Expert tips for elevating your coffee at home

Bonnie Mann may be the founder and producer of St. Louis Coffee Fest, but when it comes to brewing coffee at home, she insists she’s an average Joe.

“I can produce a great event, but I’m no coffee scientist,” Mann says with a laugh. “But I have seen that there is a trend right now with people making coffee at home, not only because it is expensive to go out but because there are so many resources to make better coffee at home.”

Mann notes the appeal of brewing your own coffee at home; coffee costs are rising, as are the costs of just about everything else, she says. However, this does not mean your coffee experience needs to be austere. “It’s so much more accessible now to make good coffee at home,” Mann says. “There are options in terms of brewing methods and equipment, and there is also such a wide range of educational opportunities through social media.” 

Quality at-home coffee is such a trend that Mann has included a workshop on the matter at this year’s STL Coffee Fest, which happens this weekend at 18 Rails inside City Foundry. For those unable to make the talk “How to Elevate Your Coffee Drinking Experience at Home,” Mann is sharing her takeaways to make your morning cup more delicious. 

1. Be mindful of bean quality and freshness. Mann is a staunch advocate of buying your coffee from a local brand, but she notes that there can still be quality differences between different roasters. “Coffee can be roasted locally and then sit on a shelf for months,” Mann says. “Those who pay close attention to quality will rotate out their beans after two or three weeks and will put a roasting date on the bag, which is transparent.” The bottom line: Roasting locally is one step in the right direction; the other is the attention to detail after the coffee is roasted.”
2. Always freshly grind your  beans. In professional coffee circles, this tip goes without saying, yet Mann believes it should be reiterated because of how commonplace pre-ground coffee is. And while you can invest in a top-of-the-line grinder, Mann says that you can just as well use something inexpensive to get the job done. “I’ve been using the same little grinder—the kind you hold down to grind—for 30 years, and it works just fine,” she says. 
3. Find your ideal cup. Mann won’t go so far as to say that coffee tastes different in different cups or mugs, but she does note that what you choose to drink from can elevate the overall experience. “I really do believe that there is something about the mug,” Mann says. “I have this one from a coffee shop in the Pacific Northwest that was given to me as a gift, and it just is the perfect size and has the perfect rim.” Even little things like making sure the handle has enough room to fit all four of your fingers, or making sure the rim size is to your preference can make the experience of drinking more enjoyable. 
4. Make your own syrups. Sure, you can buy bottles of premade syrup, but Mann insists it is not that difficult to make your own. Online, it’s easy to find recipes for everything from a simple, five-minute vanilla syrup to make a homemade version of a vanilla latte to more complex flavors like miso-caramel. Even a batch of chai that you can keep on hand can be made with a handful of spices in 20 minutes. 
5. Get a milk frother. Even if you don’t have a fancy espresso machine, you can still make luxurious, frothy milk for your coffee. In fact, Mann is impressed with the level of froth you can get with a handheld frother that can be purchased for around $10. While it won’t’ heat the milk—those start out at about $40—it will still add a wonderful texture to your drink.