1. Boil water: Start by boiling the desired amount of water. The water should be heated to around 195-205°F (90-96°C), just below boiling point.
2. Grind the coffee beans: While the water is heating, grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency. The ideal grind size will depend on your personal preference and the specific hand coffee maker you’re using.
3. Prepare the filter: Place a paper or metal filter in the coffee maker. If using a paper filter, you may want to wet it with hot water before adding the coffee grounds to remove any paper taste and ensure a better seal.
4. Add coffee grounds: Add the desired amount of coffee grounds to the filter. A general guideline is to use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces (180 ml) of water, but you can adjust this according to your taste.
5. Wet the coffee grounds: Slowly pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds, just enough to wet them. Allow the coffee to “bloom” for 30 seconds, which helps release the flavors and aromas.
6. Brew the coffee: Pour the remaining hot water in a slow, circular motion over the coffee grounds. Take care not to overflow the coffee maker. Adjust the speed and pattern of pouring to control the brew strength. Aim to complete the brewing process within 3-4 minutes.
7. Steep and extract: Once all the water has been poured, let the coffee steep for a couple of minutes to allow optimal extraction. The longer you steep, the stronger the coffee will taste.
8. Press and serve: Carefully press down the plunger or lever of the hand coffee maker to separate the brewed coffee from the grounds. Hold the coffee maker steady to avoid any spillage. Pour the freshly brewed coffee into your favorite cup and enjoy!
Remember, these instructions may vary slightly depending on the specific hand coffee maker you are using. It’s always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best results.