter in the corresponding place.
- Step 2: Amount of coffee: The amount of coffee to use will depend on the amount of cups you want to obtain. The recommended proportion is 1 tablespoon of coffee per 240 ml, equivalent to a cup of 8onz.
- Step 3: Quantity of water: To measure it, use the lines of the coffee carafe and consider the number of cups you want to obtain.
- Step 4: Turn on your coffee maker and wait until the coffee has finished filtering before serving.
- Step 5: That’s it! Your coffee in less than 4 minutes ready to enjoy.
COFFEE TIPS:
- The type of grind is medium. We encourage you to grind your coffee yourself and enjoy one more step of the whole process. Click here
- Do not use your paper filter more than once because you will obtain bad results. And remember to remove it as soon as you are done, otherwise the water in the filter will continue to drip and affect your drink in a negative way.
- Use a soup spoon for your measurements.
- We recommend our Aicasa Classic coffee, a blend that combines coffees from the Quillabamba and Chanchamayo valleys.