Your Coffee Questions, Answered
At Fonzie Abbott we want great coffee to be simple.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about buying, storing and brewing coffee at home. But if you still need help - drop us a line at info@fonzieabbott.com. We'd love to help.
Brewing Coffee
How much coffee should I use?
It depends on how you’re brewing it.
As a starting point, we use:
Espresso: 21g coffee → 42g espresso
Pour Over: 20g coffee → 320g water
French Press: 20g coffee → 320g water
AeroPress: 15g coffee → 225g water
Cold Brew: 100g coffee → 1 litre water
Stovetops come in different sizes, so fill the basket loosely to its intended capacity.
Head to our Brew Guides for the full recipes.
What grind size should I use?
Different brewing methods need different grind sizes.
Espresso: Fine
Stovetop: Medium-fine
Pour Over: Medium
French Press: Coarse
AeroPress: Medium-fine
Cold Brew: Coarse
Treat these as starting points. Your grind is one of the easiest ways to adjust your brew.
What temperature should water be for coffee?
For most hot filter brewing methods, around 90–95°C is a good place to start.
You don’t necessarily need a temperature-controlled kettle. If you’re using a regular kettle, letting boiling water sit briefly before brewing will get you into the right territory.
Does filtered water make better coffee?
It can.
Coffee is mostly water, so the water you use has a big influence on the final cup.
If your tap water has a strong taste or smell, filtered water is worth trying.
Fixing Your Brew
Why does my coffee taste bitter?
Your coffee may be over-extracted — meaning the water has pulled too much from the coffee.
Try grinding a little coarser or reducing your brew time.
Water that’s too hot can also contribute, as can simply using a coffee with a darker roast profile.
Why does my coffee taste sour?
Your coffee may be under-extracted.
Try grinding a little finer or increasing the brew time. The aim is to help the water extract more from the coffee.
Some coffees are naturally brighter and more acidic than others, so acidity itself isn't necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong.
Why does my coffee taste weak or watery?
Start by checking your coffee-to-water ratio.
If the ratio is right, your coffee may be under-extracted. Try grinding a little finer or increasing the brew time.
Why is my espresso running too fast?
If you reach your target espresso weight too quickly, grind finer.
For our espresso recipe, we start with 21g of ground coffee and aim for 42g of espresso in around 28–32 seconds.
Make small grind adjustments until you get there.
Why is my espresso running too slowly?
If your espresso takes too long to reach your target weight, grind coarser.
Again, make small adjustments. Tiny changes to an espresso grind can make a surprisingly big difference.
Why doesn't my espresso have much crema?
Crema can be affected by the coffee, its freshness, your grind and the way the espresso is extracted.
Rather than chasing crema on its own, concentrate on getting your dose, yield and extraction time right — and, most importantly, how the coffee tastes.
Coffee Freshness + Storage
How should I store coffee beans?
Keep them sealed somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight.
A kitchen cupboard is usually perfect.
If your coffee comes in a resealable bag with a one-way valve, you can keep it in the bag. Squeeze out the excess air and seal it properly after each use.
Should coffee beans go in the fridge?
Generally, no.
Coffee can absorb moisture and odours, and repeatedly taking it in and out of the fridge can expose it to condensation.
For coffee you’re drinking regularly, keep it sealed in a cool, dry cupboard.
Can you freeze coffee beans?
Yes.
Freezing is useful if you have more coffee than you're going to drink in the near future.
Divide it into smaller airtight portions before freezing so you only need to defrost what you're going to use.
Once you take a portion out, let it come back to room temperature before opening it.
How long does coffee stay fresh?
Coffee doesn't suddenly go bad on a particular day. Its flavour and aroma gradually change after roasting.
Whole beans retain their freshness considerably longer than ground coffee, so buy an amount you'll comfortably get through and keep it properly sealed.
Does coffee go off?
Not quickly when it's stored correctly, but it does get stale.
If your coffee has lost its aroma and tastes flat or dull, it's probably past its best.
Is whole bean coffee better than ground coffee?
If you have a good grinder, buying whole beans and grinding them as you need them will give you the freshest result.
Once coffee is ground, much more of it is exposed to air and it loses aroma more quickly.
No grinder? Buying ground coffee is absolutely fine. Keep it sealed and buy an amount you'll use reasonably quickly.
Choosing Coffee
What's the difference between a blend and a single origin?
A single origin comes from one particular origin — which might be a country, region, producer or even a single farm.
A blend combines coffees to create a particular flavour profile.
Neither is inherently better. They're simply different ways of creating and experiencing coffee.
Can I use espresso coffee for filter?
Yes.
You can brew any coffee however you like.
Coffee labelled for espresso has usually been roasted with espresso brewing in mind, while a filter roast has been developed for filter brewing.
They're recommendations, not rules.
Can I use filter coffee in an espresso machine?
Absolutely.
You may need to adjust your grind and espresso recipe to get the best from it, but there's nothing stopping you.
Does dark roast coffee have more caffeine?
Not necessarily.
Roast level changes the flavour and physical characteristics of coffee, but darker doesn't automatically mean more caffeine in your cup.
How much caffeine you consume is also affected by the coffee, dose and brewing method.
Does espresso have more caffeine than filter coffee?
Espresso is more concentrated, but you generally drink much less of it.
A full cup of filter coffee can therefore contain more total caffeine than a single espresso, even though the espresso contains much more caffeine per millilitre.
Still Not Sure?
Coffee recipes are starting points, not rules.
Start with a good recipe, change one thing at a time and pay attention to what happens in the cup.
If it tastes good, you're doing it right.