How To: Brew Coffee at Home

We asked local coffee shop owners and baristas for their best tip on how to brew the perfect cuppa joe at home. Here are our favorites:

1. "Use cold, fresh water. Make sure coffee pots are clean, clean the brewer with vinegar water and use fresh coffee." - Marianne Hornichak, general manager, Nicholas Coffee Co., Market Square


2. "Always use very cold water. Use less water than you think you need and grind the coffee less than you think you need to." - Ernesto Barbieri, barista, Beehive Coffeehouse, South Side


3. "Keep coffee fresh and only grind it as you use it. Ground coffee only stays fresh for about a year." - Adrienne Biondo, barista, Crazy Mocha, Oakland


4. "Be consistent with the coffee to water ratio to ensure a quality cup of coffee." - Lauren Conti, barista, Blue Horse Coffee, Mt. Lebanon


5. "Store coffee in an air tight container in a dark area, and never refrigerate." - Manola Handler, barista, Crazy Mocha, Shadyside


6. "Use a burr grinder and filtered water. Do not grind the coffee until you're ready to use it." - Wally Williams, barista, Jitters Café, Shadyside

Compiled by Raquel Davila.
Below: Behind the Scenes photos at La Prima Espresso in the Strip District by Laura Petrilla. Click the beans to navigate.