Coffee AT HOME

With many of us spending more time at home, embrace the art of making a quality brew as part of your daily morning ritual.

- Lisa Holmen

For coffee lovers, there's nothing better than starting the morning with a great cup. Recently, working from home has shifting their focus from sipping flat whites at their local cafés to making quality homemade brews. Whether you like your coffee black, milky or a bit of both, here are some ways to enjoy coffee in the comfort of your own home without using a fancy espresso machine.

Know your bean and brewing method

It's important to choose a brewing method to match your particular taste, needs and lifestyle. “Good coffee will make or break a day," says Caleb Podhaczky, director and roaster of Prodigal Coffee Roasters. “Australians are so used to a high standard of coffee that we take for granted how good we have it ... until we all need to brew from home."

Different types of coffee beans and brewing techniques can largely depend on whether you prefer your coffee black or with milk. For most in-home methods, it's best to opt for lighter coffee designed for filter roast unless you're making milky coffees at home - then it's best to buy coffee that is roasted for espresso. Filter coffee is extracted more slowly as it spends more time in contact with water, which results in a delicate, light-bodied brew.

A good cup of coffee starts with good-quality ingredients. Do your own research and find out where the coffee comes from, how it is roasted and if it has been sourced ethically and sustainably. Acidity, strength and flavour profile usually depend on the region the coffee is from. Look for extra information about the bean, its specific tasting notes, and buy from a local roaster where possible.

Size matters