So, you’ve discovered the perfect brew ratio for your home pour-over coffee, and you want to recreate it.  

You’re probably already paying attention to your grind size, dose, etc. But if you’re ready to move beyond the world of a hobbyist and into that of a professional home brewer (who is always chasing the next level of coffee-making precision), there is one parameter you need to achieve a flavourful, aromatic cup of coffee every time.

Consistent extraction.

Like tea, there are a few working components to getting coffee extraction just right, and it can be even more intimidating to recreate that perfect brew. This guide will provide some tips and tools designed to help you get the most out of your coffee with less of the guesswork. 

1. DiFluid R2 Refractometer

If the perfect cup of coffee begins with proper extraction, the first step is to get visual measurements of every brew. That’s where the DiFluid R2 Refractometer comes in handy. 

Extraction refers to how concentrated your coffee is, measured in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). If you discover a favourite flavour profile, you’ll need to know the TDS extraction yield to recreate it! A refractometer is a small device that gives you real-time feedback, using the passage of light through a sample of liquid coffee to determine its TDS. 

Namely, the DiFluid R2 Refractometer is one of the most effective tools to instantly elevate your brew or espresso coffee. And when it comes to refractometers, the DiFluid is one of the newer models, implementing modern upgrades for the best possible accuracy and precision. I’ll give you a few examples of what I mean: 

• The DiFluid R2 Refractometer can measure TDS with incredible precision, or around ±0.02% accuracy. 
• An aluminum sample dish spreads heat quickly and evenly for correct temperature measurements. 
• It calibrates itself using reference material from previous batches, performing small adjustments on every new test. 
• It features a sleek, digital interface so you can effortlessly navigate settings and read measurements. 
• It houses a CMOS sensor… which is much more sensitive, accurate, and faster than older CCD sensors (commonly used in refractometers). 

Finally, the DiFluid R2 Refractometer is accompanied by its very own app, The CoffeeOS “Brew Controller” for even more user-friendliness and transparency! So, you won’t need months of barista training to achieve the perfect extraction out of your coffee. 

The DiFluid R2 Refractometer is the #1 tool for precision coffee making, giving you the exact feedback you need to dial in the perfect espresso or brew recipe and to recreate it with astounding accuracy. Now, let’s take a look at a few other tools that can help you find that magic brew. 

2. Nucleus Paragon 

There’s nothing more disappointing than coffee that lacks flavour. 

There’s a science behind this struggle, and it lies with “volatile aromatic compounds”. These are the molecules in coffee responsible for nuanced tasting notes (i.e., floral, fruity, chocolatey) and they’re known for evaporating very quickly. 

After realizing this common issue in brewing, Nucleus Coffee Tools partnered with Zurich University of Applied Science to come up with a solution. After years of research, they released the Nucleus Paragon – a pour-over coffee brewer that captures these volatile aroma compounds instead of releasing them into the environment. 

How? With a stainless steel “chilling rock” placed in its center tier, the Paragon cools off freshly brewed coffee just enough to halt the evaporation process, but not enough to make it unpleasant to drink. So, while coffee stays hot, every tasting note stays in your cup where it belongs.

3. Sibarist Filters 

How can a simple product like paper coffee filters be elevated? Sibarist has the answer. 

First off, Sibarist has a filter for just about any brew method from cone, flat-bottom, all the way down to specific brands like Etkin and Graycano. If you’ve struggled to find compatible filters for your brewing setup in the past, Sibarist most likely has you covered. 

Beyond their versatility, Sibarist truly stands out in elevating the everyday paper coffee filter. They’re composed of extra-durable Abacá plant fibres, which allows Sibarist to craft every filter with thinner walls and less paper taste while preserving structure. 

Their filters also incorporate a FAST specialty coffee technology in their fibre composition, encouraging a circulation process that is both fast (for high brew volumes) and uncompromising in achieving the perfect extraction levels. If you need proof… just pull out your DiFluid R2 Refractometer! 

To recap: 

• The DiFluid R2 Refractometer is essential for ensuring the most consistent extraction levels (TDS), allowing you to recreate that magical sip of pour-over coffee or espresso with precision. 
  
• The Nucleus Paragon helps you keep flavourful aroma compounds inside of your coffee, so you can enjoy every tasting note on the bag. 
  
• Sibarist filters are strong, fast-circulating, and versatile, while their thin walls impart less of a paper taste. If you’re going through the trouble to guarantee perfect extraction and flavour aroma compounds in your coffee, the last thing you want is your brew tasting like the filter. 

Now that you’ve got the tools, get out there and start brewing like a coffee professional!