Making great coffee at home is a hot topic – the rising popularity of the at-home coffee bar is proof. But what makes for a flawless cup of joe? Ashley Bolton of Northern Espresso, in Alliston, Ont., and renowned coffee expert James Hoffman have shared the need-to-know tips on how to make the perfect brew.

Six pro tips for better coffee at home

1. Use fresh beans (and store them right!)

Only grind coffee beans when you’re about to brew. This prevents oxidation, which will in turn prevent CO2 and moisture loss, thereby ensuring your brew retains its optimal flavour and aroma. Another benefit: that fresh-ground-coffee smell!

2. Grind right for your brew method

The right grind helps ensure a rich and balanced brew. For standard coffeemakers, as well as the AeroPress, siphons and pour-overs, set your grinder to medium. For cold brewing, French presses and percolators, use a coarser grind. For espresso, moka pots and Turkish coffee brewing, use the fine-grind setting.

Espresso: very fine
Pour-over or V60: medium fine
French press: coarse

3. Measure coffee and water precisely

Use a gram scale to measure your beans and water. The ideal ratio is 1 g of freshly ground coffee to 15 to 17 g of water. This method guarantees the precision of each brew, allowing a consistently tasty coffee every time.

4. Make sure you keep that water hot

In order to make a perfect coffee extraction – across all methods of brewing – water temperature needs to be maintained between 195˚F and 205˚F or 90.5˚C and 96.1˚C. (James Hoffmann recommends starting with hot water if you’re using an entry-level brewer to help achieve the ideal temperature.)

5. Experiment with brewing styles

Do a little recreational research. Beyond drip coffee, consider a French press or the steeped-and-filtered method to get that fully extracted, full-bodied flavour and aroma you’re hoping for with every cup. (Note: Hoffmann advocates side-by-side comparative sipping!) If you’re interested in making espresso and espresso-based drinks, read our guide here.

6. Clean your equipment regularly

Clean your machines regularly to prevent calcium buildup. A weekly run-through with 2 to 4 cups of vinegar does the trick. A water softener provides a more stable pH-balanced water; otherwise, using alkaline water or purified spring water works. If you have hard water, try a descaling product to break down built-up oils.