Secrets to preparing the perfect cup of coffee

This article, adapted from a video by Ahmed Al-Hani from his series of tips for coffee shop owners , explores the importance of extraction in the world of specialty coffee . Many baristas and coffee shop owners notice differences in flavor between cups, and this is due to a lack of understanding of the factors affecting the extraction process .
Here we will learn in a simple and fun way what extraction is, how it can be controlled, and why it is the secret behind preparing a balanced and perfect coffee.

We invite you to watch the full video by Ahmed Al-Hani from the series of tips for coffee shop owners to learn about everything related to the coffee extraction process and how to control it to get the best flavor in a cup of coffee.

Coffee extraction is the process by which the soluble components of coffee beans are dissolved by hot water. The greater the surface area that the water comes into contact with the coffee, the faster and more efficient the extraction process.
Coffee contains about 30% soluble substances by weight , while the rest consists of fibers and insoluble elements.
However, not all of these materials need to be extracted, because:

• If the extraction is excessive, bitter and harsh flavors will appear, resembling a woody taste .

• If the extraction is incomplete, the taste will be sour, weak, and incomplete .

• The ideal coffee is characterized by a delicate balance of sweetness, bitterness, and mild acidity , with a rich flavor that lingers pleasantly and acceptably in the mouth.

Knowing that coffee has been extracted correctly depends primarily on the taste and characteristics that appear in the cup.

There are several indicators of extraction quality, including:

1. Flavor balance: There should be a balance between sweetness, acidity, and bitterness, so that no flavor overpowers the others.

2. A complex and rich taste: Good coffee has multiple layers of flavors that gradually unfold with each sip.

3. Clear sweetness: The presence of natural sweetness gives a feeling of satisfaction and smoothness in taste.

4. Mild and acceptable acidity: Acidity should be balanced and mild, adding vitality without being sharp or irritating.

5. A taste that lasts in the mouth: After you finish drinking, the taste of the coffee should remain in the mouth in a pleasant and comfortable way, reflecting the quality of the extraction.

If you notice that your coffee tastes too bitter, too sour, or too weak, this indicates that the extraction is unbalanced and needs adjustments to factors such as extraction time, water temperature, or grind size. Observing these signs and experimenting with adjustments is an important step towards achieving the perfect cup of coffee.

Extraction does not happen by chance, but depends on several key variables, including:

1. Grind size

2. Water temperature

3. Extraction time

4. Coffee to water ratio (ratio)

5. Water quality

6. Additional factors such as agitation and filter type

In the following sections, we will expand on the explanation of each of these factors to understand their impact and how to control them to get the best cup of coffee.

• The ideal temperature, according to the recommendations of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), is between 90 and 96 degrees Celsius .

  • If the temperature is lower → extraction is slow and weak.

  • If it's higher → extraction is faster and flavors are bitter.

  • advice:
    If you don't have a thermometer, boil the water and wait one minute before preparing.

• Note:
  The roast level of the coffee beans significantly affects the ideal water temperature for extraction. Lighter roasts typically require higher water temperatures within the optimal range (e.g., 94-96°C) because they are denser and need more heat to fully extract their flavors. Darker roasts, on the other hand, are roasted for a longer period, resulting in more brittle beans that are easier to extract. Therefore, a lower water temperature (around 90-92°C) is preferable to avoid over-extraction, which can lead to a bitter and harsh taste. Adjusting the water temperature according to the roast level is essential for achieving the perfect balance of coffee flavor.

Extraction time is a crucial factor that significantly impacts the flavor and quality of coffee. The longer the coffee grounds are in contact with water, the more soluble compounds are extracted, resulting in more concentrated and deeper flavors. However, this time must be carefully controlled, as excessively long extraction can lead to a bitter and harsh taste, while too short extraction can produce weak and acidic coffee.

The ideal extraction time varies depending on the preparation method used; for example:

• Espresso: Extraction time ranges from 25 to 30 seconds, as this type requires a quick and intensive extraction to obtain a rich flavor and thick body.

• V60: Takes about two and a half to three minutes, allowing for a balanced and multi-layered extraction of flavors.

• French Press: It requires about 4 minutes of steeping, to give coffee a heavier body and deeper, richer flavors.

It's important to consider the extraction time along with other factors such as water temperature and grind size, as these factors interact to determine the final taste of the coffee. Precisely timing the brewing process helps achieve the ideal balance of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness in a cup.

The coffee-to-water ratio is a key factor that directly affects the final taste and strength of coffee. Generally, a 1:15 ratio is recommended, meaning for every 1 gram of coffee, add 15 grams or milliliters of water. For example, if you use 20 grams of coffee, the appropriate amount of water would be approximately 300 ml.

This ratio is an excellent starting point for achieving a good balance between strength and flavor, but it can be adjusted to personal taste. If you prefer a stronger, more concentrated coffee, you can reduce the amount of water used, aiming for a ratio between 1:15 and 1:18 . Conversely, increasing the amount of water will result in a lighter, less concentrated coffee.

Controlling this ratio allows you to adjust the coffee's strength to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a rich, concentrated cup or a light, refreshing one. Therefore, experimenting with different ratios while keeping the other brewing ingredients constant will help you achieve the perfect cup that reflects your personal taste.

Drip coffee is composed of up to 98% water , so the quality of the water used plays a crucial role in determining the final coffee flavor. It is essential to choose clean, pure water, free from impurities, odors, or excess salts that could negatively affect the taste.

For best results, use high-quality filtered or bottled water, as this helps bring out the true flavors of the coffee without any strange or unwanted aftertaste. If using tap water, it's best to use a home water filter to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and impurities.

Also, attention should be paid to the water hardness; very hard water can make coffee bitter or unbalanced, while very soft water can lead to poor extraction and a bland flavor. Therefore, medium-hard water is recommended for optimal flavor balance.

In short, take care of the quality of the water as you take care of the coffee beans themselves, because water is the key element that determines the success or failure of preparing the perfect cup of coffee.

Stirring plays a crucial role in improving coffee extraction, as it helps distribute hot water evenly over the ground coffee beans , preventing clumps or poorly extracted areas. This balanced distribution ensures that all coffee particles are exposed to water equally, resulting in a consistent and flavorful extraction.

The effect of stirring can be likened to dissolving sugar in water; when you stir sugar in a glass of water, the stirring significantly speeds up the dissolution process compared to leaving it undisturbed. Similarly, stirring coffee during brewing, especially in methods like the V60, enhances the speed and efficiency of extraction. This helps distribute water more evenly throughout the coffee grounds and prevents the coffee from clumping in one spot, allowing for a faster and more efficient extraction of the coffee's flavors.

However, stirring should be moderate and balanced, as excessive stirring can lead to over-extraction, which undesirably alters the coffee's flavor, such as increasing bitterness or disrupting the balance between sweetness and acidity. Therefore, controlling the method and amount of stirring is an important skill that baristas and coffee lovers should learn to achieve the desired flavor in their cup.

The type of filter plays a crucial role in determining the body and final taste of coffee, due to how it handles the natural oils present in the coffee beans during the extraction process. These oils carry concentrated flavors and add depth and richness to the coffee, but the way they pass through or are trapped varies depending on the filter type, directly impacting the drinking experience.

• Metal filter (like a French press): This filter features a metal mesh that allows most oils and fine particles to pass through into the cup, giving the coffee a heavier body and a richer, more intense flavor. This type of filter preserves the coffee's flavors almost completely, but it may leave some sediment in the cup, adding a raw, natural taste to the mouth.

• Paper filter (like the V60): A paper filter absorbs a significant portion of the oils and fine particles during filtration, resulting in a cleaner, lighter cup of coffee. Coffee filtered with a paper filter is characterized by its purer and clearer flavors, with less bitterness or heavy aftertaste that can be caused by oils. This type of filter is suitable for those who prefer a smooth, balanced coffee with distinct flavor profiles.

• Cloth filters (like siphon filters): This type falls between metal and paper filters in terms of oil permeability. It allows some oils to pass through, adding depth to the flavor, but also traps some impurities, creating a balance between a rich body and a clear brew. Cloth filters require regular care and cleaning to maintain their quality and prevent them from affecting the coffee's taste.

In short, the type of filter you choose directly affects how the oils and flavors are extracted from the coffee beans, and therefore the final taste, density, and body. Understanding this effect helps you choose the right filter based on your personal preferences and preferred brewing method.

When you master the various variables such as grind size, water temperature, brewing time, coffee-to-water ratio, and water quality, you will be able to create your own recipe and experiment with adjustments until you reach the perfect cup that expresses your taste and identity as a coffee shop.

For more tips, follow the Coffee Giant YouTube channel. New videos and tips to improve the quality of your coffee shop.

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