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how to make Cafe Bustelo in a drip coffee maker
Café Bustelo is a popular Cuban-style coffee known for its strong, concentrated flavor and dark roast. Making Café Bustelo properly brings out its signature bold, rich taste. With the right technique, you can brew up a cup of Café Bustelo espresso that rivals your favorite coffee shop using just your regular drip coffee maker at home.
In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make authentic tasting Café Bustelo using a standard drip coffee machine. You’ll learn the proper coffee-to-water ratio, brewing time, and other tips to draw out the full robust flavor of this dark-roast Cuban coffee.
Follow these steps and you’ll be able to make café Bustelo like a pro barista in your own kitchen.
Why Make Your Own Café Bustelo?
Before we get into the how-to, let’s look at why you’d want to make your own Café Bustelo in the first place:
- It’s inexpensive – Buying Café Bustelo in bulk is very affordable compared to purchasing a cup of espresso at a coffee shop daily. This allows you to enjoy café Bustelo coffee more often.
- Customize your cup – Making it yourself allows you to adjust the strength and flavor exactly to your taste by tweaking the number of coffee grounds.
- Convenience – With the steps below, you can whip up a cup of Café Bustelo in just a few minutes right in your own home.
- Consistency – Once you dial in the proper coffee-to-water ratio and brew time, you can replicate that perfect cup of Café Bustelo easily and consistently.
Now let’s get into how to make that perfect cup of café Bustelo using a standard drip coffee maker.
How to Make Café Bustelo in a Drip Coffee Maker
Making Café Bustelo in a traditional drip coffee machine takes just a few simple steps. Here is the process from start to finish:
1. Use the Right Coffee to Water Ratio
Café Bustelo has a very bold, strong flavor because it uses more coffee grounds per cup compared to typical brewed coffee.
For drip coffee makers, the ideal Café Bustelo ratio is:
- 2 tablespoons of Café Bustelo ground coffee per 6 oz of water
This produces a concentrate similar to a shot of espresso. Adjust the amount of water and coffee grounds to make a full mug of coffee.
For example, for a 12 oz mug:
- Use 4 tablespoons of Café Bustelo coffee grounds
- Brew with 6 oz water to produce a concentrate
- Dilute concentrate with an additional 6 oz of hot water before drinking
Use this 2:1 coffee grounds to water ratio as a starting point. Adjust to your particular tastes as needed. More coffee makes a bolder, stronger cup.
2. Use Medium-Fine Ground Coffee
The grind size affects the flavor and brew time. Café Bustelo uses a medium-fine grind, which is between a regular drip coffee grind and a true espresso grind.
Make sure to buy pre-ground Café Bustelo coffee, not a whole bean. The pre-ground Café Bustelo is already the perfect consistency for drip coffee makers.
3. Brew for 4-5 Minutes
After adding the coffee grounds and water to your drip coffee machine, brew for 4-5 minutes. This allows the water enough time to properly extract the full flavor from the finely ground Café Bustelo coffee.
Brewing for less than 4 minutes may result in weaker coffee, while over 5 minutes could lead to some bitterness. 4-5 minutes is ideal for drip coffee makers.
4. Dilute the Concentrate
After brewing, you’ll have a very concentrated Café Bustelo coffee concentrate. Pour this concentrate into your mug first, then add an equal amount of hot water to dilute it to drinking strength.
For a 12 oz mug, brew 6 oz of concentrate then add 6 oz hot water. The 2:1 dilution ratio is perfect for bringing out all the rich espresso notes in the coffee.
5. Drink Immediately
Pour yourself a mug and enjoy your homemade Café Bustelo right away while it’s hot and fresh. The bold, robust flavor will be at its peak.
And that’s it! Just follow these simple steps of the right coffee-to-water ratio, brew time, grind size, and dilution process, and you’ll be able to make café Bustelo coffee at home just like a pro.
Tips for Making the Best Café Bustelo
Now that you know the basics, here are some additional tips and suggestions to take your homemade Café Bustelo to the next level:
- Use freshly ground coffee – Pre-ground Café Bustelo coffee starts losing its flavor shortly after being ground. Buy whole bean Café Bustelo and grind it yourself right before brewing for the freshest, boldest taste.
- Keep coffee maker clean – Rinse out your drip coffee machine regularly to prevent any old coffee residue from tainting the flavor.
- Use cold filtered water – Good-tasting coffee starts with quality water. Cold-filtered water is ideal. Avoid tap water, which can impart off-tastes.
- Weigh grounds instead of using tablespoons – For complete consistency, weigh out coffee grounds using a kitchen scale instead of measuring by volume. 15 grams of fine grind per 1 oz of water is recommended.
- Heat water first – Always start by heating the water in the coffee maker before adding the grounds. This helps extract the full flavor.
- Store coffee properly – Keep unused Café Bustelo coffee sealed tightly in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Refrigerate if stored for over two weeks.
- Customize taste with more coffee – Add extra tablespoons of grounds if you prefer an even bolder, stronger Café Bustelo.
- Try a coffee press – Although drip machines work great, you can also brew concentrated Café Bustelo using a French press for another flavor profile.
With the proper method and these additional tips, your homemade Café Bustelo can taste just as amazing as having it in a cafe. Part of the fun is experimenting and customizing it to your preferences.
FAQ
What is cafe bustelo?
Cafe Bustelo is a popular brand of coffee known for its bold and strong flavor. It is a dark roast coffee that is finely ground, making it ideal for brewing espresso or strong coffee.
Can I make Cafe Bustelo in an espresso machine?
Yes, you can make cafe bustelo in an espresso machine. Simply use the appropriate amount of Cafe Bustelo coffee and follow the instructions of your espresso machine for brewing.
How much Cafe Bustelo coffee should I use?
A: The amount of Cafe Bustelo coffee to use depends on your preferred strength and the number of cups you want to make. As a general guideline, use 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 6 ounces of water. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
Can I use Cafe Bustelo in a pour-over coffee maker?
Yes, you can use Cafe Bustelo in a pour-over coffee maker. Simply place the appropriate amount of Cafe Bustelo coffee grounds in the filter of the pour-over coffee maker, and pour hot water slowly over the grounds to brew.
How can I make a strong cup of Cafe Bustelo?
To make a strong cup of Cafe Bustelo, you can either increase the amount of coffee used or decrease the amount of water used during the brewing process. Experiment with different ratios until you achieve your desired strength.
What type of coffee beans does Cafe Bustelo contain?
Cafe Bustelo contains finely-ground dark roast coffee beans. The dark roast gives it its rich and bold flavor.
How do I make Cafe Bustelo without a coffee machine?
If you don’t have a coffee machine, you can still make Cafe Bustelo using alternative brewing methods such as a pour-over coffee maker, a stovetop espresso maker, or even brewing it as instant coffee. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio based on the method you choose.
How can I make the perfect cup of Cafe Bustelo every time?
To make the perfect cup of Cafe Bustelo every time, it’s important to use the right coffee-to-water ratio, ensure your coffee grounds are fresh, and follow the brewing instructions for your chosen brewing method. Additionally, storing your coffee beans in an airtight container and grinding them just before brewing can help enhance the flavor.
How does Cafe Bustelo compare to regular coffee?
Cafe Bustelo is a stronger and bolder coffee compared to regular coffee. It is ideal for those who prefer a more intense coffee flavor and a higher caffeine content.
What is the best way to make Cafe Bustelo?
The best way to make cafe Bustelo is subjective and dependent on personal taste preferences. However, popular methods include brewing it as espresso, using a drip coffee maker, or using a pour-over coffee maker. Experiment with different brewing methods to find your preferred way to make Cafe Bustelo.
Conclusion
Café Bustelo is an intensely flavored Cuban coffee. With just a basic drip coffee maker at home, you can brew cups of Café Bustelo espresso with a strong, indulgent taste to rival your local coffee house.
By following the recommendations in this article for the proper coffee grounds to water ratio, medium-fine grind size, optimal brew time, and dilution process, you’ll be able to make delicious café Bustelo yourself any time with ease.
Drink it black to enjoy the undiluted richness and body. Adjust the strength to your liking with more or less grounds. Sip Café Bustelo first thing in the morning for an extra caffeine jolt or after dinner for a delicious dessert-like coffee indulgence.
So try out these tips today. With just a bit of practice, you’ll be making and enjoying café Bustelo like a true pro. Let me know how your homemade Café Bustelo turns out in the comments!
I’m Ian Welkins, a seasoned professional in the kitchen industry. My passion now drives me to provide invaluable insights into the world of top-notch kitchen products. With years of hands-on experience, I’m your go-to source for culinary excellence.
