Buy one bag first: No. 1 Common Sense, $28 for 12 oz with free US shipping. Brew it at 60 grams of coffee per litre of water, which is about 21 grams for a 12-ounce mug. It makes a good drip or French press cup and takes milk well, so it covers most of what a daily shop order looks like. Starting with one bag keeps the change small.
What do you lose when you stop the daily run?
The walk, the hello at the counter, and someone else doing the work. Those are real, and we are not trying to talk you out of them. Plenty of people keep the shop for the mornings they want it and make coffee at home for the rest. This is about adding a good home cup, not giving up a good habit.
What changes when you brew at home?
A shop does a handful of jobs you now do yourself. Each one is small.
| What the shop did | What you do at home | The simple version |
|---|---|---|
| Weighed and ground the coffee | Measure it and grind it, or order it ground | 21 g for a 12 oz mug, or 3 to 4 level tablespoons |
| Heated the water | Heat it yourself, or let a drip machine do it | Just off the boil for drip or French press |
| Picked the recipe | Follow the label | 60 grams per litre |
| Made it to order | Make a pot or a mug | A drip machine holds a pot ready |
We sell each coffee whole bean or ground at the same price, so a grinder is optional on day one. If you want to see how the jump goes from pre-ground, we wrote it up in switching from pre-ground to whole bean.
How much coffee for the mug you actually drink?
| Your mug | Water | Coffee at 60 g per litre |
|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | about 240 ml | about 14 g |
| 12 oz | about 355 ml | about 21 g |
| 16 oz | about 475 ml | about 28 g |
A 12 oz bag holds about 340 grams. At 21 grams a mug, that is roughly 16 twelve-ounce mugs. If you make one a day, the bag lasts a little over two weeks. If it tastes weak, add a gram or two next time. If it tastes harsh, take a gram or two away. Our posts on bitter coffee and sour coffee help you read the cup.
Which bag should you buy first?
No. 1 Common Sense, because the label calls it the cup you make every morning without thinking about it. It is a medium roast from Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia, with cocoa, red apple and brown sugar on the label. It is labeled for drip or French press at 60 grams per litre, with water just off the boil.
Our pick
No. 1 Common Sense
Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia · 1,300 to 1,500 m · Fully washed, solar dried · Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, Typica · Medium roast
Cocoa, red apple and brown sugar on the label, and it takes milk without falling apart.
Two others are worth a second bag once you know what you like. No. 7 Praxis (Antigua, Guatemala, medium roast, dark chocolate, bright fruit, butterscotch) is labeled as the one for working out what you like: brew it twice, once at 60 grams per litre and once at 70, and keep whichever you preferred. No. 6 Hegemony (Parana and Sao Paulo, Brazil, medium roast, cocoa, smooth) is labeled as the pot everyone in the house drinks without complaining, with low acidity and a heavy body.
What should you expect in the first week?
Expect to adjust. The first pot is a starting point, not a verdict. Brew the same coffee at the same dose for three or four days, and change only one thing at a time: the amount of coffee, the grind, or the water temperature. After a week you will know whether you want it stronger, milder or finer, and you will have a recipe that is yours. If you add milk, taste a sip black first so you know what the coffee does on its own. Then add milk and see whether you like the balance. None of this needs special gear, and none of it has to be done in a hurry.
How do you make it a habit that sticks?
Set the water and the coffee out the night before, so the morning is one step. If you use a French press, here is our French press pick, and how to clean it so it does not become a chore. When you know which coffee you like, a subscription (11% off, skip or cancel in one click) keeps the next bag coming. You can see all ten coffees any time, and our FAQ answers the shipping questions.
Questions people ask
Do I need a grinder to switch to whole bean?
Not to start. We sell each coffee whole bean or ground at the same price, so you can order ground and brew right away. A grinder lets you control the grind size, which is worth adding once you know which coffee you like.
How much coffee do I use for a 12 oz mug?
About 21 grams at our label dose of 60 grams per litre. For an 8 oz mug use about 14 grams, and for 16 oz about 28 grams. A kitchen scale makes this simple, but a level tablespoon is roughly 5 to 6 grams if you do not have one.
Will it taste like the coffee shop?
Not exactly, and that is fine. A shop has its own beans, machines and recipes. At home you get a fresh pot of one coffee made your way, and you can keep adjusting until it suits you.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.