Brew Guides

Good coffee doesn't require a barista certificate. It just requires the right grind, the right ratio, and a little patience. This guide covers everything — whether you're making your first cup or dialling in your fifth espresso of the morning.

Start here: pick your brew method below and follow the steps. That's it.

Step 1 — Choose Your Grind

The grind size is the most important variable in coffee. Too fine and it'll be bitter and over-extracted. Too coarse and it'll taste weak and watery. Use this table to match your equipment:

Not sure? Choose Whole Bean and grind fresh at home for the best results.

Espresso (Manual Machine)

Best for: espresso machines, flat whites, lattes, long blacks

Recommended roasts: Daily Grind (smooth & balanced) or Dark Horse (bold & strong)

How to brew:

1. Use 18–20g of Espresso grind
2. Tamp firmly and evenly
3. Pull your shot for 25–30 seconds
4. You're aiming for about 36–40g of liquid in the cup

Ratio: 1 part coffee : 2 parts water (e.g. 18g coffee → 36g espresso)

Tip: If your shot tastes bitter, grind coarser. If it tastes sour or weak, grind finer.

Bean-to-Cup / Fully Automatic Machine

Best for: DeLonghi Magnifica, Jura, Breville Barista, and similar machines with a built-in grinder

Recommended roasts: Daily Grind for a smooth everyday cup, or Dark Horse if you prefer something bolder

Important: If your machine has a built-in grinder, always order Whole Bean — your machine does the grinding for you. Pre-ground coffee can clog the internal grinder and affect the flavour.

How to brew:

1. Fill the bean hopper with Ironhorse Whole Bean
2. Set your machine's grind to medium (adjust finer for stronger, coarser for milder)
3. Select your drink and let the machine do its thing
4. If the coffee tastes too bitter or too weak, adjust the grind setting one notch at a time

Tip: These machines are designed for convenience — fresh whole beans make a bigger difference than any setting. Ironhorse roasts to order, so what goes in your hopper is genuinely fresh.

Pour Over

Best for: filter cones (V60, Chemex, Kalita), drip machines

Recommended roasts: Night Shift (core range) or Flintridge (Latitude Series — Kenya, Ethiopia & PNG) for exceptional clarity and complexity

How to brew:

1. Boil your kettle and let it sit for 30 seconds (aim for ~93°C)
2. Add Filter grind to your dripper
3. Pour twice the weight of water over the grounds and wait 30 seconds — this is the bloom
4. Pour the rest slowly in steady circles over 3–4 minutes
5. Let it drain fully before drinking

Ratio: 1:15 coffee to water (e.g. 20g coffee + 300ml water)

Tip: The bloom releases CO₂ from fresh coffee — if it bubbles a lot, your coffee is very fresh. Good sign.

French Press / Plunger

Best for: French press, plunger pots

Recommended roasts: Dark Horse (core range) or Blackrock (Latitude Series — single origin PNG) for deep, full-bodied immersion brewing

How to brew:

1. Add Plunger grind to your French press
2. Pour hot water (just off the boil) over the grounds
3. Give it a quick stir, then put the lid on
4. Wait 4 minutes — don't rush it
5. Press the plunger down slowly and pour immediately

Ratio: 1:12 coffee to water (e.g. 30g coffee + 360ml water)

Tip: Pour as soon as you plunge — leaving it to sit will make it bitter.

Automatic Drip Machine

Best for: benchtop drip coffee makers without a built-in grinder

Recommended roasts: Daily Grind (core range) or Ironstone (Latitude Series — Honduras, Peru & PNG) for something with a little more character

How to brew:

1. Use Filter grind and fresh filtered water
2. Follow your machine's recommended coffee-to-water ratio
3. For a stronger cup, add a little more coffee rather than reducing water
4. Clean your machine monthly — old oils ruin good coffee

Ratio: 1:15 coffee to water

Cold Brew

Best for: hot days, low-acid coffee, iced drinks

Recommended roasts: Dark Horse (core range) or Blackrock (Latitude Series — single origin PNG, chocolate & maple)

How to brew:

1. Add Plunger grind to a large jar or jug
2. Pour cold filtered water over the grounds
3. Stir, cover, and place in the fridge
4. Steep for 12–18 hours (longer = stronger)
5. Strain through a fine mesh or coffee filter
6. Serve over ice, straight or with milk

Ratio: 1:8 coffee to water (e.g. 60g coffee + 480ml water)

Tip: Cold brew keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Make a big batch on Sunday and you're set for the week.

The Latitude Series — Brew Notes

The Latitude Series coffees are single-origin and multi-origin blends built for those who want to taste where their coffee comes from. They reward attention — especially black, and especially in brew methods that let the coffee speak for itself.

All three are available as the Latitude Expedition — 750g bundle, all roasts included.

Still Not Sure Where to Start?

Try the Ironhorse Trifecta — all three core roasts in one box. Or go deeper with the Latitude Series if you're ready to explore single origins.

Shop the Range →