In one of my previous blogs, we delved into different types of Vietnamese coffee beans and some of the roast levels. However, brewing a great cup of coffee isn’t just about using high-quality beans and their roasting profile—it’s also about understanding the different factors that affect extraction. From the roast profile to grind size, water temperature, brewing time and method, each element plays a role in shaping the final taste of your cup. Let’s break it down so you can perfect your home brewing experience!

1. Roast profile: Choosing the suitable one for your flavour preference and brew method

There are three main roast levels: light, medium, and dark. Each roast level affects flavour, acidity, and body differently:

Light Roast: Retains the bean’s original characteristics, offering fruity, floral notes with a light body—almost tea-like. Best suited for slow-extraction methods like pour-over or cold brew.
Medium Roast: A perfect balance between acidity and sweetness with a smooth, well-rounded flavour. Works great with drip coffee, pour-over, and Phin brewing.
Dark Roast: Has a bold, full-bodied flavour with smoky, nutty notes. Because dark-roasted beans are more porous, they extract faster, making them ideal for Espresso.

The roast level you choose should complement your brewing method. Light roasts extract more slowly, so they’re best for longer brewing times. Dark roasts, being more soluble, work well with quick extractions like espresso.

2. Grind size: the key to proper extraction

Grind size determines how quickly water flows through your coffee and how much flavour is extracted. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Coarse grind (large particles): water flows through quickly, leading to a faster extraction. If your coffee tastes sour or weak, your grind might be too coarse.
Medium grind: a versatile option that works well for a variety of brewing methods.
Fine grind (small particles): has less surface exposure, so the water moves slowly. If your coffee is too bitter, your grind might be too fine.

A good rule of thumb: If your coffee drips too fast, your grind may be too coarse. If it drips too slowly and tastes bitter, it’s likely too fine.

3. Water temperature: How it impacts extraction

Water temperature significantly affects how flavours are extracted from coffee. Here’s a simple guideline:

Light roast: use a higher temperature (92-96°C) to speed up the extraction process.
Medium roast: best brewed between 90-93°C for a balanced flavour.
Dark roast: use a lower temperature (86-90°C) to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.

4. Brewing Method & Time: How It All Comes Together

Different brewing methods extract flavours in different ways. The two main categories are immersion and percolation:

Immersion brewing: Coffee grounds steep in water, extracting flavours slowly. Examples include French Press, Aeropress, and Cold Brew (brewing time: 5 minutes to 24 hours).
Percolation brewing: Water flows through the coffee grounds, extracting flavours as it passes. Examples include Pour-over, Phin, and Drip coffee (brewing time: 3-5 minutes).
Espresso: A type of percolation, but brewed under high pressure, extracting flavours in 27-35 seconds.

Your brewing method affects which grind size, roast level, and water temperature will give you the best results. If you prefer a strong, robust coffee, a Phin or espresso might be best. If you like a lighter, more aromatic cup, pour-over or immersion brewing could be your go-to.

Experiment and Find Your Perfect Brew!

There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy coffee—it’s all about discovering what works best for your taste preferences. Try different combinations of roast levels, grind sizes, and brewing techniques to see what suits your style.

To help you get started, here are two simple brew recipes:

Phin Brew Recipe

Roast Profile: Dark
Grind Size: Medium to slightly coarse
Water Temperature: 85°C
Brew Ratio: 1:5 (20g coffee to 100ml water)
Brew Length: 3 minutes

V60 Brew Recipe

Roast Profile: Medium
Grind Size: Medium
Water Temperature: 90-93°C
Brew Ratio: 1:16 (14.5g coffee to 232ml water)
Brew Length: 3 minutes

Understanding these factors will help you fine-tune your brewing process and get the best flavours from your coffee. Happy brewing! ☕✨

Understand factors that impact your brew