Like clockwork, the cues of cooler weather seem to immediately beckon a cup of something warm. It’s a moment to slow down and take in the senses with fresh awareness. Coffee, though a year-round favorite, feels especially tailored to the rhythms of cooler weather. So, in an effort to better our barista skills this season, we chatted with one of our talented team members at Magnolia Press Coffee Co. for a few tips on crafting that delicious sip.
Below, you’ll find some expert pointers on everything from choosing the right coffee beans to getting the best froth in your milk. No matter your skill level, we’re here to help you brew it.
Tips for Preparing Your Coffee Beans
Coffee beans are the starting point for your brew and can vary greatly in flavor. Light roast beans are roasted at lower temperature allowing for complex flavors—and, you guessed it, are lighter in color. Dark roast beans are heated longer, have a richer, smokier flavor profile, and will be fuller (“thicker,” oilier) when brewed. Finally, medium roast is just that: the body, flavor, and color of the beans balance the qualities of both light and dark roasts.
Roast time is only a small component of the overall flavor profile. Some beans might take on a bright, floral flavor, while others feature hints of cocoa or cinnamon. If you enjoy pairing your coffee with food, the flavors you choose will also impact the taste or texture of your brew. As a general rule, lighter roasts go well with lighter bites and darker roasts bring out the rich flavors of more complicated dishes—but, you can also try contrasting flavors and textures for balance.
If you’re starting with whole beans (recommended for the best flavor), try to grind them as close as possible to preparation. However, the flavor shouldn’t be affected too much if stored properly for a few days at a time. Pre-ground options can also work.
Take note of grind size, too. Every coffee (and grinder) is different, but here are a few general recommendations to get started:
Espresso
Single and double shots of espresso generally require fine, or “small” grounds. TIP: Let your espresso pull somewhere between 22-26 seconds for a proper shot. Enjoy or prepare immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Moka Pot + AeroPress
These two can get ambiguous—but they’re hard to mess up. Start with a medium-fine grind, coarser than a shot of espresso. TIP: It helps to go slow when pouring (or pushing). You can use an AeroPress filter for either of these methods to reduce sediment in your brew.
Pour Over + Drip Coffee
Both pour overs and automatic drip brewers call for a medium grind—though drip should be a bit coarser. TIP: Properly measure out your grounds-to-water ratio and make sure the grounds are entirely inside the filter before brewing.
French Press
A much slower brew, the french press requires a medium-coarse grind. TIP: After adding your water, let it sit for about 30 seconds then gently swirl the pot to “stir”.
Cold Brew
Coffee beans for cold brew can be ground very coarsely. TIP: Using fresh, filtered water can positively affect the flavor of the brew. Since this process is essentially “infusing” the water, you can also add other flavors, like a cinnamon stick or a few vanilla beans for added depth.
Our baristas at Magnolia Press Coffee Co. prefer to grind everything a bit coarser than these recommendations. If you aren’t quite sure what you like or which method to start with, order a few different drinks (or ask for help) from a local coffee shop.
Lastly, even serving temperature can affect the taste of your roast. For example, coffee enjoyed at lower temperatures will taste brighter, whereas higher temperatures might taste sweeter or more bitter (depending on how hot it is). If you already know what notes you prefer in a cup of coffee, it could be worth researching an ideal temperature range alongside bean origin and other information.
Tips for Adding Milk
Milk can make all the difference in your cup of coffee. There’s whole milk, low-fat, lactose-free, grass-fed, organic, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk… you get the idea.
Try a few different ones to start to see how they can affect the texture and flavor of your coffee. Once you’ve found a favorite, you can add it straight in—or, give frothing a try. We’d recommend starting with one inexpensive, easy-to-learn frothing method like heating milk and whisking it, shaking it in a jar, putting it in a blender, or using a frothing wand.
TIP: It can be helpful to start out with whole milk, then move to an oat, skim, coconut, or other alternatives as you learn. These consistencies are thinner and can be difficult to master as you’re learning the technique.
If you’re using an espresso machine with a steam wand, you could also try tearing the milk—this means moving the milk pitcher away from the top of the steam wand until you hear a sound like paper tearing. Here, you can keep steaming the milk until it reaches a paint-like consistency (a good test is if the bottom of the pitcher feels hot to your palm).
Once your milk reaches this consistency, try your hand at creating a latte art design! From leaves to hearts, our Press team recommends going nice and slow with a steady hand to try and make your design. Practice makes perfect!
Tips for Getting Creative With Coffee
The order in which you combine ingredients also factors into its taste. For example, if making an iced coffee with espresso, make sure to pull the shot and combine it with the milk before putting the drink over ice. Otherwise, you can create a more bitter, sour flavor.
TIP: A general rule of thumb for pouring order is:
syrup → coffee → milk → ice (if you want!)
As long as we’re talking about taste, it’s worth mentioning syrups and other add-ins. Some of our baristas’ favorites are cinnamon, cocoa powder, brown sugar, whipped cream, and the 1905 House Syrup from Magnolia Press Coffee Co.
Cold foam is another add-in we can’t get enough of around here. TIP: We make our cold foam at Magnolia Press Coffee Co. by blending heavy cream, whole milk, and a little bit of syrup.
Whether you go for a classic vanilla or add a little miso for a more umami flavor, you can mix-and-match almost anything you like to experiment for different flavor profiles in your coffee. Our final tip is to keep your area clean while you work. You may end up with a few surprise flavors (or textures) if you aren’t careful!
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- A Collection of Breakfast Recipes
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