The Brew Blog

PRO COFFEE TIPS, FUN FACTS, & MORE

$refractometer by river being held by person$

How to Use a Refractometer for Coffee

A coffee refractometer measures TDS so you can calculate extraction yield. How to use one, when it earns its place, and why most home brewers don't actually need it.
Brew Strength vs Extraction: Why TDS Doesn't Mean Strong

Brew strength and extraction yield are independent. Strength is concentration (TDS); extraction is completeness (EY). Why mixing them up causes most home coffee.
Brewing by Weight: Why a Scale Is Non-Negotiable

Brewing coffee by weight is the cheapest, biggest consistency upgrade available. Why scoops and tablespoons fail, what to look for in a scale, and the workflow.
The SCA Brewing Control Chart, Explained for Home Brewers

The SCA brewing control chart maps strength (TDS) against extraction (EY). What the ideal box means, how to read every quadrant.
Coffee Solubility 101: What Actually Dissolves in Brewing

Coffee solubility explained: only 28–30% of a bean is soluble, target 18–22% extraction, and why acids dissolve first, sweetness in the middle, bitter compounds.