Brew Guides
GB Coffee Brewing Guide ☕
Whether you're a beginner or a home-brew pro, here’s how to get the most out of every cup.
The Basics: Freshness First
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Whole Beans = Maximum Freshness
Grind your beans just before brewing for the best flavour. -
Using Pre-Ground Coffee?
Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or even the freezer.
Don’t worry - frozen grinds are good to go straight from the cold; natural oils prevent clumping. -
Pick the Right Grind
Match your grind to your brewing method:-
Coarse for French Press
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Medium for V60, Aeropress
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Fine for Espresso
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Water Matters
Use filtered water if you can - it enhances sweetness and protects your gear from limescale.
Ideal brew temp: 91–94°C (let your kettle cool for about 60 seconds after boiling).
Brew Methods
☕ French Press / Cafetiere
Simple, classic, full-bodied.
What You Need: Medium-coarse grind
How Much: 20g per cup
Steps:
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Add grinds to the cafetiere.
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Pour over hot water slowly, ensuring all grounds are saturated.
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Brew for 3–5 minutes (longer = stronger).
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Press down gently. If it’s hard to press, the grind might be too fine.
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Pour and enjoy!
🔥 Moka Pot
Bold, rich coffee with stovetop ease.
What You Need: Fine to medium-fine grind
How Much: 20–24g
Steps:
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Fill the bottom chamber with cold water (up to the valve).
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Insert the filter, add coffee (no tamping).
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Screw the top on and place over medium heat.
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When you hear bubbling and hissing, it’s ready!
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Stir, pour, and sip.
🚀 Aeropress
Invented by the creators of the Frisbee! Smooth, quick, and great for travel.
What You Need: Medium-fine grind
How Much: 16g
Steps:
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Boil water and let cool for a minute.
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Insert the plunger just below the “4” mark and stand it upright.
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Add coffee, then pour water up to the “1” mark.
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Stir and set a timer for 1 minute.
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Rinse your filter paper with hot water, then screw the cap on.
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Flip onto a mug and slowly press down.
🌀 V60 Dripper
Bright, clean, and nuanced.
What You Need: Medium grind
How Much: 18g
Steps:
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Rinse your filter to remove paper taste, then add the grounds.
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Start by blooming: pour 70–100ml of water in slow, circular motions and let it sit for 30 seconds.
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Add water in 100ml doses, pausing 10 seconds between each.
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Total brew time: ~3–4 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Quick Reference Brew Ratios
French Press
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20g coffee + 170ml hot water
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Brew 3–4 mins, stir occasionally, then press and pour.
V60 Pour Over
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20g coffee + 170ml hot water
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Bloom with 50ml, then pour in slow circles.
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Total brew time: ~4 mins.
Espresso Machine
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18g coffee in the portafilter
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Brew for 26 seconds
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Aim for 38–40g espresso output
❌ Common Coffee Brewing Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best beans can be let down by simple missteps. Here’s how to keep your brews bold, smooth, and satisfying:
1. Using the Wrong Grind Size
Each brew method needs a specific grind.
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Too coarse? Coffee will taste weak and sour.
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Too fine? You’ll over-extract and get bitterness.
Match your grind to your gear!
2. Water Too Hot or Too Cold
Boiling water (100°C) burns your coffee. Too cool (<90°C) and it’s under-extracted.
🎯 Aim for 91–94°C – just let your kettle rest for 60 seconds after boiling.
3. Stale Coffee
Freshness fades fast. Store whole beans in an airtight container and grind just before brewing.
Avoid clear containers or direct sunlight—they ruin flavour fast.
4. Wrong Brew Time
Every method has a sweet spot.
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Too short = weak and sour
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Too long = bitter and muddy
🕟 Stick to recommended times, then tweak to taste.
5. Dirty Equipment
Old oils and residue = off-flavours.
Rinse and clean all parts regularly—especially mesh filters, portafilters, and rubber seals.
6. Skipping the Bloom (Pour Over)
Not letting coffee “bloom” traps CO₂, which blocks water flow and messes with extraction.
💡 Always bloom your grounds with a small amount of water for ~ 30 seconds first.
Dialing in your brew is part of the fun—learn from each cup and you’ll be a home barista in no time. ☕️💥
Happy Brewing, from all of us at GymBrew!
Ultimate Iced Coffee Brew Guide 🥶
Smooth. Strong. Seriously Refreshing.
From bold espresso to chilled French press — here’s how to master iced coffee at home, no matter your gear.
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What You’ll Need (Basics)
• Whole beans (preferably strong, smooth, low-acid like gymBrew)
• Burr grinder (fresh grind = max flavour)
• Filtered water
• Ice
• Digital scale (optional, for accuracy)
• Brewing tool of choice (see below)
• Optional: milk, alt milks, syrups, protein, shaker bottle
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Method 1: Cafetière / French Press (Classic & Bold)
Grind: Coarse
Ratio: 1:15 (e.g. 30g coffee to 450ml water)
Time: 4 min brew + chill
Steps:
1. Add ground coffee to your French press.
2. Add hot water, stir, and steep for 4 minutes.
3. Press gently.
4. Pour directly over a glass full of ice.
5. Optional: Add a splash of cold milk or shake with ice for a foamy finish.
Tip: Brew stronger if adding a lot of ice or milk.
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Method 2: Filter / V60 / Chemex (Clean & Crisp)
Grind: Medium-fine
Ratio: 1:16
Time: ~3–4 minutes
Steps:
1. Rinse filter with hot water.
2. Add coffee, then begin a slow pour with hot water.
3. Brew directly over a carafe filled with ice (flash chill).
4. Stir and enjoy as-is or over more ice.
Why It Works: Brings out chocolate and caramel notes beautifully.
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Method 3: AeroPress (Smooth & Punchy)
Grind: Fine
Ratio: 1:12 (e.g. 18g coffee to 216ml water)
Time: 2 min brew + chill
Steps:
1. Add coffee to AeroPress.
2. Pour hot water to the top, stir.
3. Brew for 2 minutes, then press over a cup filled with ice.
4. Swirl or shake with extra ice if desired.
Pro Tip: Try the inverted method for a richer brew.
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Method 4: Espresso / Moka Pot (Strongest Hit)
Grind: Very fine (espresso grind)
Ratio: Double shot (18–20g in, 36-40ml out)
Time: 25-30 seconds for espresso
Steps:
1. Pull a double shot of espresso or brew a strong moka pot.
2. Pour immediately over ice.
3. Add cold milk, alt milk, or shake it up for a creamy iced latte.
4. Sweeten if desired - espresso bitterness balances well with syrups.
Ideal for: Iced lattes, espresso tonics, protein-coffee blends.
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Method 5: Cold Brew (Low-Acid & Smooth)
Grind: Coarse
Ratio: 1:8 concentrate or 1:15 ready-to-drink
Time: Steep 12-16 hours (fridge)
Steps:
1. Mix ground coffee + cold water in a jug or jar.
2. Steep overnight (12-16 hours).
3. Strain through filter or cheesecloth.
4. Serve over ice.
5. Dilute with water or milk if you brewed a concentrate.
Bonus: Stays fresh in the fridge up to 5 days.
Customise It! (Optional Boosts)
• Iced Mocha: Add chocolate protein or syrup to espresso or AeroPress
• Iced Oat Flat White: Flash-chilled espresso + ice + oat milk
• Coffee Shake: Cold brew + protein + ice = shake & sip
• Coconut Brew: Cold brew + coconut water = ultra-hydration
How to Brew the Ultimate Iced Coffee at Home
Whether you’re using a French press or an espresso machine, GB Coffee is designed for strength, smoothness, and total versatility. Here’s how to brew like a pro:
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What You’ll Need
• Whole GB Coffee beans
• Burr grinder
• Filtered water
• Ice
• Your brew method (French press, V60, AeroPress, espresso, cold brew)
• Optional: milk, syrups, protein powder
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Step-by-Step Brew Guide
Step 1: Choose Your Method
All work perfectly with GB Coffee:
• French Press - Bold & full-bodied
• V60 / Filter - Smooth, chocolatey
• AeroPress - Quick & punchy
• Espresso / Moka Pot - Intense and strong
• Cold Brew - Low-acid, steeped overnight
Step 2: Grind Fresh
• Coarse: French Press / Cold Brew
• Medium: V60
• Fine: AeroPress / Espresso
Step 3: Brew Stronger
Ice will dilute your coffee, so use these ratios:
• French Press: 30g to 450ml
• V60: 20g to 320ml
• AeroPress: 18g to 200ml
• Espresso: Double shot over ice
• Cold Brew: 60g in 1L of water (steep 12–16 hrs)
Step 4: Chill It
• Flash-chill hot brews directly over ice
• Or go all-in with cold brew overnight
Step 5: Customise
• Add milk (oat, almond, whole)
• Blend in protein post-gym
• Top with maple or caramel for dessert-level vibes
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Optional Boosts
• Iced Mocha: Espresso + chocolate protein
• Coffee Shake: Cold brew + ice + whey
• Coconut Cold Brew: Cold brew + coconut water
• Oat Flat White: Espresso + oat milk over ice
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GB Coffee Perks
• Low-acid = smooth on your gut
• Small-batch roasted weekly
• Organic, sustainable, pesticide-free
• Rainforest Alliance Certified
• Loved by lifters, hustlers & early risers
My Story
Welcome - I’m Mark, founder of gymBrew.
Back in 2015, I kicked off my journey in the health and fitness world — building a thriving community of hundreds of members across six locations in Berkshire, UK.
When 2020 turned everything upside down, I had to adapt and pivot. But one thing never changed: my drive to create meaningful, health-driven experiences.
With my background in nutrition (and a serious love for great coffee), I trained as a coffee roaster and poured my energy into a new pursuit: exceptional coffee that fuels the body and mind.
At gymBrew, we:
•Source direct-trade beans.
•Roast with transparency and precision.
•Put wellness at the heart of every blend.
The result? Coffee that’s refreshingly clean and pure — an exceptional experience you can feel good about, sip after sip.