Bored with the coffee you make at home? Want to change things up a little and try something different? Want to learn the secret tips and tricks baristas use to give their coffee that extra bit of “oomph”? 

At Bean & Bean ,we have a few tips that can transform your daily coffee routine from a chore, to a highlight of your day. Let's learn how to make the perfect cup of coffee! 

Iced Coffee at Home

Nothing hits the spot like a cool-iced coffee on a hot summer day. There are many ways to make it, but the most popular one is to brew up some hot coffee and cool it down over ice. 

One of the biggest concerns of making coffee this way is that ice can water down your coffee, making it weaker. But don’t worry, there’s a trick to getting this just right. It’s all in the ratio of ice and coffee! Here’s the recipe:  

What you’ll need

• Ground coffee
• Sugar (optional)
• Milk (optional)
• Fridge with working freezer
• Long spoon
• Glass
• Whatever you use to brew coffee normally
• Ice

How to make a non watered-down iced coffee

1. Grind your coffee (if using whole beans).
2. Brew your coffee normally using whichever method you prefer, French press, Chemex, etc.
3. Pour the coffee in your glass.
4. Place the glass in the freezer.
5. Add ice, then sugar or milk if desired.
6. Mix with a spoon.
7. Enjoy!

Cold brew at Home

High in caffeine and loaded with flavors, a cold brew is brewed either cold, or at room temperature. Because it's brewed for 12-18 hours, it has less acidity and bitterness, and more prominent underlying flavors. It's also the perfect concoction to make other drinks with. Cold brew works great for lattes, cappuccinos, and more! 

Let’s learn how to make the perfect cold brew: 

What you’ll need

• 4 cups of water
• 1 cup of coffee beans
• Container to brew your coffee - Quart sized mason jar recommended
• Plastic wrap
• Spoon
• Fine mesh coffee strainer

How to make cold brew at home

1. Grind the beans coarsely.
2. Put the ground coffee in the brewing container.
3. Pour the water over the grounds.
4. Use a spoon to ensure the grounds are completely wet.
5. Cover the mouth of the container with plastic wrap.
6. Let it steep for 12-24 hours.
7. Strain the coffee.
8. Enjoy!

Iced Americano at home

An iced Americano is the perfect mix of 2 espresso shots, ice and cold water. Ideal for early mornings or summers, the iced americano came into being when soldiers in World War II added water to their espresso shots to dilute them. 

An Iced Americano is different from iced coffee as it must be made with espresso shots which give it a signature foamy crema layer on top. This creates a fuller flavor along with a potent aftertaste. Let's learn how to make an authentic Iced Americano: 

What you’ll need

• 2 shots of espresso
• Ice
• Cold Water

How to make an iced americano at home

1. Prepare 2 shots of espresso via your method of choice, i.e. moka pot, French press, espresso machine.
2. Pour the cold water into a cup and add the espresso.
3. Top the drink with ice.
4. Enjoy!

Espresso made with a French press

Suppose you’ve got a French press but are in the mood for a delicious espresso shot. Although this drink is usually made with an espresso machine, you can still make it with a French press! 

Espresso is made by pushing hot water through coffee grounds with high pressure. High in caffeine, it's served in a much smaller quantity than your regular cup. Although you may not be able to replicate the high pressure bit, you can still make a dark and smooth espresso with a French press. 

What you’ll need

• Medium ground coffee beans, 2 tablespoons for every cup of water
• French press
• Water

How to make espresso with a French press

1. Take the number of tablespoons of ground coffee you’re using, multiply it by 2 and you’ll have the amount of water needed.
2. Boil the water.
3. Add the coffee grounds to the press and pour roughly half of the water into your french press.
4. Let steep for one minute. (Up to 3 minutes for a stronger brew)
5. Pour the remaining water and stir the mixture.After your mixture is done steeping,  press down the plunger slowly and steadily, halfway, then pull it back up and press the plunger all the way down to finish. This creates the crema layer on top of your espresso.
6. Pour your mixture through a paper or cloth filter.
7. Put in a cup and serve.
8. Enjoy!

Well folks, we hope these recipes and tips will be helpful in making your next coffee delicious!  

One last note: The coffee you choose is probably the most important component to making a perfect cup. Our  foolproof coffee recommendation for whichever method you choose is our Downtown Blend. With notes of sweet cedar, herbs and honey, you can choose your grind type and brewing method, and make it however you like!

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• How to Make Espresso with a French Press
• How to Make Coffee While Camping
• Drinking Better Coffee With Coffee Pods
• 10 Ways to Make Coffee Less Bitter