How to brew a better cup at home

There’s a moment, somewhere around the second cup, when a good coffee stops being a habit and starts being a small daily pleasure. Getting there is easier than the internet would have you believe. Here’s how we brew it at Northgate.

1. Buy fresh, buy whole bean

Coffee is at its best in the two to four weeks after roasting. That’s why our single-origin beans are roasted to order each week and shipped in a resealable valve bag. Grinding just before you brew preserves the aromatics that make the difference between “fine” and “wow”.

2. Mind the ratio

A reliable starting point is 60 grams of coffee per litre of water — roughly two level tablespoons per large mug. Weigh it once with kitchen scales and you’ll quickly learn what your perfect cup looks like by eye.

3. Water matters more than you think

Coffee is 98% water, so use filtered water just off the boil — around 92–96°C. Boiling water scorches the grounds and pulls out bitterness; too cool and you’ll get something thin and sour.

Great coffee isn’t about expensive kit. It’s about fresh beans, the right ratio and a little attention.

Ready to taste the difference? Our Fresh & Pantry edit is a good place to start.