Tricks for Mastering the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Home

​More Russians are drinking coffee than ever before, but eight out of ten cups consumed per capita are instant, Sputnik News reports. While preparing instant coffee is quick and easy, the taste just doesn't compare. Freshly brewed coffee holds onto its essential oils and chemical constituents, resulting in a fuller, subtle taste. And now it's so easy to make your own delicious, barista-quality coffee at home — for a fraction of the cost of your favorite coffee chain.

First stop: Coffee beans

You can't make a good cup of coffee without good-quality beans. Opting for whole coffee beans and grinding them yourself results in a fresher and more flavorful cup of coffee. It's also important to experiment with different types to learn what coffee you enjoy the most. So, try different varieties, roasts, and even countries of origin — all of which effect acidity, strength, and flavor. Coffee should always be fresh. Freshly ground coffee keeps for about one to two weeks in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating coffee results in temperature fluctuations which affect taste and flavor, so should be avoided.

Weigh out your coffee

Accurate measurements are essential in any recipe and coffee is no different. Rather than relying on the inaccuracy of a tablespoon, you need to actively weigh out your coffee in order to know how much is needed to make the perfect cup. Serious Eats recommends using thirty grams of beans per 12 to 16 ounces of water, but you can play around with measurements to taste. While you're at it, you should also measure the temperature of the water. The National Coffee Association of the USA recommends a water temperature between 90–96C.

Breaking down the method

Pre-warm your cafetiere to help keep your coffee warm until it's ready to be poured. To begin, pour just a little water over the grounds to moisten them and wait a minute or so to let them absorb the moisture. Fill up the cafetiere, stir, and place the plunger lid on top. Allow the coffee to brew for four minutes. However, you can also experiment with brew times. Then stir, put the plunger down, and pour into a pre-warmed cup.

Finally, steam your milk. An electric milk frother is an inexpensive investment which can upgrade your coffee to barista standards. Milk should be gently warmed and never hot or else it will ruin the flavor. And that's it. Sit back and enjoy.