For a balanced cup at home, start with a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio and adjust from there to suit your taste.

No scale? A good starting point is approximately 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 8–10 fl oz of water, then adjust to taste.

Grind Size

For a standard home drip coffee maker, start with a medium grind, similar in texture to coarse sand or raw sugar.

Water Temperature

For best results, brew between 195–205°F (91–96°C).

CVC Tip

If your coffee tastes weak or watery, use a little more coffee or grind slightly finer. If it tastes too bitter or heavy, use a little less coffee or grind slightly coarser.

For the freshest flavor, grind your coffee just before brewing whenever possible. Once coffee is ground, it has much more surface area exposed to air, so it begins losing aroma and freshness faster.

Different brewing methods work best with different grind sizes.

CVC Tip: If your coffee tastes bitter or harsh, your grind may be too fine. If it tastes weak, sour, or watery, your grind may be too coarse.

For most coffee brewing methods, aim for water between:

195°F–205°F (91°C–96°C)

Water that is too cool may leave your coffee tasting weak, sour, or under-extracted. Water that is too hot can pull out harsher, more bitter flavors.

No thermometer? 

Bring your water to a boil, then let it rest for about 30–45 seconds before brewing.

CVC Tip: 

Your coffee, roast level, and personal taste can all affect the ideal temperature. Use these numbers as a starting point and adjust from there.