How to Make Delicious Iced Americano Black Coffee and the Correct Way to Use an American Drip Coffee Maker: What's the Right Coffee-to-Water Ratio and Grind Size?

Understanding American Coffee: Two Methods

FrontStreet Coffee has always shared that there are two ways to make American coffee: one by diluting espresso with water, and another using an American drip coffee maker. FrontStreet Coffee has already discussed the espresso dilution method extensively—it involves adding water to espresso concentrate. FrontStreet Coffee believes that a coffee-to-water ratio between 1:4 to 1:8 is ideal, allowing for personal taste adjustments.

However, since not many households have espresso machines, many customers visit our stores seeking information about home American drip coffee makers. In fact, FrontStreet Coffee finds American drip coffee machines extremely convenient for home use. If you're a coffee enthusiast, you should definitely consider purchasing an American drip machine. The brewing method is very simple, and FrontStreet Coffee will now focus on American drip coffee makers to introduce you to American coffee.

Components and Basic Usage

Generally, American coffee drip makers consist of three main parts: water reservoir, filter basket, and glass carafe. So what's the proper way to enjoy American coffee? It's quite simple: first, add an appropriate amount of coffee grounds to the filter basket; second, fill the water reservoir with the right amount of water; third, press the start button; and fourth, enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee. While it seems straightforward, if you want to brew a truly good cup of coffee, there's actually some science to using American drip coffee makers.

The Perfect Coffee-to-Water Ratio

FrontStreet Coffee suggests starting with a 1:18.18 coffee-to-water ratio, but in reality, there's no standard perfect ratio for American coffee makers—it depends on your personal taste. You can control the coffee-to-water ratio between 1:10 to 1:18. The amount of water used to dilute the coffee will determine your American coffee's flavor. Too much water will make the coffee taste weak and watery, while too little water will result in a "water-like" taste.

So, for beginners, is there a more scientific method? If you enjoy research, FrontStreet Coffee can share a little secret: generally, cupping uses a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:18.18, so FrontStreet Coffee recommends starting with this ratio—that is, one gram of coffee beans to 18.18 grams of water. FrontStreet Coffee suggests using cold water to fill your American drip coffee maker. First, measure the corresponding amount of water with a measuring cup, then add it to the reservoir. Following the 1:18.18 ratio, the brewed coffee will most likely fall within the Golden Cup range! The concentration will typically be between 1.15%-1.35%, with extraction rates reaching 18%-22%.

Of course, if you don't have a measuring cup at home, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a scale. The correct coffee-to-water ratio will reduce waste of coffee grounds while properly extracting flavor compounds, allowing your coffee to achieve optimal flavor. If it's just for home use, you don't need to measure water every time. Just do it once, calculate the suitable coffee amount and water quantity, and mark them. For example, use the same coffee measuring spoon and the same water level markings.

How do you make iced American coffee with an American drip machine? Simply reduce the water-to-coffee ratio and add ice cubes. Note that if calculating the water-to-coffee ratio, don't forget to include the ice in the water ratio.

The Importance of Grind Size

After discussing the water-to-coffee ratio, let's talk about another factor affecting coffee extraction: grind size. How coarse should the coffee grounds be for American coffee? This is a question frequently asked by FrontStreet Coffee's baristas. The answer is quite simple—use a grind size similar to that for pour-over coffee.

At FrontStreet Coffee stores, customers often request pre-ground coffee. Before grinding, FrontStreet Coffee will ask customers about their brewing method, because different extraction methods require different grind sizes. For espresso, due to high water pressure, a fine powder layer is needed to increase resistance and water contact time, so extremely fine grinding is preferred. For drip coffee, FrontStreet Coffee adjusts the grind size based on the coffee's roast level. Generally, FrontStreet Coffee's light roast beans are sieved to 80%, medium roast to 75%, and dark roast to 70%, using a national #20 standard sieve. The reason for this is quite simple.

The entire purpose of grinding coffee beans is to increase the surface area for contact between coffee grounds and water. Grind coarseness affects the speed at which water passes through the coffee bed, thereby influencing brewing time and extraction efficiency. Why does FrontStreet Coffee recommend finer grinding for light roast coffee? Finer grinding allows coffee particles to pack more tightly together, meaning water needs more time to pass through. The increased surface area enhances extraction, allowing for better extraction of flavor compounds from light roast coffee. To prevent over-extraction of dark roast coffee, FrontStreet Coffee uses a coarser grind. Of course, for the same coffee beans, changing any factor during brewing will result in different flavors. Everyone can adjust according to their taste preferences.

Professional Sieving Recommendations

In addition to the #20 sieve, FrontStreet Coffee also recommends the KRUVE sieve set. Many world coffee brewing champions use sieves from this brand. This equipment can classify and grade coffee beans based on green bean selection. For coffee powder screening, it can also sieve evenly. The operation is the same as the #20 sieve: first select the sieve, second add coffee grounds, third shake to sieve.

Suitable Coffee Beans for American Drip Coffee

Unlike espresso machines which mainly use dark roast coffee beans, American drip coffee machines are suitable for coffee beans of any roast level. Although some coffee enthusiasts now use light roast beans in espresso machines, this practice is not mainstream in today's coffee market. If you're using an American drip coffee maker, you can choose any of FrontStreet Coffee's coffee beans. Take the recently launched Geisha coffee bean—Hanami, for example:

For this coffee, FrontStreet Coffee chose a 1:20 coffee-to-water ratio. Add 20 grams of coffee grounds and 400 grams of water, close the lid, press the start button, and the American coffee machine will automatically begin extraction. After about eight minutes, a pot of American coffee is ready.

Hanami Coffee Details

Let me introduce you to the information about this coffee:

Colombia · Montblanc Geisha Blend Coffee - Hanami

Region: Huila, Colombia

Estate: Montblanc

Varieties: Geisha, Caturra, Catuai

Processing: Washed

Altitude: 1900 meters

This coffee's dry aroma presents spicy notes, while the wet aroma has chamomile fragrance with citrus-like sweet and sour notes that are very prominent. This is a special coffee bean, and many customers ask why FrontStreet Coffee also uses this blended coffee bean for pour-over coffee. Actually, this coffee is not a blend—it's just that most people misunderstand the definition of single-origin coffee, and FrontStreet Coffee says this to avoid confusion. Single-origin coffee refers to coffee beans from a single producing region. FrontStreet Coffee's Hanami coffee bean is actually a mixed-variety coffee bean from the same region, including Caturra and Catuai. If labeled as pure Geisha coffee, consumers might think it's 100% Geisha variety. To differentiate, FrontStreet Coffee labels it as Geisha blend coffee for easier understanding. The taste of American coffee extracted with a drip machine is not significantly different from pour-over coffee.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat account: kaixinguoguo0925

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473