Brew Guide: Coffee Grind & Brew Method Guide

Brew Guide

Great coffee starts with the right grind. Use this guide to match your grind size to your brew method and unlock the full flavor of every Island Cruisers origin.

☕ Extra Coarse — Cold Brew

Grind: Chunky, like rough sea salt
Brew Time: 12–24 hours
Water Temp: Cold or room temperature
Ratio: 1:8 coffee to water

Steep coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12–24 hours in the fridge. Strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth. Serve over ice, diluted 1:1 with water or milk.

Best with: Alma En Camino Blend, any of our Latin American single-origins

☕ Coarse — French Press

Grind: Coarse, like breadcrumbs
Brew Time: 4 minutes
Water Temp: 200°F (93°C)
Ratio: 1:15 coffee to water

Add grounds to the French Press, pour hot water, stir gently, and place the lid on. Press slowly after 4 minutes. Pour immediately to avoid over-extraction.

Best with: Our East African single-origins — bright, fruity, and full-bodied in a press

☕ Medium-Coarse — Chemex / Clever Dripper

Grind: Slightly coarser than table salt
Brew Time: 4–5 minutes
Water Temp: 200°F (93°C)
Ratio: 1:15–1:17 coffee to water

Pre-wet your filter, add grounds, and pour in slow, circular blooms. Allow full drawdown before serving. The Chemex produces a clean, crisp cup that highlights floral and fruit notes.

Best with: Ethiopian or Kenyan single-origins

☕ Medium — Drip / Auto-Drip Machine

Grind: Like coarse sand
Brew Time: 5–6 minutes
Water Temp: 195–205°F (90–96°C)
Ratio: 1:15–1:17 coffee to water

The everyday workhorse. Use a quality burr grinder and fresh beans for the best results. Ideal for consistent, approachable cups at any time of day.

Best with: Any Island Cruisers blend or single-origin

☕ Medium-Fine — Pour Over (V60 / Kalita Wave)

Grind: Like table salt
Brew Time: 2.5–3.5 minutes
Water Temp: 200–205°F (93–96°C)
Ratio: 1:15–1:17 coffee to water

Start with a 30-second bloom (2x the coffee weight in water). Pour in slow, steady spirals. This method rewards precision and highlights the nuanced terroir of single-origin coffees.

Best with: Our East African and Latin American single-origins

☕ Fine — AeroPress

Grind: Like fine table salt
Brew Time: 1–2 minutes
Water Temp: 175–205°F (80–96°C)
Ratio: 1:10–1:15 coffee to water

Versatile and forgiving. Use the inverted method for more control. Press slowly and steadily over 30–40 seconds. Experiment with temperature and steep time to dial in your preferred flavor profile.

Best with: Any origin — great for travel and experimentation

☕ Extra Fine — Espresso

Grind: Like powdered sugar
Brew Time: 25–30 seconds
Water Temp: 195–205°F (90–96°C)
Ratio: 1:2 coffee to espresso output

Dial in your grind until you hit a 25–30 second extraction. Adjust finer if too fast (sour), coarser if too slow (bitter). Espresso rewards patience — small adjustments make a big difference.

Best with: Our blends or bold Latin American single-origins

☕ Super Fine — Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)

Grind: Between espresso and fine — not as fine as espresso
Brew Time: 5–7 minutes
Water Temp: Start with hot water in the base
Ratio: Fill the basket level, no tamping

Fill the bottom chamber with hot water to the valve. Fill the basket with grounds (no tamp). Brew on medium-low heat. Remove from heat as soon as you hear a hissing/gurgling sound.

Best with: Bold, chocolatey Latin American coffees

🌊 Useful tips from your roaster

  • Always grind fresh — pre-ground coffee goes stale within 15–30 minutes of grinding.
  • Use filtered water — water quality directly impacts flavor.
  • Store beans properly — airtight container, away from light and heat. Not in the freezer.
  • Dial in by taste — too sour? Grind finer or brew longer. Too bitter? Grind coarser or brew shorter.
  • Start with our recommended ratio, then adjust to your preference.

Questions? Reach out to us — we love talking coffee.
Every bag we roast is an invitation to explore. Happy brewing. 🌴☕