Pu’er Coffee

 After customers buy coffee beans in the shop, they often ask me about recommended brewing parameters—water temperature, grind size, and, of course, the coffee-to-water ratio. Whenever I mention a ratio of 1:15 , some people are surprised. That’s because most cafés on the market tend to use 1:16 when brewing pour-over coffee. Just yesterday, someone said to me, “I see everyone using 1:16. I thought that was the best—like the golden ratio for pour-over.” And to be fair, from a certain perspective, 1:16 really can be called a golden ratio . We know that coffee contains a limited amount of soluble material—only about 30% of the bean’s weight . Based on this fact, Dr. Ernest Lockhart conducted a series of studies and found that the coffees most people enjoy tend to fall within a specific range of strength and extraction : Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 1.15%–1.35% Extraction Yield: 18%–22% Any brew that lands within this range is known as a Golden Cup extraction , and the coffe...

 Every coffee lover has their own flavor preferences — some crave the purity of black coffee, while others enjoy the sweet, creamy richness of flavored drinks. Instead of hesitating at the café counter, why not recreate your ideal cup at home? Brewing good coffee isn’t complicated at all. Master these eight essential steps, and even beginners can ditch instant coffee for good and enjoy high-quality, budget-friendly homemade brews. 1. Choose Fresh Coffee Beans: Flavor Starts Here — Don’t Stockpile! The soul of a great cup of coffee comes from fresh beans. Freshly roasted beans carry a natural aroma and release full-bodied flavors during brewing. Different varieties (like Arabica and Robusta) offer noticeably different taste profiles, and high-quality beans preserve these natural characteristics best. One common mistake to avoid: don’t buy coffee beans in huge bags. Coffee reaches peak flavor a few days after roasting and stays best within the first month. Over time, beans lose a...