Coffee Bean
Always start with freshly roasted gourmet coffee. Coffee maintains its peak freshness best, when kept in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place. There is much controversy as to whether it should be stored cold or not (i.e. refrigerator / freezer); Cold storage is probably only necessary when sealed, long-term storage is desired. Ultimately, the most important factors to remember are keeping the coffee away from air (oxygen) and moisture, which can degrade the freshness of your coffee.

Coffee Maker
A clean coffee maker is essential to good coffee. Residue of stale coffee oils will interfere with good coffee flavor. We suggest regular cleaning of your coffee maker according to manufacturer recommendation.

Water
Always use fresh, cold water. If the tap water where you live is distasteful due to hardness or treatment, consider using bottled water or a filter system. Never use softened water! Remember, a cup of coffee is 98% water; If the water doesn't taste good, the coffee won't either. Some coffee makers (like Krups Crystal Aroma) even have their own water filter system!

Grind
Always use the correct grind for the brewing method. Grinding the beans just prior to brewing, results in about a fourth more flavor in the cup. If coffee is ground too fine for the brewing method, overextraction will produce a less desireable, possibly bitter cup of coffee. Likewise, too course a grind will lead to underextraction, and a lifeless, weak cup of coffee. Since beans should be ground before brewing EACH time, it is an art you will master after only a few trials.

Proportion of Coffee to Water
Although the amount of coffee you use will be dictated by individual taste preference and brewing method, a general starting point we recommend is 1 rounded tablespoon of coffee to every (8 oz.) cup of water.

Temperature
When brewing coffee using a hot water method, generally the ideal temperature should be between 190-200 F (unless otherwise specified). This permits ideal extraction of essential flavor and oils from the grounds. Water that is too hot will overextract, yielding a less thatn desirable cup of coffee. Likewise, water that is too cold will underextract, yielding a thin lifeless cup (the only exception to this is brewing coffe using a cold water method - see brewing methods).

Percolator
Experts are unanumous - Don't use this method to brew coffee! Percolators have two downfalls:

• They boil the water, which damages coffee by cooking away delicate flavor essence. This also overextracts bitter, harsh tasting chemicals leaving you with a less than desireable cup of coffee.
• They run the same water over the grounds continuously, which has the same effect of overextracting.

Even the course grind used in this method is not enough to keep your precious coffee from being abused. There are hundreds of inexpensive, suitable alternatives to the percolator availible; Unless you are madly attatched to yours, it's worth the switch.

French Press
Also called "plunger pot", or simply "press-pot." This method uses a porcelain or glass cylinder as the pot. The plunger consists of a stainless, mesh screen, which fits snugly inside the pot to filter the grounds. Drip (slightly course) ground coffee is measured into the pot, and near boiling water (190-200 degrees F) is poured over it. The plunger is placed in the top of the pot, but not yet pushed down. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. Then you simply press the plunger down through the coffee, filtering the grounds out by pushing them to the bottom.

Since there is no way to keep the coffee warm once it is brewed, it must be served immediately (or poured into a pre-heated thermal carage). If you are the type of person who likes to make a full pot of coffee in the morning, and drink from it all day, this is probably not the method for you.

On the other hand, the ceremony and ritual that go along with brewing in a press-pot (not to mention the richer, heavier-bodied, fuller-flavored cup of coffee that it yields), make it the preferred method of brewing for many.

Automatic Drip
This is by far the most popular brewing method for Americans. Automatic drip brewers have an advantage in their simplicity of use, as well as the low cost of obtaining one.

Coffee grounds are measured into a filter which is placed in the filter holder of the coffee maker. Then pour the recommended amount of water into the resevoir and turn the machine on to brew. Experts recommend that you brew a full pot. If you have, say, a 10-cup coffee maker, then it is timed and built to brew a full 10 cups. Brewing less will change the finished cup. However, their are some coffee makers which can be switched to change this timing, if only 2-3 cups are desired.

Automatic drip makers yield a clear, light-bodied coffee, free from some of the oils and sediment found in other brewing methods. As always serve immediately. Although most machines have a heating element, do not leave the carafe on the heat for more than about 30 minutes. If you want to save it longer, pour it into a pre-heated thermal carafe. There are even coffee makers that brew directly into a thermal carafe.

Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker
Stovetop method of brewing coffee is a popular alternative to the more expensive electric espresso makers. It also allows you to make coffee while camping or anywhere else you have heat, but no electricicty. To many, this is the preferred method of brewing for the "perfect" cup.

Stovetop makers are very easy to use. You simply fill the bottom boiler with cold water up to the fill line. Then you put the funnel filter in the boiler, and fill it with course ground coffee (do not tamp!). Screw the top onto the boiler and filter (tighten thoroughly), and place the whole unit onto the heat source with medium heat. When the top container is filled with the dark brew, remove unit from heat and serve immediately. Allow the unit to cool before opening. This method will yield a stronger, heavier-bodied, rich cup of coffee.

Cold Water Concentrate (Toddy)
Brewing coffee in a special, cold water brewer is extremely easy. With special filter and plug in place, you simply place 1 lb. (or 1/2 lb. to cut amount in half) of regular ground coffee into the brewing container. Next pour about 4 cups of cold water over the grounds, and allow it to sit a few minutes. Then fill the rest of the container, cover, and let it sit undisturbed for about 10-12 hours. At the end of the brewing period, remove the plug from the bottom, and place the container on the glass carafe. The coffee liquor will filter into the carafe (15-30 minutes), which can then be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

Cold brewing yields a very versatile coffee. It can be easily stored for later use, and is far less volatile than hot brewed coffee. To make a cup to drink, you simply add 1/4 coffee concentrate, to 3/4 hot or cold water (or milk). The resulting cup of coffee is very mild. It gives you the flavor of your favorite coffee, with about 2/3 less acidity than a hot brewed coffee. This is one of the preferred methods for making iced coffees, and since there is little to no effort after initial brewing, it is by far the most convenient brewing method whether you like your coffee hot or cold.