How to Brew Coffee Like a 787 Barista at Home (5 Simple Steps That Actually Work)
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Hello Caffeinated Humans!
Let's talk about something we hear ALL the time at our coffee shops:
"How do you make coffee taste THIS good?"
You've had that perfect cup at 787 Coffee—smooth, rich, full of flavor, the kind that makes you close your eyes and just ENJOY the moment. Then you go home, brew your own coffee, and... it's just not the same.
It's not as smooth. Not as flavorful. Sometimes it's bitter. Sometimes it's weak. And you're standing in your kitchen thinking, "What am I doing wrong?"
Here's the truth: You don't need a $5,000 espresso machine or a barista certification to make incredible coffee at home. You just need to understand a few key things that actually matter.
At 787 Coffee, we've been growing, roasting, and brewing coffee for years. From our farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico and partner coffee farms - to our coffee shops in NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield, and Puerto Rico, we've seen what separates good coffee from GREAT coffee.
And today, we're sharing exactly what our baristas do to make every cup taste like magic—so YOU can do the same at home.
These aren't complicated tricks or expensive equipment hacks. These are the 5 fundamental steps that will transform your home brewing game forever.
Ready? Let's do this!
Why Your Home Coffee Doesn't Taste Like Coffee Shop Coffee (Yet)
Before we get into the steps, let's talk about why there's a difference in the first place.
Most people think it's the fancy espresso machine. Or the professional grinder. Or some secret barista technique passed down through generations.
Wrong.
The biggest difference between coffee shop coffee and home coffee comes down to these things:
Fresh beans (not the bag that's been sitting in your pantry for 6 months)
Proper grind size (most people get this wrong)
Water temperature (hotter isn't always better)
Coffee-to-water ratio (eyeballing it doesn't work)
Brewing time (over-extracted coffee = bitter coffee)
That's it. Master these 5 things, and you'll brew coffee that rivals ANY coffee shop.
And here's the best part: none of this requires expensive equipment. You can brew incredible coffee with a $20 pour-over setup and fresh beans from 787 Coffee. That's all you need.
Let's break it down.
Step 1: Start With Fresh Beans (This is 80% of the Battle)
Let me be blunt: if your beans aren't fresh, nothing else matters.
You can have the perfect grind, the perfect water temperature, the perfect technique—but if you're using stale coffee that was roasted 6 months ago and has been sitting in your cabinet losing flavor every single day, your coffee will taste flat, dull, and lifeless.
What "Fresh" Actually Means
Fresh coffee = coffee that was roasted within the last 2-4 weeks.
That's it. Not 2 months. Not 6 months. Definitely not the mystery coffee from the grocery store with no roast date on the bag.
Why does freshness matter so much?
Coffee beans are at their peak flavor 3-30 days after roasting. During this time, they release CO2 (which is why fresh bags are slightly puffy) and all those incredible oils, aromatics, and flavors are still alive and vibrant.
After 30 days, coffee starts to go stale. The oils oxidize. The aromatics fade. By 2-3 months, most of the flavor is gone. You're basically brewing coffee-flavored cardboard.
How to Tell If Your Coffee is Fresh
Look for a roast date on the bag. If there isn't one, don't buy it. Period.
Grocery store coffee? Almost never has a roast date. It was probably roasted months ago, shipped, warehoused, and finally put on the shelf. By the time you buy it, it's already stale.
At 787 Coffee, every bag has a roast date. We roast in small batches multiple times per week, so when you order from us, you're getting coffee that was roasted within DAYS—not months.
The 787 Coffee Difference
We control the entire process from seed to cup:
We grow our coffee at Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, Puerto Rico
We hand-pick only the ripest cherries
We process and roast in small batches
We ship directly to you
This means you're getting coffee at peak freshness. The same beans our baristas use in our NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield, and Puerto Rico locations—delivered to your door.
Bottom line: Fresh beans are non-negotiable. Everything else is just optimization.
👉 Order Fresh 787 Coffee Beans – Roasted this week, delivered to you
Step 2: Grind Your Coffee Right Before Brewing (And Get The Size Right)
Here's a mistake almost everyone makes: grinding your coffee too early.
Pre-ground coffee? Loses flavor within MINUTES of grinding. Seriously. The moment you grind coffee, you expose all those oils and aromatics to oxygen, and they start breaking down immediately.
Grind Fresh, Every Time
The rule: Grind your beans right before you brew. Not the night before. Not even an hour before. Right. Before.
If you don't have a grinder, get one. You don't need a $500 grinder—a $30 burr grinder from Amazon will change your coffee game overnight.
Get the Grind Size Right
This is where most people mess up.
Different brewing methods need different grind sizes. Use the wrong size, and your coffee will either be weak and watery (ground too coarse) or bitter and over-extracted (ground too fine).
Here's the breakdown:
Espresso: Very fine (like table salt or powder)
Short extraction time = needs fine grind to maximize flavor
Pour-Over (Chemex, V60, Kalita): Medium-fine (like sand)
Balanced extraction, smooth flavor
Drip Coffee Maker: Medium (like granulated sugar)
Standard grind for most automatic brewers
French Press: Coarse (like sea salt or breadcrumbs)
Long steep time = coarser grind prevents bitterness
Cold Brew: Extra coarse (like peppercorns)
Super long steep time (12-24 hours) = very coarse grind
Pro Tip: If your coffee tastes bitter, try a coarser grind. If it tastes weak or sour, go finer.
What We Use at 787 Coffee
In our shops, we adjust grind size multiple times throughout the day based on humidity, temperature, and how the coffee is pulling. At home, you won't need to get that nerdy—but knowing your grind size matters is half the battle.
Using 787 Coffee beans? Our beans work beautifully across all grind sizes because we roast them to bring out balanced, complex flavors. Whether you're doing espresso, pour-over, or French press—you'll taste the Puerto Rican terroir in every cup.
Step 3: Use the Right Water Temperature (Not Boiling!)
Most people think: "Hotter water = stronger coffee."
Wrong.
Boiling water (212°F / 100°C) will burn your coffee and extract bitter, harsh flavors. You want hot water—but not THAT hot.
The Sweet Spot: 195-205°F (90-96°C)
This is the ideal range for brewing coffee. Hot enough to extract all the good flavors, cool enough to avoid bitterness.
How to get there:
Boil your water
Let it sit for 30-45 seconds
Pour
That's it. No thermometer needed (though if you're nerdy like us, by all means, use one).
Why Temperature Matters
Too hot (210°F+): Over-extraction = bitter, burnt, harsh coffee
Too cold (below 190°F): Under-extraction = sour, weak, flat coffee
Just right (195-205°F): Balanced, sweet, full-bodied coffee
At 787 Coffee shops, our espresso machines are dialed to the exact temperature for each bean. At home, you can get 90% of the way there by just letting your boiling water cool for 30 seconds.
Water Quality Matters Too
Use filtered water if possible. Tap water with strong chlorine or mineral flavors will affect your coffee's taste.
Think of it this way: coffee is 98% water. If your water tastes bad, your coffee will too.
Step 4: Get Your Coffee-to-Water Ratio Right (Stop Eyeballing It)
This is where most people mess up without even knowing it.
"I just put a few scoops in..." No. Stop. That's not a recipe—that's guesswork.
The Golden Ratio: 1:15 to 1:17
For every 1 gram of coffee, use 15-17 grams of water.
In plain English:
1:15 ratio = Stronger, bolder coffee
1:17 ratio = Lighter, more balanced coffee
Start with 1:16 and adjust based on taste.
How to Measure
Option 1: Use a scale (best method)
20g coffee + 320g water = about 10 oz of brewed coffee
30g coffee + 480g water = about 16 oz of brewed coffee
Option 2: Use tablespoons (less precise but works)
2 tablespoons of coffee = roughly 10-12g
For every 6 oz (180ml) of water, use 2 tablespoons of coffee
Why Ratios Matter
Too much coffee = over-extracted, bitter, wasteful
Too little coffee = weak, watery, disappointing
At 787 Coffee, our baristas weigh every shot. At home, you don't need to be THAT precise—but getting in the ballpark will massively improve your coffee.
Pro Tip: Start with 2 tablespoons per 6 oz of water. If it's too strong, use less coffee. If it's too weak, use more. Adjust until you find YOUR perfect cup.
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Step 5: Don't Over-Extract (Timing is Everything)
The final piece of the puzzle: brew time.
Coffee extraction is a balance. You want to extract all the good flavors (sweetness, complexity, body) without extracting the bad ones (bitterness, astringency, sourness).
Brew Time by Method
Espresso: 25-30 seconds
Fast extraction, high pressure
Pour-Over (V60, Chemex): 3-4 minutes
Controlled, even extraction
Drip Coffee Maker: 4-6 minutes
Automatic, but watch the time
French Press: 4 minutes
Full immersion, then plunge
Cold Brew: 12-24 hours
Long, slow, cold extraction
Signs You're Over-Extracting
Coffee tastes bitter or astringent
It leaves a dry, chalky feeling in your mouth
It's unpleasantly strong (not in a good way)
Signs You're Under-Extracting
Coffee tastes sour or acidic
It's weak or watery
It lacks body and richness
The fix: Adjust your grind size and brew time. If it's too bitter, use a coarser grind and shorter brew time. If it's too sour, go finer and brew longer.
What We Do at 787 Coffee
Our baristas taste and adjust throughout the day. At home, you can do the same—just pay attention. Taste your coffee. If it's not right, tweak ONE variable at a time and try again.
Using fresh 787 Coffee beans makes this easier because our beans are roasted to be forgiving and balanced. Even if you're not perfect on timing, you'll still get a delicious cup.
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
Be a NuevaYOL Caffeinated Human.
The 787 Coffee Home Brewing Cheat Sheet
Let's put it all together. Here's your quick-reference guide:
The 5 Steps:
Fresh Beans – Roasted within 2-4 weeks (order from 787 Coffee)
Grind Fresh – Right before brewing, correct size for your method
Water Temperature – 195-205°F (let boiling water cool 30-45 seconds)
Ratio – 1:16 (start with 2 tbsp coffee per 6 oz water)
Timing – Don't over-extract (3-4 min for pour-over, 4 min for French press)
Bonus Tips:
✅ Use filtered water
✅ Preheat your brewer (rinse with hot water first)
✅ Bloom your coffee (pour a little water first, wait 30 seconds, then continue)
✅ Stir or swirl halfway through brewing for even extraction
✅ Clean your equipment regularly (old coffee oils = rancid flavors)
The Best 787 Coffee Beans for Home Brewing
Not all beans are created equal. Here's what we recommend based on how you brew:
For Pour-Over (V60, Chemex, Kalita):
Best Choice: Puerto Rican Single-Origin
Bright, clean, fruity
High-altitude, volcanic soil = complex flavors
Perfect for showcasing terroir
Notes: dark chocolate, caramel, citrus
👉 Shop Puerto Rican Single-Origin
For French Press:
Best Choice: NuevaYol Blend
Full-bodied, smooth, balanced
Blend of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia
Notes: dark chocolate, nuts, caramel
Medium roast = sweet and rich
For Drip Coffee Maker:
Best Choice: NuevaYol Blend or Any Single-Origin
Versatile, forgiving, delicious
Works beautifully in automatic brewers
Consistent results every time
For Espresso:
Best Choice: Our Espresso Blend (if available) or NuevaYol Blend
Balanced, sweet, full crema
Works for straight espresso or milk drinks
Rich and smooth
For Cold Brew:
Best Choice: NuevaYol Blend
Smooth, chocolatey, naturally sweet
Low acidity = perfect for cold extraction
Makes incredible cold brew concentrate
Not sure where to start? Get the NuevaYol Blend. It works for literally everything, and it's our best-seller for a reason.
Common Home Brewing Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Even with the 5 steps, people still make these mistakes. Let's fix them now.
Mistake #1: Using Stale Beans
The Problem: Your coffee tastes flat, dull, or lifeless.
The Fix: Buy fresh beans. Check the roast date. If it's more than a month old, don't buy it. Order from 787 Coffee and get beans roasted THIS WEEK.
Mistake #2: Wrong Grind Size
The Problem: Coffee is either too bitter (ground too fine) or too weak (ground too coarse).
The Fix: Match your grind to your brewing method. Use the chart in Step 2. Adjust until it tastes right.
Mistake #3: Boiling Water
The Problem: Coffee tastes burnt or overly bitter.
The Fix: Let boiling water cool for 30-45 seconds before brewing. Aim for 195-205°F.
Mistake #4: Inconsistent Measurements
The Problem: Your coffee tastes different every time you brew.
The Fix: Use a scale or measuring spoons. Start with 2 tablespoons per 6 oz water and adjust from there.
Mistake #5: Dirty Equipment
The Problem: Coffee has a weird, rancid, or off taste.
The Fix: Clean your grinder, brewer, and coffee pot regularly. Old coffee oils go rancid and ruin fresh coffee.
Mistake #6: Letting Coffee Sit on a Hot Plate
The Problem: Coffee tastes burnt after 20-30 minutes.
The Fix: Brew into a thermal carafe, not a glass pot on a hot plate. Or just brew smaller amounts and make it fresh.
Mistake #7: Not Tasting and Adjusting
The Problem: You keep making the same mediocre coffee.
The Fix: Pay attention. Taste your coffee. If it's not great, change ONE thing and try again. That's what our baristas do every single day.
How to Brew the Perfect Pour-Over at Home (Step-by-Step)
Let's walk through one complete brew method: pour-over. This is the best way to taste the full complexity of 787 Coffee beans.
What You Need:
Pour-over brewer (V60, Chemex, Kalita, etc.)
Paper filter
20g (2-3 tablespoons) of 787 Coffee beans
320g (11 oz) of water
Kettle
Scale (optional but helpful)
Grinder
The Process:
Step 1: Heat Water
Boil water, then let it cool for 30-45 seconds (195-205°F)
Step 2: Grind Coffee
Grind 20g of 787 Coffee beans to medium-fine (like sand)
Step 3: Prep Your Brewer
Place filter in brewer
Rinse filter with hot water (this removes paper taste and preheats the brewer)
Dump rinse water
Step 4: Add Coffee
Add ground coffee to filter
Shake gently to level the bed
Step 5: Bloom (30 seconds)
Pour 40g of water (just enough to wet all the grounds)
Let it sit for 30 seconds (you'll see bubbles—that's CO2 releasing from fresh beans!)
Step 6: Pour in Circles
Slowly pour the remaining water in a circular motion
Keep the water level consistent
Total brew time: 3-4 minutes
Step 7: Enjoy
Remove brewer
Swirl your coffee gently
Smell the aromatics
Take your first sip and ENJOY
That's it. Simple, delicious, and showcases everything special about 787 Coffee beans.
Take Your Home Brewing to the Next Level
Ready to go from good to GREAT? Here are some advanced tips from our baristas.
Level Up #1: Try Different Origins
Coffee from different regions tastes completely different. Puerto Rican coffee has volcanic terroir. Mexican coffee is nutty and chocolatey. Colombian coffee is balanced and smooth.
Order a variety pack from 787 Coffee and taste the difference. It's the best coffee education you can get.
Level Up #2: Experiment with Ratios
Once you've mastered 1:16, try 1:15 (stronger) or 1:17 (lighter). Small changes make a big difference.
Level Up #3: Control Your Pour
For pour-over, pour slowly and evenly. A gooseneck kettle helps, but you can do it with any kettle—just go slow.
Level Up #4: Track Your Brews
Keep a simple coffee journal. Write down what beans you used, grind size, ratio, brew time, and how it tasted. Adjust and improve over time.
Level Up #5: Visit a 787 Coffee Shop
Come taste what our baristas are making. Watch how they brew. Ask questions. We LOVE talking coffee and we're happy to share tips.
Find a location near you: NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield NJ, or Puerto Rico.
Why 787 Coffee Beans Make Home Brewing Easier
Here's the truth: great coffee starts with great beans.
You can follow every step perfectly, but if your beans are mediocre, your coffee will be too.
What Makes 787 Coffee Different:
✅ We grow our own coffee at Hacienda Iluminada in Maricao, Puerto Rico
✅ Hand-picked cherries – only the ripest, highest quality
✅ Small-batch roasting – multiple times per week for maximum freshness
✅ Farm-to-cup transparency – you know exactly where your coffee comes from
✅ Sustainable practices – organic, shade-grown, eco-friendly
✅ Roasted to order – your beans are fresh when they arrive
When you order from 787 Coffee, you're getting the same beans we use in our coffee shops. The same quality our baristas brew every single day in NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield, and Puerto Rico.
This means: Even if you're not perfect with your technique, you'll still make delicious coffee. Fresh, high-quality beans are forgiving. They taste good no matter what.
Coffee Subscriptions: Never Run Out of Fresh Beans
Want to make sure you ALWAYS have fresh coffee at home?
Set up a 787 Coffee subscription and get freshly roasted beans delivered to your door on YOUR schedule.
How It Works:
Choose your favorite beans (or try something new each month)
Pick your delivery frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)
We roast fresh and ship directly to you
Pause, skip, or cancel anytime
Why Subscribe?
✅ Never run out of coffee
✅ Always fresh (roasted right before shipping)
✅ Save money (subscription discounts)
✅ Convenience (one less thing to think about)
✅ Support sustainable coffee farming in Puerto Rico
Think about it: For the price of 2-3 coffee shop visits per month, you can have unlimited incredible coffee at home.
Your Coffee, Your Way
At the end of the day, the best coffee is the coffee YOU love.
Some people like it strong. Some like it light. Some add milk and sugar. Some drink it black. There's no wrong way to enjoy coffee.
But there IS a wrong way to MAKE coffee—and that's using stale beans and guessing your way through the process.
Follow these 5 steps:
Start with fresh beans
Grind right before brewing (correct size)
Use the right water temperature (195-205°F)
Get your ratio right (1:16)
Don't over-extract (watch your timing)
Do this, and you'll brew coffee like a 787 Coffee barista—every single time.
Shop Fresh Puerto Rican Coffee
☕ Order Coffee Beans Online – Freshly roasted, single-origin specialty beans
🌱 Visit Hacienda Iluminada – Tour our coffee farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico
📍 Find a Coffee Shop Near You – NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield, Puerto Rico
🏢 Office Coffee Catering – Cold brew, iced coffee, and more for your team
Be a caffeinated human. Be a NuevaYOL caffeinated human.
Ready to Brew Better Coffee?
Stop settling for mediocre home coffee. You deserve better.
☕ Order Fresh 787 Coffee Beans – Roasted this week, delivered to your door
☕ Start a Coffee Subscription – Never run out of fresh beans again
☕ Shop Our Full Collection – Single-origins, blends, cold brew, and more
From our farm in Puerto Rico to your home—let's make incredible coffee together.
Stay cool and caffeinated,
The 787 Coffee Family
Learn More About Our Coffee
🌱 Visit Hacienda Iluminada – Tour our coffee farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico
📍 Find a 787 Coffee Shop – Visit us in NYC, El Paso, Houston, Westfield, or Puerto Rico
📖 Read More Brewing Guides – Cold brew, espresso, iced coffee, and more
Be a caffeinated human. Be a NuevaYOL caffeinated human.
Let's do this!