Buzz buzz! What's that? Your coffee telling you it's time to mix it up a bit! (Getty)
If your morning coffee's feeling a little bean there, done that, it's time to up your game. You could invest in a new drip coffee maker — or heck, go true barista-style and get an espresso machine. Or you could simply follow these expert tricks for how to make the best coffee using whatever brewing method you like most.
When you drink it in moderation, coffee has numerous health benefits, including helping with weight management and reducing the risk of certain diseases like Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. (If you're like me, it can also be a convincing reason to get out of bed, period.) No wonder daily java consumption is higher than it's been in 20 years!
The pros we spoke to had different takes on the ideal brewing method, but they all agreed that to make the best cup of coffee, you need to put in a little work. I know, I know, that's a lot to ask when you've just woken up, but taking a few simple steps like measuring your grinds — versus just dumping them into your coffee maker — and researching the beans you buy can make a huge difference. They also had tips for sweetening up your cup, plus suggestions for coffee-making essentials no java nerd should be without. Smooth sipping ahead!
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The more info listed on your bag of coffee, the better, says Jeff Daniels, director of sales for Non-Fiction Coffee Co. "I look for details like elevation, sub-region, farm or farmer names, and processing methods. The more information, the more confidence I have in the quality of the green coffee and the intentionality behind its sourcing."
Lauren Abendroth, director of research and development at Death Wish Coffee Co., also checks for callouts that the beans are organic and Fair Trade USA certified, "which indicates higher coffee quality since it is sustainably sourced and held to rigorous standards."
No matter what you buy, "Always use freshly roasted coffee; anything within three weeks of the initial roast date should still be vibrant and strong," says Bobby Winston, director of coffee for French Truck Coffee.
Fancy your java with a side of adaptogens? This organic blend is made with lion's mane and chaga mushrooms, which can help promote stress relief and mental clarity. FYI, this coffee is the No. 3 bestseller on Amazon after Starbucks and Illy — and it has more than 16,500 five-star reviews.
Ceylon cinnamon can make coffee (both black and with milk) taste sweeter, as if you mixed in a bit of sugar. It has other benefits, too: Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and studies have shown that it can even help lower blood glucose and cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes.
I've reviewed many coffee makers for Yahoo, and I used both Peet's and this blend from Stumptown for my tests. It's a pleasant medium roast that gets more than 2,500 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers. It also comes at an easy-to-swallow price, especially for organic whole bean coffee, which often runs upwards of $15.
Abendroth's company bills itself as making some of the strongest java in the world: Its instant coffee contains 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving! Death Wish's roasted coffees have a lower caffeine content but still pack a flavor punch. Just ask the 42,500+ shoppers who have given these low-acid, aromatic ground beans a five-star review.
"A conical burr coffee grinder will take your morning coffee ritual to the next level," says Abendroth.
This Cuisinart is Amazon's No. 1 bestselling burr grinder, with more than 29,600 five-star ratings. It has 18 settings from ultra-coarse to ultra-fine and an 8-ounce hopper, which is big enough to hold half a standard bag of beans.
Originally designed for backpackers and campers, Airscape stainless steel containers use a patented technology to remove oxygen, which helps keep coffee fresh and flavorful. This canister comes in seven colors including matte black and brushed copper and earned an impressive 4.8 stars from 8,300 reviews.
For about a third of the price, you lose the timer, but you do get a liquid crystal display and six units of measurement, including ounces, carats, grains, troy ounces and pennyweight. Plus, the scale's lid doubles as a tray to help contain grounds. More than 7,400 Amazon shoppers are five-star fans.
Many companies sell either whole beans or ground coffee, but French Truck offers different grinds depending on how you plan to prep your joe, whether it's iced, drip or French press (the company also sells whole beans). This medium roast is made with a blend of East African and South American coffees, and $1 from every bag goes to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Foundation.
With notes of cocoa, almond, and toffee, these beans will make a solid cup of joe. They're grown in Honduras by Finca Terrerito, a family of fifth-generation specialty coffee farmers who follow sustainable practices.
Daniels calls the Encore "a great entry-level grinder." It has a whopping 40 grind settings, and at about 6-inches-by-5-inches, it won't take up a lot of space on your counter.
Winston uses a Fellow grinder and a scale at home to ensure his brew comes out perfect every time. Yes, this is a pricey pick, but a couple of our experts love this brand for coffee gear.
"For those who value an emphasis on aesthetics along with performance, Fellow offers stunning grinders, scales and other brewing tools that elevate both your coffee and your kitchen," says Daniels. "I have never used or owned a Fellow product that I didn't love."
Daniels's pick doesn't just weigh beans — it also has an integrated timer, "ideal for pour-over brewing," he says. Its slim shape makes it easy to store, but if you'd rather leave it out on the counter, for a few bucks more you could nab it in white, pink or teal, perfect for showing off!
Stash a 1-pound bag of coffee in this durable, airtight canister — it even comes with a scoop that attaches to the underside of the lid so you can easily transfer your beans to a grinder. The tinted plastic ensures protection from sunlight and is dishwasher-safe.
Many baristas like oat milk because it froths as well as dairy milk, and Oatly is a popular go-to (the brand became popular in the U.S. by partnering with coffee shops around the country). The Barista edition was formulated to taste especially good in hot drinks, with 3% fat content and an extra-creamy texture.
If you look behind the counter at most cafes, you'll spot bottles of Torani syrup with their signature gold pumps. The brand makes nearly every flavor imaginable, including coffee-house favorites like French vanilla and hazelnut. This cane sugar syrup is as classic a sweetener as it gets.
Cubes or orbs? You can have both with this set, which comes with two silicone trays, one for making 2-inch square ice cubes and one for making 2-inch ice balls.
It's always a good idea to buy whole bean coffee: "Keeping beans whole allows them to last longer," says Shane Schaibly, senior vice president of culinary strategy at First Watch. And if you do, make sure you're grinding the beans to the right coarseness for your brewing method.
"Too fine of a grind leads to over-extraction, which is another term for bitterness," says Abendroth. "Finer ground coffee should be used when the contact time between the coffee and the water is very short (i.e. a 60-second pod brew), while more coarse grind sizes should be used for brew methods that require longer contact time between the coffee and the water (i.e French Press)."
One of the biggest mistakes people make when brewing coffee is using the wrong amount of grounds. "Most coffee brands typically provide optimal coffee-to-water ratios based on their research to ensure a balanced and smooth cup. Definitely pay attention to this!" says Abendroth. "When the ratio is off, the resulting brewed cup can taste over-extracted (bitter) or under-extracted (watery)."
Or just follow the standard ratio: 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water, which works out to be about 2 tablespoons of grounds for every 6 fluid ounces of water. You can play around with this, though. "If you prefer a stronger brew, try 1:15. For lighter roasts that need a bit more extraction, experiment with 1:17," suggests Daniels.
To ensure every cuppa you make tastes great, use a scale. "Coffee, like cooking or baking, benefits from precision," he adds. "Many people overlook the importance of using a recipe and instead 'eyeball it,' which can lead to inconsistent results."
Fresh beans mean better-tasting coffee, so make sure you store them in an airtight container that's not clear and not glass, says Schaibly. "Heat, light and moisture are all damaging to the quality of the beans," he explains. Look for a cool, dry and dark place that's away from windows, the stove and any strong-smelling items — i.e. don't keep coffee with your spices! The same goes for ground coffee.
Sure, you could use your regular old creamer or milk and sugar, but the pros we spoke to had other ideas in mind. "For unflavored coffee, adding a pinch of a fresh spice like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger can result in an elevated coffee experience and a little extra cozy feeling, especially in the colder months," says Abendroth.
As for creamer, both Daniels and Winston like oat milk: "It has enough body to hold up to and pair well with coffee but is also relatively neutral, so the coffee taste still comes through," says Winston. Want to sweeten things up? "Honey and simple syrup pair well with coffee without overpowering the original blend's taste," he adds. "During the summer, I'll throw [some] cold brew concentrate, ice, oat milk and honey in the blender for a homemade frappe kind of beverage."
Attention, all you iced coffee people: You don't have to suffer through a watery brew just because you prefer things chilled. "One unexpected thing I like to use is the large cocktail-style ice cubes for my iced coffee because it keeps the iced coffee cold without diluting it too quickly," says Winston. You could also freeze cold coffee in ice cube trays for an extra boost of flavor.
