Dial in the perfect brew strength.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends a "Golden Cup" ratio of 55g coffee per 1 liter of water (approximately 1:18) for drip coffee. Most specialty coffee enthusiasts prefer 1:15 to 1:17. Espresso uses a dramatically different ratio (1:2 to 1:3 by weight) — 18g of coffee to 36g of liquid in 25-30 seconds. French press works best at 1:15 with a coarse grind and 4-minute steep. Cold brew concentrate at 1:5 is diluted 1:1 before drinking. Grind size must match the method: fine for espresso (contact time ~25 seconds), medium for drip (3-5 minutes), coarse for French press and cold brew (4 min to 12-24 hours). Water temperature of 92-96°C is ideal for hot brewing — boiling water over-extracts and creates bitterness.