How to Make the Best At-Home Coffee – featuring Boca Java Coffee

You know I’m serious about coffee. And I’ve raved about Boca Java before. I even created a coffee-themed gift guide last year! But I’ve never shared with you exactly how we make the best at-home coffee.

After all, between work and raising a toddler, coffee is a morning necessity.

Buying the Best At-Home Coffee

I used to buy Boca Java exclusively through their website. And while that’s still an option, their coffee is now available on Walmart.com too!

The reason Boca Java is so much better than most other coffee out there is because they don’t roast the coffee beans until you order it! That means you’re getting the freshest bag possible – and the shipping only typically takes a couple of days.

My husband always loves being around when I open a box from Boca Java, because the smell is amazing!

Also, PSA: Pumpkin Paradise (Boca Java’s version of pumpkin spice) is back seasonally! Grab a few bags – it’s so good!

Tip: Order $35 worth of coffee on Walmart.com and get free shipping!

Whole Bean vs. Ground – Which makes the best at-home coffee?

The short, simple answer is: whole bean coffee makes the best at-home coffee.

The longer answer: order whole bean coffee and grind it yourself. A decent coffee grinder is only about $15 and is so worth the investment.

When you order Boca Java from Walmart, they roast the beans and send that beautiful freshness to your door. If you order whole bean, it’s going to stay fresh and fragrant waaaay longer than the already ground coffee.

If you need to order it ground, though, I recommend just a couple of bags at a time – add a bag or two to a Walmart.com order to combine for free shipping. That way, you’re drinking all the ground coffee before it gets too old. Although, we have a couple of bags of ground coffee from Boca Java that are a few months old, and they still taste fantastic when we brew the coffee!

If you want to make cold brew, you have to order WHOLE BEAN; ground coffee is too fine.

Making the Best Hot At-Home Coffee

Start by freshly grinding your coffee beans, right before you want to make the coffee.

Add 2 tablespoons of coffee to your coffee maker for every 8 ounces of water or adjust to your taste. We use about 4 tablespoons to make 3 or 4 cups of coffee, but if I’m making an individual cup, I still use an entire 2 tablespoons.

Our favorite coffees for hot brewing: Caramel Kiss Island and Pure Peruvian. Bonus on the Peruvian coffee: part of the proceeds help support building a school in a Peruvian farming community. Read more about it here. Coffee tastes even better when you’re helping make the world a better place.

Making the Best At-Home Cold Brew

Over the last year, cold brew has become our favorite way to make coffee. If only we could remember to put a new pitcher in the refrigerator in the morning!

That’s the thing about cold brew – you have to let it brew for 24 hours before drinking it. So you gotta be on top of your game and thinking ahead. But it is so, so worth it.

Start by coursely grinding 1/2-3/4 cup of coffee beans. You can adjust the amount as you learn how much and how strong you want your cold brew.

The beans needs to be course, not fine like you normally see ground coffee. Finely ground coffee will slip through the mesh in the cold brew and you’ll be drinking coffee grounds. No thanks!

Add your coursely ground coffee beans to the mesh part of your cold brew pitcher – also a very affordable Walmart.com or Amazon purchase! Fill the pitcher with water, shake it a little bit to get the process going, and put it in the fridge! Drink in 24 hours or more.

Our favorite coffees for cold brewing: any of the medium or dark roast coffees. I don’t recommend light roast – the cold brew doesn’t get strong enough – and I really don’t recommend flavored coffees. Flavored coffees are FANTASTIC with the regular brew method, but we don’t care for them in the cold brew. The medium and dark roast plain coffees make the most delicious cold brew!

The Best Additions

While your coffee is brewing, make a simple syrup on the stove. Combine equal parts water and sugar – let’s say 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar – and heat over medium or medium low until the sugar is dissolved. Stir often to make sure the sugar doesn’t burn.

Let the syrup cool and then store in an airtight container – I use a mason jar – in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

To finish the best at-home coffee: When your Boca Java hot coffee or cold brew is ready, add a tablespoon (or more, to taste) of simple syrup and a splash of heavy cream or half-and half. That’s all – this coffee is so good, it doesn’t need any craziness!

Inquiring minds need to know, though: What is your favorite thing to add to your coffee? Creamer? Caramel syrup? Give me all the ideas!