Brew Perfect Coffee

Everyone has their favorite way to prepare coffee. Regardless of which brewing method you use, these tips will help you achieve the best results every time.

Water Quality and Temperature

Start with freshly drawn, filtered cold water and bring to a boil. The best temperature for brewing coffee is between 195 F and 205 F. This can be reached by letting your kettle rest 30 seconds after coming to a boil.

Measure Carefully

Making coffee is like following a recipe: the correct proportion of ingredients (in this case, coffee and water) is vital. We suggest using two heaping tablespoons of whole beans for every six ounces of water.

Grind Just Before Brewing

Many coffee lovers have a coffee grinder somewhere in their kitchen. Grinding before brewing ensures the freshest coffee by releasing the flavors and aromas inside the coffee beans so they can be savored in your cup.

Brew Only What You Plan to Drink

Freshly-roasted, freshly-brewed coffee should never sit around, but should be enjoyed as soon as possible. If coffee sits on a burner or is reheated, it will have a scorched taste and lose the aromatic complexity of the coffee.

Store Coffee in an Airtight Container

One of the most frequently asked questions we get at Peet’s is about coffee storage. We recommend that you keep a week’s worth of coffee in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature to protect it against the staling effects of heat, light, and moisture. Whole beans will keep up to four weeks, but ground coffee should be brewed within a week or two.