How to Make a Great Cup of Coffee: A Stone Creek Guide

Whether you're just beginning your coffee journey or trying to level up your brew game, knowing how to make a great cup of coffee is essential. At Stone Creek Coffee, we believe every cup should be crafted with care. That journey starts with understanding your beans, your gear, and your ratios. With a little knowledge, you will brew better. That’s how science works.

Depending on your approach, Stone Creek offers a full range of Farm-to-Cup coffees and Brew Tools for the home brew barista. For a quick cup, check out our K-Cup®-compatible Escape Pods and the naturally sweet, never bitter Cold Brew options.

But for a true Stone Creek experience, let’s walk through the basics of how to brew coffee the “right way.”

Step 1: Start with Great Beans

This might feel a little bit like “duh,” but a great cup of coffee starts with great beans. Freshly sourced, recently roasted, high-quality beans make all the difference. Whether you prefer light, medium, or dark roasts, make sure you're buying freshly-roasted, ethically-sourced beans. Every Stone Creek offering has you covered.

If you're serious about flavor, it’s best to grind your beans just before brewing. Whole beans stay fresh longer, and freshly ground coffee unlocks aromas and flavors you won't get from something that has been pre-ground weeks or months ago.

Step 2: Use the Right Grind Size

Matching your grind size to your brew method is key. A coarse grind is best for French Press, a medium grind for drip brewers, and a fine grind for espresso.

Not sure where to start? For a basic drip or pour-over, aim for a grind texture like sea salt. Grinding too fine or too coarse can lead to bitter or weak coffee.

Step 3: Know Your Ratios — How Much Coffee for a Cup?

One of the most common questions we hear is “How much coffee for a cup?” The answer depends on how strong you like it, but a great starting point is the Golden Ratio:

We’re talking, 1 part coffee (by weight) to 17 parts water. Or 15 grams of coffee to 250 grams (about 8 oz) of water.

If you absolutely must use volumetric measurements, then use:

2 heaping tablespoons of coffee per 8 ounces of water.

Use a Kitchen Scale for ultimate consistency, especially if you’re brewing with a pour-over or French press.

Step 4: Watch Your Water

Coffee is roughly 98.5% water, so the quality of your water matters. Use clean, filtered water heated to 205°F (just off boiling). Water that’s too hot can over-extract the coffee, while cooler water may under-extract and taste flat.

Step 5: Brew with Intention

Whether you’re using a French Press, drip machine, Chemex, or AeroPress, follow your method’s best practices. Be mindful of steep time, water flow, and total brew time. Small adjustments make a big difference.

Final Tip: Taste and Adjust

The beauty of coffee is that it’s customizable. If your brew is too strong, coarsen your grind or use a little less coffee. Too weak? Add more grounds next time. Once you understand how to make coffee from beans with intention, it becomes less of a chore and more of a craft.