Frequently asked questions
Dylan Ettinger / Business Insider
What is the best filter coffee?
Any coffee will work in a coffee maker, but make sure the coffee is fresh. Most roasteries print the roast date on each bag of coffee. Try to find coffee that was roasted less than two weeks before you plan to brew it.
Second, if you can, employ the best coffee grinder to grind the coffee just before brewing. “Optimally, the coffee machine receives freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee. Yes, grinding is an extra step and yes, it is totally worth it,” says Gaultieri.
Do fresh grounds in coffee machines really make a difference?
“Always!” says Gaultieri. Once roasted, all the aromatic oils and sugars start to break down, and the gases in the coffee beans leak out, creating a duller, staler flavor. Pre-grinding the coffee well before brewing enhances this effect.
“Coffee begins to lose volatile aromatic compounds immediately after grinding,” says Gaultieri. By breaking down the grains and releasing more gases and exposing organic compounds and oils to air, it spoils even faster.
Why is it worth buying an electric coffee machine?
Electric coffee machines are distinguished by their consistency. “The coffee machine is programmed to do the same thing every time you turn it on, and if it’s good, it will do it very consistently,” Rodriguez says. Electric coffee makers also often come with features such as timed brewing, which can save you time in the morning if you have a tight schedule.
What kind of filters should I employ?
The most common are reusable metal or mesh filters and disposable paper filters. Some developers even allow the user to choose between them.
The main difference between the types of filtration is the amount of dissolved coffee particles and oils they let through. “Filtration affects the clarity of the drink, which affects the sensory experience of the coffee in your mouth,” Rodriguez says. Reusable filters have the added benefit of creating less waste and lowering long-term costs.
What makes an SCA-certified home coffee machine stand out from other coffee machines?
Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has a program that rigorously tests coffee machines and certifies those that meet their standards. Each SCA-certified coffee machine is proven to produce high-quality, consistent cups of coffee.
As Jessica Rodriguez, Certifications Program Manager at SCA, explains, “Multiple production units are shipped and tested at 1L and full capacity to ensure adequate space in the brew basket to maintain the SCA Golden Cup ratio of 55g/L so they can achieve and maintain brewing temperature of 92-96C, total contact time with water is in the range of 4-8 minutes, total dissolved solids in each brew is in the range of 1.15%-1.45% and is consistent from extraction to extraction, and the drink has good clarity. The donated brewing equipment is also subjected to an extraction uniformity test procedure, which analyzes the used coffee bed for uniformity of extraction.
