Two recipes for a perfect cup of coffee, from Marc at the Golden Bean

Perfection, it seems, doesn’t come without some attention to detail… here are the two recipes – get ready!

Recipe #1: Light, bright coffee

BEANS: Ethiopian or Guatemalan beans, ground coarsely

WATER: 200ml Evian water (or tap water if your tap water is really delicious)

EQUIPMENT: Aeropress, accurate digital weighing scales, thermometer, stop clock, your favourite cup

(If you don’t know how to use an Aeropress (I didn’t), here is a really good step by step breakdown by the amazing blog, the Kitchn.)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Turn the Aeropress upside down to the normal way of using it
2. Heat 200ml of water to 80⁰C (or bring your water to a boil then let it cool for about 1 minute)
3. Meanwhile, grind your beans to a coarse texture and measure 13.7g. Add to the Aeropress
4. Add 30ml of the hot water to the coffee, stir to get all the grounds wet and allow to bloom (flavour to develop) for 30 seconds
5. Then add the remaining 170ml of water and leave for 1 minute
   
    (Image from the Kitchn blog)
   
   
6. Place a paper filter in the cap and screw tightly onto the chamber and then quickly and carefully flip the Aeropress the right way up again and place over the cup… see here: (Image from the Kitchn blog)
7. Press the Aeropress down, this should take around 30 seconds if the beans are ground to the correct consistency
8. Enjoy!

Recipe #2: Nutty, rich coffee

BEANS: Brazilian beans, ground coarsely

WATER: 200ml Evian water (or tap water if your tap water is really delicious)

EQUIPMENT: Aeropress, accurate digital weighing scales, thermometer, stop clock, your favourite cup

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Turn the Aeropress upside down to the normal way of using it
2. Heat 200ml of water to 80⁰C (or bring your water to a boil then let it cool for about 1 minute)
3. Meanwhile grind your beans to a coarse texture and measure 18ml and add to the Aeropress
4. Add 40ml of this water to the coffee, stir to get all the grounds wet and allow to bloom (flavour to develop) for 30 seconds
5. Then add the remaining 160ml of water and leave for 30 seconds (so a shorter time than the light, bright coffee recipe)
6. Place a paper filter in the cap and screw tightly onto the chamber and then quickly and carefully flip the Aeropress the right way up again and place over the cup
7. Press the Aeropress down, this should take around 30 seconds if the beans are ground to the correct consistency
8. Enjoy!