January has a way of slowing things down. Mornings feel quieter. End-of-year tasks that demanded so much attention have now been mostly wrapped up. And suddenly, there’s time again — to grind your coffee fresh, to get those water-to-coffee ratios right, and to focus on flavour instead of just caffeine on a Saturday morning.
Brewing coffee at home doesn’t have to be complicated. It just asks for a little intention! Aka knowing how to remove the question marks every time you look at the at-home coffee brewing setup you were gifted for Christmas. This guide is about building confidence with home coffee brewing gear you have (or are curious about), and understanding how small adjustments can make a big difference in bringing out the full-bodied flavour of every cup of coffee.
Whether you lean toward pour-over coffee at home, French Press coffee, or AeroPress brewing at home, there’s no “right” way. We guarantee there’s a coffee brewing method that fits your rhythm.
Pour-Over Coffee at Home: How to Brew with Chemex & V60
(Chemex & V60)
Pour-over coffee at home is less about speed and more about precision. It’s a coffee brewing method built on control — water temperature, pour rate, and timing — and it rewards patience with clarity (even extraction) and balance.
Both Chemexbrewersand V60 drippers fall under the pour-over category, but they each behave a little differently. A V60 uses thinner filters and a faster flow rate, often resulting in brighter, more expressive cups. A Chemex, with its thicker filters and slower drawdown, produces a cleaner, softer profile with rounded sweetness. Same category, different personalities.
Pour-over coffee basics to keep in mind:
-
Ratio: Start with 1:15 (20g coffee to 300g water)
-
Water temperature: Aim for 92–96°C (198–205°F)
-
Bloom: Saturate the grounds and wait 30–45 seconds before continuing
-
Pouring: Gentle, steady circles rather than one heavy pour
-
Brew time: Around 2.5–4 minutes, depending on your pour-over brewer and grind
Quick tip:If you need it, you can always choose your grind size for pour-over coffee when ordering, online or in-store.
Pour-over coffee is ideal for coffees with delicate flavour profiles. Florals, citrus, and tea-like notes tend to shine here.
How to Brew French Press Coffee at Home
The French Press is often underestimated, but it’s one of the most approachable ways tobrew coffee at home.
Unlike pour-over, French Press coffee is animmersion brewing method, meaning the coffee and water steep together. This produces a heavier body and richer mouthfeel, making it a favourite for those who enjoy coffee with depth and texture.
Key tips for French Press coffee:
-
Use a coarse grind (think breadcrumbs, not sand)
-
Stick to a similar 1:15 ratio
-
Steep for about 3 - 4 minutes for a lighter flavour, and 5 minutes for darker roasts
-
Stir once, then plunge slowly and evenly
Many people enjoy brewing French Press coffee at home because it’s forgiving. It doesn’t demand perfect pours or precision timing, which makes it ideal for a low-maintenance, enjoyable cup (or a few), whether for yourself or sharing with others.
Brewing with the AeroPress: Small, Versatile, and Surprisingly Powerful
The AeroPress might look simple, but it’s one of the most versatile coffee brewing methods for home use.
Combining immersion with gentle pressure, AeroPress coffee brewing allows for a wide range of styles — from clean and tea-like to bold and concentrated. It’s also compact, durable, and easy to travel with, which makes it a favourite both at home and on the road.
If you’re new to brewing coffee with an AeroPress, keep it simple at first. Choose one recipe, dial it in, and adjust one variable at a time — grind size, brew time, or ratio.
A good place to start is a medium-fine grind for AeroPress, slightly finer than pour-over, paired with water just off the boil (around 90–95°C). Because the AeroPress uses immersion, it’s more forgiving than many home brewing methods — small temperature or timing changes won’t ruin your cup, but they will help you learn what you like.
One simple AeroPress technique we often recommend is starting with the inverted method if you want a bit more control. It allows the coffee to steep evenly before pressing, resulting in a smoother, more balanced cup. This is especially useful when brewing coffee in less-than-ideal conditions.
It’s an excellent option for anyone who likes experimenting, or who wants great coffee at home without committing to a full countertop setup.
Why the AeroPress is one of our favourites
Being a mountain community café, we know January is when ice climbing and skiing conditions reach their peak — and that sunrise starts often happen well before cafés are open, leaving adventure- and caffeine-seeking explorers scrambling for the best on-the-go coffee brewing option.
For early mornings in the mountains, the AeroPress Go comes in especially handy. Lightweight, packable, and reliable, it’s an easy way to make a proper cup of coffee wherever the day starts.
Supporting Coffee Brewing Gear That Makes a Difference
You don’t need a shelf full of equipment to brew good coffee at home, but a few key tools can remove guesswork and help you brew more consistently.
-
Coffee scale for brewing: Helps you repeat recipes you love
-
Coffee grinder: One of the biggest upgrades for flavour and freshness
-
Gooseneck kettle for pour-over: Makes controlled pouring easier and more comfortable
-
Coffee filters: Often overlooked, but they directly affect clarity and body (these filters differ whether you're using a Chemex or a V60 Dripper.
Think of these tools as support, not requirements. Start where you are, and build from there.
Choosing the Right Coffee for Your Home Brewing Method
Different coffee brewing methods highlight different qualities in coffee. Lighter, floral coffees often shine in pour-over coffee at home. Balanced coffees tend to perform well across methods. Fuller-bodied profiles pair beautifully with French Press brewing.
If you’re ever unsure, choosing the right grind size for your brew method can make just as much difference as the coffee itself — and as mentioned, it’s something we’re always happy to help with.
A January Reminder
We’re welcoming January as a time to slow down and reset after a busy season. Keep in mind, you still have the whole year ahead. Whatever your goals are — and whatever intentions you’ve set (maybe one of them is perfecting your at-home coffee brewing setup) — there’s no rush.
Every day is a new day to try something a little different until you find what works best. In the coming months, we encourage you to let coffee be part of your morning ritual rather than something you rush through!
