1. Use Fresh, High-Quality Coffee
This is self explanatory. The freshness and quality of the coffee you use determines the outcome of your brew. For optimal results always use your Don Francisco’s Coffee within 1 week of opening or store it in an airtight container in the freezer.

2. Use Good Water
Coffee is 98% water, so the water you use will definitely impact the taste. Make sure it’s high quality and cold or room temperature, with no odor and no visible impurities. If you have hard water, consider using bottled water.

3. Choose a Good Brew Strength
For a standard drip machine, use 2 rounded tablespoons of coffee for each 6 oz. cup of water. You can always add a bit more or less to adjust the strength of your brew.

4. Choose the Right Grind Size
Matching the grind to the brew method is important for good extraction (amount of soluble solids removed from the ground coffee). Long brew methods like the Cold Brew require a coarse grind and fast brew methods like espresso require a fine grind. For your home drip coffee maker, use a medium grind.

5. Use Clean, Functional Equipment
Choose a good coffee brewer and keep it clean. Coffee has natural oils that stick to your brew cone and coffee pot. If they’re not cleaned properly, these oils build up and will cause bitterness in your brew. Clean all washable parts after every use.

6. Drink Immediately
For the best coffee flavor, drink your coffee within 15-20 minutes of brewing. Heat changes the flavor; for the best taste, don’t let your fresh pot sit on the burner for more than 30 minutes. Also, never reheat coffee; it will change the flavor.