Have you ever heard the term “filter coffee?” We say it in the cafe sometimes, and maybe you’ve heard it elsewhere. Coffee brewing essentially breaks down into two categories: espresso and filter. To understand filter coffee you have to understand basic filter theory. We’re going to go over just a few basic principles to launch you into the world of filter.

Grinders either fall into the category of burr or blade. Burr grinders are a little higher-end and therefore tend to be more expensive. Average coffee consumers usually opt for a blade grinder because of its attractive price point. Although burr grinders are more ideal for coffee grinding, you can still yield a quality cup with a blade grinder. Let's explore optimizing blade grinders. There are two obvious potential problems with typical blade grinders that you want to watch out for: gauging the correct grind size and even particle size. 

Starting yourself out with coffee gear can be a pretty penny--hats off to you if you can get it all in one go--but there is hope for those who don't want to break bank just to brew coffee at home. While some brewing methods require a special gooseneck kettle or other special equipment, there are some really great brewing methods to start off with very little equipment. Here are some of our favorite options:

Water is extremely important in coffee-brewing (it is the majority of the beverage, after all). While brewing, the hot water extracts tastes from the grounds to turn plain water into delicious coffee. This happens through chemical bonding, where the particles in the coffee bond to the particles in the water. Differences in water can disrupt this process and undermine the deliciousness of the coffee. There are two common problems people make with water choices, and both are easily avoidable.