The Foundations of a Great Cup
Great coffee starts with exceptional beans—but how you brew them matters.
At Union Coffee Roasters, we roast our coffees in small batches to highlight the flavors already present in each bean. Whether your coffee tastes like chocolate and caramel or citrus and ripe fruit, the goal is the same: brew with care, stay curious, and adjust until the cup tastes right to you.
Start With Fresh Coffee
For the best flavor, buy freshly roasted whole-bean coffee and grind it immediately before brewing. Store your beans in a cool, dry place inside an airtight container. Avoid the refrigerator or freezer for everyday storage, as moisture and odors can affect the coffee. Find our collection of roasts here.
Use the Right Water
Coffee is mostly water, so water quality makes a noticeable difference. Use fresh, filtered water with a clean, neutral taste.
For most brewing methods, heat your water to 195–205°F. If you do not have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring the water to a boil and let it rest for about 30 seconds.
Weigh Your Coffee
A digital scale makes brewing more consistent. A great starting ratio is:
1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water
That means:
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20 grams coffee + 320 grams water
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25 grams coffee + 400 grams water
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30 grams coffee + 480 grams water
Prefer a stronger cup? Use a little more coffee. Want something lighter? Add slightly more water.
Grind Just Before Brewing
Grind size controls how quickly flavor is extracted from the coffee:
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Too sour, thin, or sharp? Grind finer.
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Too bitter, dry, or harsh? Grind coarser.
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Balanced, sweet, and clear? You found the sweet spot.
A quality burr grinder will produce a more even grind—and a more flavorful cup—than a blade grinder.
Pour-Over
Pour-over brewing produces a clean, aromatic cup with excellent flavor clarity. It is especially well suited to bright, fruit-forward, and single-origin coffees.
You’ll Need
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Pour-over brewer and filter
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Burr grinder
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Digital scale
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Gooseneck kettle
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25 grams coffee
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400 grams water
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Medium-fine grind
Brewing Instructions
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Heat the water to approximately 200°F.
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Place the filter in the brewer and rinse it thoroughly with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
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Add the ground coffee and gently shake the brewer to create a level bed.
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Start your timer and pour approximately 60 grams of water, making sure all the grounds are saturated.
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Let the coffee bloom for 30–45 seconds.
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Continue pouring slowly in controlled circles, avoiding the sides of the filter.
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Add water in stages until the scale reaches 400 grams.
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Allow the water to drain completely.
Your total brew time should be approximately 3–4 minutes.
Chemex
The Chemex creates a crisp, refined cup with a light body. Its thicker filter removes more oils and sediment, allowing delicate flavors to shine.
You’ll Need
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Chemex and filter
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Burr grinder
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Digital scale
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Gooseneck kettle
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40 grams coffee
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640 grams water
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Medium-coarse grind
Brewing Instructions
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Heat the water to approximately 200°F.
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Place the filter in the Chemex with the thicker folded side against the spout.
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Rinse the filter thoroughly and discard the rinse water.
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Add the ground coffee and level the bed.
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Pour approximately 100 grams of water over the grounds.
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Allow the coffee to bloom for 45 seconds.
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Continue pouring slowly in stages until you reach 640 grams.
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Gently swirl the Chemex and allow the coffee to finish draining.
Aim for a total brew time of 4–5 minutes.
French Press
French press brewing produces a rich, full-bodied cup with plenty of sweetness and texture. It is a great choice for coffees with chocolate, nut, caramel, and spice notes.
You’ll Need
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French press
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Burr grinder
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Digital scale
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30 grams coffee
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480 grams water
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Coarse grind
Brewing Instructions
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Heat the water to approximately 200°F.
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Add the ground coffee to the French press.
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Pour in all 480 grams of water, making sure the grounds are evenly saturated.
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Stir gently and place the lid on top without pressing the plunger.
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Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
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Break the crust with a spoon and gently stir.
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Place the lid back on and slowly press the plunger.
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Pour the coffee immediately to prevent over-extraction.
AeroPress
The AeroPress is fast, versatile, and forgiving. It produces a smooth, concentrated cup and is perfect for travel or brewing one serving at a time.
You’ll Need
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AeroPress and paper filter
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Burr grinder
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Digital scale
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17 grams coffee
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250 grams water
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Medium-fine grind
Brewing Instructions
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Heat the water to approximately 200°F.
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Rinse the paper filter and attach the filter cap to the AeroPress.
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Add the ground coffee.
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Start your timer and pour in 250 grams of water.
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Stir gently for about 10 seconds.
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Insert the plunger slightly to create a seal.
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Let the coffee steep until 1 minute and 30 seconds.
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Press slowly and steadily for approximately 30 seconds.
Stop pressing when you hear a gentle hiss.
Automatic Drip Brewer
A quality automatic brewer can make an excellent cup when the coffee-to-water ratio and grind size are dialed in.
Our Starting Recipe
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60 grams coffee per liter of water
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Medium grind
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Fresh, filtered water
Rinse the paper filter before brewing when possible. Make sure the coffee bed is level, then start the brew cycle. Once brewing is complete, gently swirl the carafe before serving to blend the extracted coffee evenly.
Avoid leaving brewed coffee on a hot plate for extended periods. A thermal carafe will keep it warm without cooking away its best flavors.
Espresso
Espresso is all about precision. Small changes in dose, grind, yield, or time can dramatically change the flavor.
Our Starting Recipe
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18 grams coffee in
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36 grams espresso out
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25–30 seconds
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Fine grind
Dialing In
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Preheat the espresso machine and portafilter.
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Weigh and grind 18 grams of coffee.
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Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp with level, consistent pressure.
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Start the extraction and stop when the scale reaches 36 grams.
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Taste the espresso before making adjustments.
If the shot runs too quickly and tastes sour or weak, grind finer. If it runs too slowly and tastes bitter or dry, grind coarser.
Use this recipe as a starting point. Different Union coffees may taste their best with a slightly different dose or yield.
Cold Brew
Cold brew produces a smooth, concentrated coffee with low perceived acidity and plenty of sweetness.
You’ll Need
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Large brewing container
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Filter or fine-mesh strainer
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100 grams coffee
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800 grams cold, filtered water
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Coarse grind
Brewing Instructions
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Combine the coffee and water in your brewing container.
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Stir gently to saturate all the grounds.
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Cover and steep in the refrigerator for 14–18 hours.
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Filter the coffee thoroughly.
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Serve over ice.
Enjoy it as brewed, or dilute it with water or milk to taste.
How to Dial In Your Brew
There is no single perfect recipe for every coffee, grinder, or palate. Start with our recommended recipe, taste the result, and change only one variable at a time.
| If Your Coffee Tastes… | Try This |
|---|---|
| Sour, sharp, or underdeveloped | Grind finer or brew longer |
| Bitter, harsh, or drying | Grind coarser or brew for less time |
| Weak or watery | Use more coffee or less water |
| Heavy or overly strong | Use less coffee or more water |
| Balanced, sweet, and flavorful | Write down the recipe and brew it again |
Taste Beyond “Strong” or “Weak”
As your coffee cools, pay attention to its sweetness, acidity, body, and finish. You may notice flavors that remind you of chocolate, caramel, berries, citrus, nuts, stone fruit, or spices.
These flavors are not added—they develop naturally through the coffee’s variety, origin, processing method, growing conditions, and roast.
Make It Yours
A brewing recipe is a starting point, not a rulebook. Your grinder, water, equipment, and personal taste will all influence the final cup.
Experiment. Take notes. Trust your palate.
Most importantly, enjoy the ritual.
Union Coffee Roasters
Craft roasted in small batches. Brewed with purpose.
