Brought to you by Woolworths

Coffee culture is definitely here to stay, and most of us look forward to starting the day with our favourite brew. But when you can’t swing by your local coffee shop and need to do the brewing yourself, there are definitely some tips for making sure you’re getting the best cup possible. In celebration of International Coffee Day on 1 October, we spoke to the experts at Woolworths to get the inside scoop on how to prepare the perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home.

Your coffee, your way

When it comes to describing the perfect cup of coffee, perfection is ultimately in the eye of the brew-holder. That means that the perfect brew is the one you enjoy most, and everyone has different tastes and preferences for their coffee. We’re not just talking about whether you take milk (hot or cold) or sugar, either. From rich, dark-roasted espressos to lighter, medium-roasted plunger coffee, the myriad flavours that can be coaxed from the humble coffee bean is the key to its global popularity. And with Woolworths’ wide range of ground and whole bean coffees, it’s no different. The same coffee can be prepared using different brewing methods and the result will be coffees that have completely different tastes. Woolworths’ coffee packaging gives budding baristas brewing tips and recommendations for each product or blend.

Grounds, methods and temperatures

Different brewing methods require different coffee grind sizes, and your brewing method of choice will determine whether you need to buy ground coffee or whole roasted beans that you grind at home. Woolworths’ ground coffee range is ideally suited to French press (or plunger), pour-over (including drip machines) and Mokapot (Bialetti) brewing methods, whereas a finer grind is required if you are looking to achieve espresso extraction. Currently, Woolworths’ bestselling coffee is its Italian blend, which is blended according to a special recipe, darkly roasted to perfection and ground to the perfect grind size for everyday use – it’s an excellent starting point for your java journey. Experiment with 1–2 tablespoons of coffee per cup to find the strength that’s best for you, stick to filtered water and unbleached filter bags where possible, and like most things, freshly made is better– reheated coffee will never be up to par.

Rethink your storage

Storage guidelines aim to limit exposure to three elements that could accelerate ageing and result in flavour loss: heat, moisture, and oxygen. Woolworths advises customers to store roasted ground coffee and beans in a cool and dry place, ideally in an airtight container after the packet has been opened. If you’ve been storing your coffee in your fridge, you might want to reconsider.

Repeatedly taking the coffee in and out of the fridge to be used will cause temperature changes, allowing condensation to form and exposing the coffee to moisture. Absorbing moisture displaces the essential oils in coffee and accelerates ageing, which negatively affects the taste. Ground coffee and beans should always be stored in an airtight container after the packaging is opened to limit oxidation. Exposure to oxygen causes the breakdown of coffee acids, which will compromise the aromatic oils and result in a loss of flavour.

Sourced with care

Woolworths’ coffee beans, ground and capsules are 100% Arabica, expertly sourced and locally roasted; all of which are selected through a specific selection process, which includes visits to plantations and interaction with farmers. The aim is to source coffee that reflects the particular flavour profile of each producing country and to develop partnerships with growers and exporters.

So, whether you prefer a light breakfast blend or find yourself reaching for the dark-roasted beans harvested from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in the heart of Tanzania, your perfect cup of coffee can be made in your very own home.

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