Michelle R. Johnson (@meeshalrj)
CEO/Founder of The Chocolate Barista, Editor at Large at Sprudge
What’s your favorite way to brew coffee at home?
When I'm not using an automatic coffee brewer, I like to use the Kalita Wave! I feel like I have the most control when brewing that results in a really flavorful cup no matter what coffee I'm using!
How many cups a day?
Honestly, I only drink one or two cups! Back when I worked at a coffee shop and roastery, I drank coffee ALL DAY. But now it's hot coffee in the morning and something iced in the afternoon.
How do you take your coffee?
I take my coffee in every way. It just depends on my mood haha! I mostly drink coffee black, but will happily add cream and sugar, especially in the winter months when I want something warm and sweet.
What coffee beans are you loving right now?
Portrait Coffee Roaster's Uganda Rwenzori. It's really good on the 8-Cup Coffee Maker.
What's one thing that people can do to make brewing at home better?
Create a home ritual that grounds and centers you so you can start the day on a positive note. Put together a morning wake up playlist to put on while prepping your coffee, stretch or meditate while it's brewing—anything to enhance your home brewing experience! Carving that time out for a more intentional coffee ritual in the morning makes all the difference in brewing better at home. :)
Samantha Spillman (@sam_line_dot)
Director of Coffee at Caffe Vita, 2019 United States Barista Champion
What’s your favorite way to brew coffee at home?
My favorite way to brew coffee at home is any way! When it's early in the morning and I haven't had coffee yet, I reach for the closest and easiest tool to brew my morning coffee. In complete transparency... my husband does most of the brewing. Although he is not a coffee professional by profession, he makes coffee better than most do!
How many cups a day?
Way too many! As the Director of Coffee at Caffe Vita, I spend most days tasting coffee whether it's during a coffee training or doing quality control with the team.
How do you take your coffee?
It depends on the type of coffee that I'm drinking. If it's a really high quality coffee, I drink it black. But if it's a coffee I know I won't like, I sugar it up to balance out the bitterness. Right now, I have been highly enjoying peppermint mochas given the season though!
What coffee beans are you loving right now?
I may be a little biased, but I am loving Caffe Vita's newest single origin release. It is a Costa Rican honey process, from Santa Elena Estate. It tastes like lime, fresh cherry, apricot, and cane sugar.
What's one thing that people can do to make brewing at home better?
Use a scale! Brewing a great cup of coffee really comes down to the ratio of coffee to water. The best way to measure is by using a scale. This will give you the ultimate accuracy.
Brian W. Jones (@DCILY)
Author of "Brew: Better Coffee at Home," Designer, and Founder of Dear Coffee, I love You.
What’s your favorite way to brew coffee at home?
I love brewing my coffee with a pour over dripper. It's a very relaxing morning ritual that really helps me focus and get my day going. On the weekends though, I prefer to use the OXO 8-Cup Brewer, so that I can stay in bed a bit longer while it does the work for me.
How many cups a day?
On a normal day about 4 cups—2 in the morning and 2 after lunch. But if I’m out and pass my local coffee shop, I'll likely get a cappuccino as well.
How do you take your coffee?
Black filter coffee. It's the best way to taste all the wonderful flavor nuances you can find in specialty coffee beans.
What coffee beans are you loving right now?
My wife is a coffee roaster, so anything she brings home is always a treat. My favorite recently has been Bolivia Los Rodriguez from GoodBoyBobv.
What's one thing that people can do to make brewing at home better?
A burr grinder. It will really improve everything about your morning cup. No matter what method you use to brew your coffee, fresh ground coffee will always make it noticeably better. A close second would be fresh roasted beans from a quality focused coffee roaster. You can't have a good brew without good ingredients, so you gotta start there.
Looking for more brewing advice? Check out all of our brew guides for getting the perfect cup.
Featured image courtesy of Brian W. Jones (@DCILY).
