Creating the perfect cup of coffee involves six critical steps. While each individual's "Perfect Cup" may be different, the critical elements are the same:

Selection: Whether selecting a varietal or a blend, it is essential that the coffee bean be of the highest quality. The species, age, method of harvesting, processing, storage, and grade of coffee are critical to the taste.

Roasting: To taste good, coffee must be fresh. This means that it must be freshly roasted, freshly ground and freshly brewed. If you don't know when or where your coffee was roasted you may be buying coffee that is stale or treated to preserve freshness.

Storage: Ideally coffee should be ground, brewed and consumed as soon after roasting as possible. Exposure to heat, air or water will severely affect the quality. After we deliver the beans, they should be stored in a clean, cool, area away from direct sunlight. If possible, transfer the beans into airtight containers. We do not recommend storing coffee in refrigerators or freezers since beans may take on flavors of other foods.

Grinding: Grind the coffee only when ready to use. Grinding destroys the natural protective shell and dramatically accelerates the loss of freshness. The size of the grind is also critical to the taste. A grind that is too-fine or too-coarse will result in over- or under- extraction.

Brewing: The single most important factor in brewing a good cup of coffee is the water. Make sure the water is free of any odors or tastes. Use bottled or filtered water at all times. Brewing equipment must be kept clean and the proper ratio of coffee to water is essential.

Serving: For best results, serve coffee fresh in a pre-heated cup. Preserve the freshness and quality of the remaining coffee by storing it in an insulated carafe.

If you have questions about prepare the "Perfect Cup", contact us at
roaster@carmel-coffee.com