This 80/20 rule changes coffee taste: Details

What is the Pareto principle?

This principle is well known in many areas of life as the 80/20 Rule or Pareto Principle. It states that approximately 80% of results come from only 20% of causes (efforts).

How can this be applied to the world of coffee? Very simply: 80% of the pleasure, flavor, and quality of your coffee is determined by only 20% of the factors you can influence. By focusing your attention and resources on these key 20%, you can significantly improve your coffee experience without chasing perfection in every little detail.

So what are those "magical 20%" factors that deliver 80% of the result?

Quality and freshness of coffee beans

This is undoubtedly the most important factor. Even the most expensive coffee machine and perfect technique won’t save old, low-quality, or poorly roasted coffee. Buy freshly roasted beans (ideally no more than 2–4 weeks after roasting) from trusted roasters. The variety, country of origin, and roast level are your personal preferences, but quality and freshness are the foundation.

Grinding beans right before brewing

Coffee loses its aroma and flavor within minutes of grinding, as volatile aromatic compounds quickly evaporate and oils oxidize. Grinding your coffee right before brewing is one of the simplest steps that can drastically improve the taste. Even an inexpensive home grinder is better than pre-ground store-bought coffee.

Water quality and temperature

Coffee is 98% water. Tap water that contains chlorine or too many minerals can ruin the flavor. Use filtered or bottled water. Temperature also matters—ideally between 90–96°C, but the key is to avoid boiling water (which "burns" the coffee and makes it bitter) and overly cold water (which results in under-extraction).

Basic brewing technique

You don’t need to become a barista virtuoso, but understanding the basics of your chosen method (for example, the correct coffee-to-water ratio for a French press, pour-over flow speed, tamping pressure for espresso) will ensure proper flavor extraction.

That’s it! These four points are 20% of the effort (or factors) that will give you 80% of the result in the form of significantly tastier and more aromatic coffee.

So what makes up the remaining 80% of effort that brings only 20% of improvement (and often requires much more investment)? This might include:

• Extremely expensive professional equipment (coffee machines worth thousands of dollars)
• Microscopic grind adjustments with precision to the micron level
• Measuring water temperature with decimal accuracy
• Creating a perfect atmosphere with the right music and lighting during every brew
• Masterful latte art on every cup

This doesn’t mean these things don’t matter. They do. But their impact on the basic taste of coffee is far less than the quality of the beans or freshness of the grind. You can own the most expensive machine, but if you load it with old, low-quality ground coffee, the result will be mediocre. Meanwhile, using freshly roasted beans with the right grind and good water, even in a simple cezve or French press, will give you a much better result.

How to apply the 80/20 rule

• Invest in high-quality, freshly roasted beans (better to buy less but better).
• Get at least a simple burr grinder (not blade type) or a manual grinder. Grind right before brewing.
• Use a water filter or buy bottled water with low mineral content.
• Watch a few short video tutorials or read the instructions on how to properly brew coffee using your method (even if it’s just a cup and boiling water, learn about the optimal temperature and steeping time).

Sources: Wikipedia, Happy Monday.

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