For many workplaces, coffee is the fuel needed to power through the day. A surefire way to be popular in your office is by being the guy or gal who knows how to brew the best cup of coffee.
If you find yourself in need of a big volume of coffee to rally the troops, there are certain techniques and considerations for achieving the best taste. Here is the best way to brew coffee for a group of people without sacrificing any quality.
Start With Good Coffee Beans
If you want to brew a great cup of coffee, you’ve got to start with quality beans. If you’re a coffee enthusiast, chances are you already know your favorite varieties. If you’re more of a coffee casual, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The two main types of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is generally considered better quality, and it’s usually pricier. Robusta is what most commercial coffee brands are.
Another factor is the roast of the beans. Light roasts have the mildest flavor, while dark roasts have the strongest flavor. If you’re not sure of the preferences of your coworkers, you can always choose to go with a middle-of-the-road medium roast.
Be sure to check the roast date of the beans before you buy them. You only want to use beans that were roasted within the last month in order to have the freshest tasting coffee.
Choose Your Coffee Maker
The type of coffee maker you use can have an impact on the way your brew turns out. Depending on the coffee maker in your office, there are certain things to keep in mind.
Drip Coffee Maker
The most common type found in many offices is the standard drip machine. Overall, it’s a good option for brewing large volumes of coffee. You can just put in the coffee and the water, set it, and come back in a few minutes to fresh coffee.
There are many different sizes of drip coffee maker as well, ranging from a few cups to gallons. However, it can be a little tricky to get a consistent flavor from drip coffee makers.
When making a large batch, the longer time it takes for the water to filter through the coffee can cause the brew to be slightly more bitter. You might need to do some trial and error to figure out the perfect amount of coffee to use to avoid this.
Also, make sure you have the right size filters for your coffee maker. No one likes crunchy coffee.
French Press
A large French press is another good option for brewing coffee for a group. It’s a little fancier and doesn’t require much more work than a drip coffee machine. Since you have to make the coffee in batches, it’s easier to get the flavor to be consistent.
However, it does take more time. And if you’re busy at work, you might not want to be running back and forth to the breakroom to make multiple batches for everyone.
Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee is gaining popularity and is a good option for making large batches of coffee. You can make cold brew concentrate ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
It’s known for being a great-tasting way to make coffee with a smooth finish and minimal bitterness. Another nice thing is cold brew doesn’t require much equipment: just a container and a strainer.
The major drawback is that cold brew takes at least 12 hours to steep. So if you need coffee right now, cold brew isn’t the way to go.
Know Your Ratios
The correct ratio for brewing coffee is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee to every 6 ounces of water. Some people like to tweak this according to their taste and type of coffee, but generally, following this guideline will help you make a well-balanced brew.
If you want to get really technical, the Specialty Coffee Association states that the ratio should be 55 grams of coffee per liter of water. However, many cold brew recipes use a higher coffee to water ratio, so make sure to do your research if you choose to make cold brew coffee.
Use Quality Water
Make sure to use good quality water to brew your coffee. If the office has so-so tasting tap water, consider using bottled water instead. Water can have a huge effect on the flavor of your brew.
Filtered water is the best choice because there are fewer minerals and chemicals to impact the flavor. Also, unfiltered water can cause buildup in your coffee maker. If you choose to use unfiltered water, be sure to clean your coffee maker regularly.
Serve It Up Fresh
Coffee tastes best when served right away. It can lose its flavor over time, and leaving it on heat can cause it to become bitter.
Clean Your Equipment
Whatever type of coffee maker you use, make sure your equipment is clean. Leftover residue can affect the taste of your coffee, and certain types of buildup can be bad for your health. Clean your coffee maker regularly to keep it functioning at its best.
The Best Way to Brew Coffee for Your Office
The method for brewing the best large batch of coffee is going to vary depending on the equipment you have available, how many people you’re brewing for, and your personal tastes. Doing a little research beforehand can help you make sure your end product is something you’re proud to serve.
Keeping your office supplied with delicious coffee is a sure way to boost morale all around. For more information on different coffee service options for your office, check out this guide.
Knowledge Is Power
Brewing great coffee is more than just throwing together coffee and water and hitting start. Now that you know the best way to brew coffee for a group, what next? Check out some of our other articles to learn about other topics.
