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Ready to transform your kitchen into a coffee lover’s paradise?
If you’re new to the coffee game, you’ll hear the words ‘freshly ground beans’ more than you’ll care to admit. Truth is, starting with great coffee is step one to unlocking a cozy kitchen. But where do you begin?
These days you can spend a ton of money on gadgets you don’t need. Meanwhile, some basic kitchen essentials are overlooked entirely.
Don’t fall into that trap.
Coffee gear can be easy to navigate if you know what you’re looking for. With helpful gadgets and quality beans in your kitchen, anybody can make café-quality specialty coffee in the comfort of their own home.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why Fresh Whole Bean Coffee Is Best
- Coffee Kitchen Essentials For Beginners
- How To Choose Great Coffee Beans
- Setting Up Your Coffee Station
Why Fresh Whole Bean Coffee Is Best
When it comes down to it… Everything starts with the beans.
You can buy all the coffee equipment in the world. But if you’re not using quality whole bean coffee, your cup isn’t going to taste very good.
Pre-ground coffee loses its flavour fast. Whole bean coffee maintains freshness right up until you’re ready to brew. That’s why most serious coffee drinkers grind their coffee fresh — It’s the single best improvement you can make.
Coffee drinkers everywhere agree. Specialty coffee has surpassed regular coffee for the first time ever according to a recent National Coffee Association study. Everyday coffee consumers are looking for quality, and specialty coffee delivers. A coffee of the month subscription is one of the easiest ways to have a constant supply of fresh whole bean coffee delivered to your doorstep. Trying new roasts has never been more convenient.
Let’s brew!
Coffee Kitchen Essentials for Beginners
Alright, let’s dive into the good stuff. These kitchen essentials are what every coffee lover needs to create a cozy kitchen ambiance. No gimmicks — just the bare necessities to get you brewing.
A Burr Grinder
Hands down.
If you’re serious about making good coffee, you need a solid burr grinder. Burrs grind beans evenly every time, which allows for optimal extraction during the brewing process. Blade grinders chop beans unevenly resulting in weaker coffee. The grind is the foundation of a good brew. Don’t skimp here.
Pro tip: Burr grinders are surprisingly affordable. While higher-end grinders exist, you don’t need to spend too much to find something that works. There are plenty of quality options under $100.
A Brewing Method You’ll Actually Use
Coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes. Choose one that you’ll actually use daily. A few popular ways to brew coffee at home include:
- Pour over
- French press
- AeroPress
- Drip machine
Once you choose your weapon of choice, commit to it. There’s no need to own every single coffee brewing method known to mankind. Focus on one, and learn how to make it properly.
Storage Containers
This one is often missed, but is quite important.
Coffee’s 3 biggest enemies are air, moisture, and light. By storing your beans in a sealed opaque container, your beans will stay fresh longer. That gorgeous bag your beans came in? It’s fine for up to a week. But for long-term storage, grab an airtight container.
A Gooseneck Kettle
Pour overs and other manual brewing methods require precise control over the water you pour. A gooseneck kettle allows you to do just that. A kettle with adjustable temperature settings is even better.
Note: Ideal brewing temp lies between 195°F – 205°F. Temperatures hotter will result in a bitter brew. Temperatures too cool will give you a weak, flavourless cup of coffee.
Kitchen Scale
Did you know most people pour coffee grounds into their brewer without measuring? Guessing on how much coffee to use is one of the most common mistakes amateur coffee makers make.
A simple kitchen scale can help you determine the proper coffee to water ratio. Consistency is key when it comes to brewing delicious coffee at home.
How To Find Great Beans
It’s one thing to have the equipment, it’s another to use it with great beans.
As you start brewing coffee at home, buying whole bean coffee can be daunting. Beans from different roasters and regions taste different. Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for the perfect bean.
- Roast date: Look for bags roasted within the last 2-4 weeks.
- Try different coffee origins: Ethiopian coffee beans will taste nothing like Colombian beans.
- Roast levels matter too: Light roast coffee is great for pour overs, while darker roasts work better in a French press.
- Read the flavour notes: Flavour notes aren’t all a gimmick. They actually give you a pretty good idea of what you’ll taste in your cup.
Picking out the perfect beans can be difficult at first. But once you find a roast you love, start there and explore from there. Checking the roast date and reading flavour notes will help you find great coffee every time.
Something else to note: Coffee brewed at home is becoming more popular every year. In fact, according to the latest NCA report, 83% of daily coffee drinkers prepare their coffee at home. As more people brew at home, exploring and finding great coffee beans is more important now than ever.
Setting Up Your Coffee Station
This one’s important!
In order for your kitchen to be coffee cozy, you need a coffee station. Find a spot in your kitchen that makes sense for you and build from there. Don’t feel like you need to have an elaborate coffee corner setup.
Keep it simple.
Start with counter space for your grinder, brew method, kettle, and coffee beans. This small collection of kitchen essentials will help streamline your coffee making process. Grab a tray or shelf to keep everything together.
Add personal touches.
Now it’s time to make the coffee corner your own. A favourite mug or coffee mug rack. A small plant on the counter. Even putting your beans on display in a cute jar. Small details like these can make your coffee station feel extra special.
Keep your coffee rituals simple. Great coffee and brewing gear. That’s all you need to make your kitchen coffee cozy.
Let’s Wrap This Up!
Coffee kitchens don’t have to be complicated. Nor do you need to spend hundreds of dollars on kitchen essentials you’ll never use. To wrap things up, here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to build a coffee cozy kitchen:
- Start with freshly ground specialty whole bean coffee
- Invest in a quality burr grinder
- Choose a brewing method and practice, practice, practice
- Store your beans properly and pay attention to roast dates
- Create a coffee station that works for you
Consumers are flocking to specialty coffee at home and they’re willing to spend money on a quality brew. All you need now is a cozy kitchen to pair it with.
Enjoy!
