How You Should Really Be Measuring Water For Your Coffee
Coffee may very well be the only beverage that can unite cultures across the globe. In fact, Statista reported that the world sips its way through 166.63 million bags of the drink each year. But while many coffee lovers may head to Starbucks for their morning favorite, some may be more partial to brewing up a cup at home.
And there are a few ways coffee lovers can ensure they are whipping up a delicious pot of joe. Food and Wine states you should grind up your coffee beans at home to make sure you're getting the most flavor from your coffee grounds. And Insider notes that one of the biggest mistakes you can make when brewing at-home coffee is not frequently cleaning your coffee maker. But if you truly want to brew up a perfect cup of this beloved drink, you need to make sure you're not incorrectly measuring out your water.
Ditch the measuring cup
Like most coffee lovers, you know that if you hope to achieve the best tasting brew that you should add in 28 grams of H20 for every 1.5 or 2 grams of coffee beans (per Serious Eats). However, when making your iced coffee at home, you probably find yourself reaching for a measuring cup to gauge how much water you need. And, according to Serious Eats, this is far from the ideal way to measure out water for your daily pick-me-up.
The outlet reported that because measuring cups tend to vary in size, they are not a reliable way to come up with the right amount of water for your coffee. However, Serious Eats did note that food scales can help you make a precise water measurement. In fact, due to their accuracy, food scales are usually cited by dietitians as the best way to correctly measure your food portions (via MyFitnessPal). This is why Serious Eats stated that by using a food scale, you'll be able to make sure your cup of coffee meets what is considered, as the site reports, "the ideal coffee-to-water ratio."
However, while the food scale can help you abide by coffee's golden water rule, it can also guide you to making a cup of joe tailored to your taste buds. For example, if you like coffee with an extra kick, you can always try a lower ratio.