Tricks on How to Make the Best Coffee (from BReD)

Our coffee expert (and co-founder of BReD), Natasha, reveals her secrets to help you make the best cup of coffee from the comfort of your own home.

Many of us start our mornings with coffee.

A good cuppa joe can set the mood for the entire day and, now that so many of us are working from home, you might be wondering how to brew the best coffee yourself.

Why not come visit one of the best coffee shops in Whistler.

So we’ve done our best to provide you with our tips and tricks to help you make the perfect cup whenever you need that extra pick-me-up.

But for those times when you just NEED to get out of the house, you can always pop by our vegan bakery for the best coffee in Whistler!

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First things first…

You’ll need some coffee beans

But how do you choose the best bag of coffee without having to open it first?

Well, we’re not claiming that you can guarantee coffee will be any good without trying it, but there are a few indications.

How to Choose a Good Bag of Coffee

Here are a few things to look out for when searching for the best coffee beans:

1. Direct trade roaster

Source freshly-roasted beans from a direct trade roaster for high-quality AND morally sound coffee.

A direct trade roaster is a coffee brand who buys beans straight from the growers.

This cutting out of the middleman allows brands to build mutually beneficial and ethical relationships with their suppliers.

Direct trade allows roasters to ensure their suppliers align with their values, including social responsibility, environmental impact, and quality of the beans.

Natasha recommends Vancouver-roasted Elysian Espresso, which is the brand of coffee we use in our Whistler-based bakery!

Elysian espresso is the most versatile coffee we roast. We intentionally design each new espresso to pair perfectly with plant milk. This means creamy, sweet lattes and cappuccinos.

But did you know you can brew Elysian espresso as filter too? It delivers maximum sweetness, extremely low acidity and really satisfies when you need a rich coffee in the morning.

We purchase all our coffees seasonally so the roasting team has to work hard to source the right coffees.

Elysian works directly with independent producers and cooperatives to ethically source the best quality coffee, which they roast on-site in their German cast-iron Probat roaster.

2. Roast date

Look for the roast date on the bag.

“Don’t buy coffee that is older than a month – the fresher, the better,” urges Natasha, “If there is no roast date, it is likely to be stale.”

3. Bag aroma

Give that bag of coffee a sniff.

Go on, we’re not just trying to make you look silly.

Natasha tells us:

“You should be able to smell the aroma through the bag”

If you can smell the coffee, it’s more likely to be fresh!

4. Whole beans

Freshly ground coffee beans are the best.

So, if you can, we recommend buying whole beans and grinding them immediately before making your next cup of joe.

NEVER buy pre-ground – it is stale!

Also, you cannot choose the coarseness for your equipment (fine = espresso machine, coarse = french press, in the middle = aeropress).

Ok, so not everyone has a grinder at home…in which case, get yourselves along to BReD in Whistler and treat yourself to the best freshly ground cup of coffee in Whistler.

OR

If you like coffee, invest in a grinder.

Honestly, it makes a noticeable difference to the taste.

The Best Coffee Grinder

“Use a grinder with burrs rather than a blade – this ensures an even grind,” reveals Natasha.

Blades just cut beans into various sizes of fragments, making it difficult to get a consistent brew.

We like the Porlex hand grinder, which we sell at BReD.

The Porlex hand grinder is man-powered so you can even take it camping!

Home Brewing Methods for the Perfect Cup of Coffee

There are now plenty of brewing methods available for use at home.

The best method for you depends on where you will be brewing, how many people you are making coffee for, and your taste preference.

1. French Press Method

A super-easy way to brew coffee. Simply spoon in your desired amount of freshly ground coffee and steep in hot water before pressing the plunger down and pouring it out into your favourite mug.

The French Press method is a fantastic way to brew a consistently good and luxurious coffee for more than one person at a time (or if you like to enjoy several cups yourself).

2. AeroPress Method

This compact coffee brewing method allows you to make coffee in a number of different ways, including via a combination of immersion and pressure.

Some believe that the AeroPress is one of the best methods for brewing a perfect cup of coffee, as it provides nuanced flavours and a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel.

3. Stovetop/Moka Pot Method

A stovetop coffee maker with 3 chambers, the stovetop (or Moka pot) method involves pressure caused by heat to turn water into vapour, which immerses the freshly ground coffee in the chamber above.

The vapour mixes with the grounds and transforms into a liquid once again, while the pressure continues to force the brewed coffee upwards through the filter and funnel into the upper chamber.

The stovetop method makes a particularly strong cup of coffee and requires a bit more supervision than the other methods.

4. Cold Brew Method

Not to be confused with iced coffee, cold brew coffee is brewed in cold or room temperature water.

This method takes time but is favoured amongst those who dislike the bitterness of coffee. The slightly sweeter, more refreshing, and yet intense flavour makes this the best cup of coffee some have ever tasted.

5. Pour-Over/Chemex Method

The only equipment required for the pour-over method is a coffee filter, cone funnel, and coffee mug.

Simply place the filter into the funnel and sit that above the mug, then pour hot water into the funnel and wait until the coffee drips down to provide a full cup of brown.

The Chemex method is similar but differs due to its elegant design.


Invented in 1941, the Chemex Coffeemaker is an icon of design, a work of art and a perfect product. Our handblown series is crafted in small batches by highly skilled glassblowers located in Croatia. Visit our website to learn more about the incredible process behind making these timeless pieces. #chemex

Brewing the Best Coffee at Home

Natasha shares her step-by-step instructions on how to brew the perfect cup of coffee using a French press.

We recommend using a French Press as a good starting method because it is cheap, simple to use, makes more than one cup of coffee (if desired), and provides a full-bodied and consistent brew.

Ready, set, brew:

  1. Grind your coffee beans (finer if using an espresso machine and coarser for French press)
  2. Weigh each shot – usually, 20g per cup is a good starting place*
  3. Heat the cup and the French press before making coffee
  4. Boil the kettle and let it cool to 195 degrees Fahrenheit (a couple of minutes of the boil with the lid still on)
  5. Pour enough water into the French press to immerse the coffee, mix to wet all of the grounds, and allow to bloom for 30 seconds
  6. Pour in the remaining water and steep the coffee for around 4 minutes
  7. Press down the plunger and pour
  8. Serve black or accompanied by your desired plant-based milk of preference
  9. You will find darker roasts are bitter and may need sugar to make them palatable, whereas a light/medium roast can be sweet enough that no sugar is required

*You may add or drop a few grams to see if that improves the taste, but I recommend adjusting the length of time brewing the coffee before changing the dosage and adjusting the dosage before changing the grind size

The Best Sustainable Coffee in Whistler

A good cup of coffee can make us feel amazing but now you can feel even more incredible when you buy a cup of coffee from our vegan bakery in Whistler.

In addition to using compostable coffee cups and lids, we plant a tree for every cup you buy!

What’s more, we only use Arabica beans as they promote biodiversity, are less intensively farmed, and contribute towards a more sustainable future.

So, if you’re looking for a feel-good planet-giving cup of coffee, then don’t forget to pop by BReD next time you’re in Whistler!