Latté avec un sac de café en grain de 94 celcius

Mistakes to avoid when preparing specialty coffee: Tips for preparing your coffee like a pro

published on October 23, 2024 — by Marc-Alexandre Emond-Boisjoly — 15 mins of reading —

Preparing a specialty coffee is an art, yet even the most passionate coffee connoisseur can sometimes make mistakes that affect the quality of their beverage. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned amateur, it's essential to adopt the right practices to get the most out of your coffee beans. In this article, we'll review the most common mistakes to avoid when preparing your coffee. You'll learn how to brew coffee like a pro and get the best possible flavor in every cup.

Why worry about preparation?

There's a lot more to making good specialty coffee than choosing the right beans. It's also about mastering certain techniques and avoiding common mistakes that can turn an exceptional coffee into a disappointing cup. Preparation errors, such as using the wrong water or the wrong temperature, can greatly affect the taste, texture and aroma of the coffee. By adopting best practices, you can optimize every step of the preparation process and transform your coffee-tasting experience.

Chemex versé dans une tasse. Un sac de 94 celcius torréfacteur de café est présent au fond de l'image

1. Use poor quality water

One of the most common and underestimated mistakes is to use poor quality water. Around 98% of a cup of coffee is water, which means that the quality of this water directly influences the taste of your coffee. Using tap water, which is often rich in minerals and chlorine, can alter the taste of your coffee.

Tip: Always use filtered or bottled water for pure coffee with no unpleasant aftertaste. For an even more convenient and optimal solution, try the Third Wave Water limited edition by 94 celcius. These sachets are specially formulated to adjust the level of minerals in the water, guaranteeing perfect extraction and a cup with a balanced taste, without impurities or compromising on flavour.

2. Grind coffee too early

Another common mistake is to grind coffee well before preparing it. Once the beans are ground, they quickly begin to lose their aromas and flavours through oxidation. If you let your ground coffee stand for too long, you'll lose much of the subtle flavor that makes good coffee so rich.

Tip: To preserve the freshness of your coffee, grind your beans just before brewing. This ensures optimum extraction of flavours. Investing in a quality coffee grinder can also make all the difference.

3. Neglecting the right water temperature

Water temperature is a key factor in coffee brewing. If your water is too hot, it risks burning the beans and giving your coffee a bitter taste. Conversely, if it's too cold, it won't extract enough aroma, leaving your coffee bland and lacking in character.

Tip: The ideal temperature for brewing coffee is between 90°C and 96°C. If you don't have a kettle with temperature control, simply let your water boil, then wait 30 to 45 seconds before using it.

4. Use the wrong coffee/water ratio

The ratio between ground coffee and water is essential for a balanced coffee. Many novices tend to either under- or over-dose the coffee, leading either to a cup that's too weak, or a drink that's too bitter and strong.

Tip: A good starting point is to follow a ratio of 60 grams of coffee for 1 liter of water. Depending on your preferences, you can adjust this ratio, but using a scale to measure your coffee and water can help you achieve consistent results.

5. Neglecting coffee freshness

The freshness of the coffee beans is another key factor in making a good specialty coffee. Using coffee that was roasted several months ago is a common mistake. Over time, the beans lose their essential oils and aromatic complexity.

Tip: Always buy freshly roasted coffee and consume it within 2 to 4 weeks of the roasting date to ensure a full-flavoured cup. If possible, store your beans in an airtight container away from light and air.

6. Forgetting to preheat your cup

It may seem trivial, but pouring hot coffee into a cold cup can instantly lower the temperature of your beverage, affecting the perception of its aroma and texture.

Tip: Before serving your coffee, rinse your cup with hot water to temper it. This will keep your coffee at the ideal temperature for longer.

Prise de note sur papier avec crayon et un café

7. Use dirty tools

One of the most common mistakes is neglecting to clean your coffee maker, grinder or other preparation tools. Residues of coffee oils can build up over time and alter the taste of your future preparations.

Tip: Clean your equipment regularly to eliminate residues. For example, run your coffee grinder under clear water and give it a thorough cleaning at least once a month to maintain a pure taste in your cup.

8. Choosing the wrong grind size

Each coffee-making method requires a specific grind size. A grind too fine for a plunger coffee maker can make the coffee muddy and bitter, while a grind too coarse for an espresso can make the beverage too weak.

Tip: Be sure to adapt the grind size to your brewing method. For example, a fine grind is perfect for espresso, while a coarser grind is better suited to a method such as the French press.

9. Do not adjust the grind according to the brewing method.

One of the easiest mistakes to avoid, but one that is often overlooked, is not adjusting the grind size to suit the brewing method you're using. Each brewing method (filter, espresso, French press) needs a suitable grind to extract all its aromas.

Tip: Take the time to understand the needs of each preparation method and adjust accordingly. Using a mill with multiple grind settings can simplify your task and improve your results.

10. Use poor quality coffee

As obvious as it may seem, bean quality is fundamental to good coffee. Even with perfect technique, if your beans are of mediocre quality, the result will never live up to your expectations.

Tip: Invest in specialty coffee like the one offered by 94 Celcius. Not only are these coffees expertly roasted, they are also sustainably sourced and carefully selected for their exceptional flavor.

Conclusion: Prepare your coffee like a pro

By avoiding these common mistakes and applying these best practices, you'll be one step closer to excellence in the preparation of your specialty coffee. Remember that every detail counts, from water quality and grind size to water temperature and equipment cleanliness. By following these tips, you'll not only be able to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee every time, but also impress your friends with your barista skills.

For best results, remember to use freshly roasted beans, available from 94 Celcius where we are committed to providing you with top-quality specialty coffees from the world's finest plantations.

Enjoy your coffee!

Tags: Café de spécialité Découverte

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