How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee: 5 Foolproof Methods

Making a good cup of coffee starts with the beans. The best cup of coffee is made from freshly roasted coffee beans that are ground minutes before the brew is made. 

Grinding high-quality beans yourself produces a coffee with a much deeper flavor and complex undertones. Store-bought, pre-ground coffee is convenient, but much of the coffee's flavor is lost after packaging. 

The brewing method is also important in making a good cup of coffee. There are several extraction techniques that produce fantastic brews. 

In this article, you'll learn how to make great coffee in five different ways…

Method 1: How to Make Coffee Using a French Press

The French press is a simple immersion brewer that's capable of producing a bold, rich, robust cup of coffee. It's a simple brewing technique that anyone — regardless of experience — can use to make good coffee. 

Here's how to make a good cup of coffee using the French press:

Ingredients

• High-quality whole-bean coffee
• Filtered water
• Sugar (optional)
• Milk (optional)

Equipment

1. Coffee grinder — A burr or blade grinder will produce the course grounds needed for French press coffee.
2. French press — You can't make this brew without one.
3. Kettle or stovetop pan — Freshly boiled, filtered water is essential for making good French press coffee.
4. Measuring spoon or scales — Accurately measuring your coffee before brewing will improve the flavor dramatically.
5. Coffee mug — You can serve French press coffee in large or small mugs. 

1. Measure and Grind the Coffee

First, you'll need to prepare the coffee beans. If you want to make the best possible cup of coffee you must use whole beans. The type of bean is less important provided the coffee is fresh and quality. 

100% robusta coffee such as Cafely HaNoi produces a strong, dark, bold, and slightly bitter cup of French press coffee. 100% arabica coffee such as Cafley DaLat produces a sweet, smooth, mild brew. Robusta and arabica blends like our Saigon OG produce a balanced cup of coffee with the qualities of both beans. 

You'll need 17–20 grams of coffee per 240 mL (8 oz.) serving. Weigh out the beans —adding slightly more to equate for losses through grinding — and grind them coarse. Aim for a consistent grind size similar in texture to sea salt.

2. Boil the Water

Boil fresh, filtered water in a kettle or stovetop pan — 260 mL (8.8 oz.) Per serving.

3. Add the Coffee and Water

Pour the ground coffee into your French press, followed by the water. Place the plunger on top to retain heat, but do not press it through the coffee yet. 

4. Allow the Coffee to Brew

Leave the coffee to brew for around four minutes. This is enough time to extract the desirable oils, aromas, and flavors from the beans without over-extraction. 

5. Strain and Pour the Coffee

Once four minutes have passed, slowly push the plunger through the brew to strain. Pour the coffee into your favorite coffee mug and enjoy. Add milk and/or sugar if desired. 

Method 2: How to Make Coffee Using a Phin Filter

The phin filter is a traditional coffee brewer from Vietnam. It's used to brew the county's favorite coffee — robusta. The phin filter is a drip-style brewer with four simple parts — a chamber for ground coffee, a perforated filter plate, a gravity press, and a lid for retaining heat during brewing. The filter is placed on top of a mug. It's used to make single servings of coffee rather than a large pot. 

If you enjoy the bold flavors and strong caffeine hit of robusta coffee, the phin filter is the best way to brew it. 

Here's how to make a cup of Vietnamese robusta coffee with a phin filter:

Ingredients

• Vietnamese robusta coffee
• Water
• Sweetened condensed milk

Equipment

1. Burr coffee grinder — This type of grinder will allow you to finely grind whole coffee beans.
2. Scales or coffee measure — Although accurately measuring coffee isn't essential for making Vietnamese coffee, it will help you produce a better brew.
3. Phin filter — A traditional Vietnamese coffee brewer.
4. Kettle or stovetop pan — You'll need freshly boiled, filtered water to make a good cup of Vietnamese coffee.
5. Mug or heat-resistant glass — Vietnamese coffee is typically served in a heat-proof glass but feel free to use your favorite coffee mug.
6. Tablespoon — For measuring the condensed milk and stirring.

1. Measure and Grind the Coffee

The first step is to measure and grind the coffee. Freshly ground coffee produces The best cup of Vietnamese coffee. We recommend a whole-bean 100% dark roast robusta such as Cafely HaNoi for making traditional Vietnamese coffee with a phin filter. 

Weigh 21 grams of robusta coffee per serving and finely grind using a burr grinder to a consistency similar to sand or table salt. 

2. Assemble the Phin Filter 

Assemble your phin filter over a mug or heat-proof glass. Place the filter plate on the rim of the cup and then the brew chamber. 

Set the gravity press and lid aside — you'll use this later. 

3. Add the Coffee

Add the ground coffee to the brew chamber, ensuring it’s evenly spread. 

Take the gravity press and lightly tamp the coffee so it's evenly distributed. 

4. Prepare the Water 

Boil a cup of filtered water using a kettle or pan. Allow it to cool for 30 seconds to one minute. 

5. Bloom the Coffee

Pour just enough hot water over the coffee to bloom it. Wait for 45 seconds or so until all the gasses have been released from the freshly ground coffee.

6. Add the Water

Once the coffee has bloomed, add the rest of the water, filling the brew chamber to the rim or fill line. 

7. Allow to Brew

Place the lid on the phin filter and wait for the brew to drip through the filter. It takes a few minutes before the first drips start to pass through the filter. After this, it'll take five to seven minutes for the brewing to complete. 

8. Sweeten, and Serve 

Once brewed, remove the phin filter from the mug or glass. Add two to three tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to the coffee and stir to combine. 

Enjoy while hot or allow to cool and serve with ice for a Vietnamese iced coffee.  

Method 3: How to Make Espresso Coffee

Espresso is a strong, concentrated shot of coffee. This Italian brew is made by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely ground arabica coffee to create a bold brew with a rich and creamy crema. 

Here's how to brew the perfect shot of espresso:

Ingredients

• Whole-bean arabica coffee
• Water 

Equipment

1. Burr coffee grinder — A burr (rather than a blade) grinder will help you achieve a fine grind size. 
2. Scales or coffee measure — Accurate coffee measuring is essential to produce a well-balanced shot of espresso.
3. Espresso machine — You can't make espresso without one.
4. Demitasse cup — An espresso-sized mug that the shot will be brewed into.

1. Prepare the Espresso Machine

Turn on your espresso machine to heat it up. Most machines take 15 to 30 minutes to heat up, so do this ahead of time. 

Fill the reservoir with cold, filtered water.

2. Measure and Grind the Coffee

Weigh around 18 grams of whole-bean, dark-roast arabica coffee. We recommend the DaLat Coffee (100% Arabica) for a smooth, rich espresso shot. 

Grind the beans to a fine consistency — the grounds should feel like powdered sugar or fine sand between your fingers. 

3. Fill the Portafilter 

Add the ground coffee to the portafilter for your espresso machine. Applying firm, even pressure, tamp the grounds with the tamper. Aim for a consistent, flat surface — this will achieve the best extraction. 

4. Brew the Espresso

Lock the portafilter into the group head of your coffee machine. Place your demitasse cup below the spout and begin the extraction. 

Aim for an extraction time of 25 to 30 seconds. A steady stream of caramel-colored liquid will pour from the spout. 

5. Serve the Shot

Evaluate your espresso shot. It should have a honey-colored, creamy crema sitting on top of a dark, rich, concentrated brew. 

Enjoy the shot while hot. 

Method 4: How to Make Delicious Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is served over ice with milk. It's a creamy, cold beverage that offers a caffeinated hit of coffee when the weather's warm. It's often made with sugar to mellow out the bitter notes of the coffee. 

There are several ways to brew iced coffee, but the concept is the same — combine a concentrated shot of coffee with milk, ice, and sugar. In this guide, we'll teach you how to make iced coffee using a French press, but you can use any brewing method provided you increase the coffee-to-water ratio. 

Here's how to make a delicious iced coffee at home:

Ingredients

• Whole bean coffee
• Water
• Ice
• Milk
• Sugar (optional)

Equipment

1. Coffee grinder — Whole coffee beans and a grinder is essential if you want to make delicious iced coffee.
2. Scales or coffee measure — This ensures you craft a well-balanced brew.
3. French press — You can use an alternative brew method if you don't have a French press at home.
4. Kettle — Surprisingly, you'll need freshly boiled water to make iced coffee.
5. Large serving glass — We prefer a tall serving glass that can hold 240 mL (8 oz) or more.
6. Stirring spoon — To combine the milk, sugar, and coffee.

1. Grind the Coffee

To make the best iced coffee with a French press you should use whole beans. Whether you choose arabica, robusta, or a blend is down to you. Arabica coffee such as Cafley DaLat produces sweet, subtle, floral notes. Robusta such as Cafely HaNoi produces a darker, more bitter brew with nutty, chocolatey notes. A blend such as Cafely's Saigon OG offers the traits of both beans. 

Once you've chosen the right coffee for you, grind it to a coarse consistency similar to sea salt. You'll need around 17 to 20 grams per serving. 

2. Brew the Coffee

Add the ground coffee to your French press followed by 150 to 170 mL of freshly-boiled filtered water. Place the press on top of the container and wait for around four minutes for the coffee to brew. 

After four minutes, gently push the plunger through the coffee to separate the grounds. 

3. Prepare the Concentrated Coffee

Pour out the concentrated coffee into a separate container — this prevents over-extraction. If you want to sweeten your coffee, do so now by adding one to two tablespoons of sugar. 

Allow the coffee to cool to room temperature.

4. Assemble the Iced Coffee

In a large serving glass, add ice followed by the coffee. Fill the rest of the glass with whole milk or a dairy-free alternative and stir to combine. 

5. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the iced coffee and enjoy it while cold, with or without a straw. 

Method 5: How to Make a Latte Coffee

The latte is a light, creamy coffee beverage made from espresso and steamed milk.

You've learned how to make a rich, smooth espresso; all you need to learn now is how to make perfectly frothy, steamed milk.

Here's how to make a good cup of latte coffee:

Ingredients

• Espresso coffee
• Steamed milk
• Milk foam
• Sugar or syrup (optional)

Equipment

1. Burr coffee grinder — A burr grinder produces the fine grind needed for the espresso shot.
2. Espresso machine — Essential for making the perfect latte.
3. Steam wand — Most espresso machines will have one of these.
4. Thermometer (optional — Helps you monitor the milk temperature during steaming.
5. Large latte cup — A large mug to hold the espresso and steamed milk. Usually 240 mL (8 oz.).

1. Brew the Espresso 

To make a good latte coffee you'll need to brew the perfect shot of espresso coffee. We recommend freshly ground arabica coffee for making a latte. The DaLat Coffee (100% Arabica) is a fantastic option. 

Check out the espresso guide above (method 2) or this in-depth guide to learn how to make espresso for cafè latte. 

2. Froth the Milk

Fill a steaming pitcher with 150 to 200 mL of whole milk. The high-fat content of whole milk will produce a smooth, dense, frothy foam. 

Use the steam wand on your espresso machine to froth the milk until it's velvety smooth. The optimal temperature for steaming milk is 122–140°F (50–60°C). You're aiming for a light, smooth foam without any large air bubbles. 

3. Pour the Espresso

Pour the espresso shot into the latte cup and sweeten it with sugar or syrup if desired. 

4. Add the Steamed Milk

Slowly pour the steamed milk into the cup. Hold any airy foam on top of the smooth milk back with a spoon. 

Pour the milk gently around the cup so it combines with the espresso and finish in the middle. Release the spoon and gently pour in the microfoam — this will create a velvety latte with a smooth, airy foam on top.

5. Serve and Enjoy

The latte is made at drinking temperature, so serve and enjoy the latte while warm.

Why High-Quality Beans are Essential in Making a Good Coffee

High-quality coffee beans are the foundation of a great-tasting cup of coffee. High-quality coffee beans are carefully grown, harvested, processed, and roasted. The extra care taken during the production process of beans results in a brew with a balanced and nuanced flavor profile. 

High-quality beans produce coffee with much more complex flavors. You’ll pick out notes of fruit, chocolate, nuts, or florals, depending on the type of bean, roast, and where the coffee was grown. 

High-quality beans are also freshly roasted, which retains their essential oils and flavors. Freshly roasted coffee beans contain compounds that create the subtle flavors, aromas, and desirable crema that we coffee enthusiasts love. 

A good cup of coffee starts with a good coffee bean. Make sure to purchase a high-quality single-origin arabica, robusta, or blend. It’s also wise to buy whole beans rather than pre-ground coffee if you’re looking to produce the best possible cup of coffee…

Check Out: Cafely’s Whole Bean Coffee Range.

Freshly Ground Coffee vs. Pre-Ground Coffee

Freshly grinding coffee just before brewing makes a significant difference in the quality and flavor profile of the cup. If you want to capture the essence and character of a high-quality bean or blend, grinding fresh is the only way to go. 

Coffee beans release oils and aromatic compounds when ground, these are quickly lost during storage. Even pre-ground coffee that’s vacuum sealed and sold within one month of grinding is inferior to freshly ground coffee beans. 

If you want to craft the best cup of coffee, grinding whole beans yourself is essential.   Freshly ground coffee retains more of its natural oils and moisture, leading to a richer flavor. 

Grinding the beans yourself also enables you to adjust the grind size perfectly to suit the brewing method you’re using. Pre-ground coffee is often inconsistent, leading to uneven extraction. By grinding the coffee yourself, you can ensure a consistent grind size and an even extraction. 

FAQs: How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee

Want to learn more about coffee?

Head over to the Cafely blog and read the answers to the frequently asked questions below:

1. What’s the Difference Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee?

Arabica and robusta are types of coffee beans from two separate species — Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta. Arabica beans produce a smooth, mellow brew that's naturally sweet and moderately caffeinated. Robusta beans produce a dark, bitter brew that's less sweet and around twice as strong as arabica coffee. 

2. What is Liberian Coffee?

Liberian coffee is harvested from the species Coffea liberica. It's a rarer coffee bean that makes up less than 1.5% of the world's coffee production. Liberian coffee has a floral and fruity aroma with nutty undertones. It's sweet yet bitter and moderately caffeinated. 

3. Should I Use Filtered Water for Coffee?

Yes. You should use filtered water when making coffee. Clean, pure water produces a better cup of coffee. 

4. What Is Blooming Coffee, and Why Is It Important?

Blooming coffee is down when making coffee with a pour-over or phin filter setup. A small amount of hot water is poured over the coffee until it releases gasses (around 30 seconds to one minute). Blooming the coffee before brewing ensures even extraction, making for a richer, more complex cup of coffee. 

5. What’s the Difference Between Drip and Pour-Over Coffee?

Drip and pour-over coffee are similar. It's the brewing methods that differ. Drip coffee is made using a drip coffee maker that automatically pours hot water over ground coffee. The brew passes through a paper filter into a carafe below. Pour-over is essentially a manual way to make Drip coffee. Water is poured manually over the grounds and the brew passes through a filter into a collection chamber or cup below. 

6. Can You Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine?

You need an espresso machine to make authentic espresso coffee. However, you can achieve a similar concentrated brew by using a moka pot (a lower-cost stovetop brewer). You can also make an espresso-like brew with just a kettle by using Cafely's Vietnamese Instant Espresso.

7. What Is The Best Way To Store Coffee Beans?

Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They will last for one to three months and still make great coffee when stored this way. However, the flavor will slowly start to fade after a few weeks.

8. What’s the Best Way to Dispose of Coffee Grounds?

If you must throw away spent coffee grounds, it's best to seal them in a biodegradable bag before putting them in the trash. This will prevent animals from discovering and eating the grounds. However, there are several uses for used coffee grounds and throwing them away may not be the best option. Instead, use them as fertilizer for plants, enrichment for compost bins, or as a facial exfoliator. 

9. Can You Use a French Press for Iced Coffee?

Yes. You can use a French press to make iced coffee. Simply brew a cup of coffee as normal in your French press, but increase the coffee-to-water ratio. Cool the concentrated coffee down and serve over ice with milk. 

10. What Is the Best Way to Clean a Coffee Maker?

The best way to clean a coffee maker is to use water and white vinegar. Avoid using detergents, and make sure to rinse the equipment thoroughly after cleaning.