How to Brew Blacklist Coffee Like a Pro: Expert Tips for the Perfect Cup

There's something special about brewing your own coffee at home — that quiet moment before the first sip, the aroma filling your kitchen, the ritual that starts your day on your terms. But when you're brewing something as exceptional as Blacklist Coffee Roasters, a little technique can turn that daily ritual into an art form.

This November, as we feature Blacklist Coffee Roasters as our Roaster of the Month at Perth Coffee Exchange, we're diving into what makes their blends and single origins shine — and how to get café-quality results from your own setup.

Whether you're an espresso enthusiast, a home barista perfecting your shot timing, or simply someone who wants better mornings, this guide is for you.

Understanding the Blacklist Approach

Before we get hands-on with recipes, it's worth understanding what makes Blacklist Coffee Roasters unique.

Each of their coffees — from the bold Marcato to the elegant Ethiopia Keffa — is roasted with scientific precision and sensory artistry. They don't roast for trends; they roast for clarity. That means every blend is designed to express the bean's natural balance and depth.

And because their flavour profiles are so well-calibrated, getting the most out of them doesn't require complicated equipment — just a bit of knowledge and care.

Brew Basics: Your Foundation for Success

Before you begin, here are three universal rules for brewing Blacklist Coffee like a pro:

Use Freshly Ground Coffee: Grind just before brewing to preserve aromatics and flavour oils.

Mind Your Water: Use filtered water around 93–95°C — Perth tap water can be a little harsh on delicate coffees.

Keep It Clean: Rinse filters, purge your espresso machine, and clean your portafilter regularly. Even small residues can alter taste.

Now, let's break down how to bring out the best in each of Blacklist's blends and single origins.

☕ Pitch Blend — Bold, Balanced, and Effortlessly Versatile

Profile: Medium Roast | Bold, Balanced & Fruity
Best For: Everyday espresso, long blacks, and milk-based drinks

Pitch is Blacklist's flagship blend — approachable yet sophisticated. It delivers a sweet fruitiness and smooth finish that shines through in any format.

Pro Brew Recipe (Espresso):

• Dose: 20g ground coffee
• Yield: 50g espresso
• Ratio: 1:2.5
• Brew Time: 28–32 seconds

💡 Pro Tip: If you prefer a slightly fuller body, push toward 32 seconds; for a fruitier finish, aim closer to 28.

Pair it with silky textured milk for a latte that sings or enjoy it as a neat espresso for clarity and balance.

☕ Opus Blend — Rich, Layered, and Comforting

Profile: Medium-Dark Roast | Chocolate, Red Berries & Spice
Best For: Flat whites, cappuccinos, or bold black espresso

Opus is your bridge between tradition and innovation — where old-school richness meets subtle complexity.

Pro Brew Recipe (Espresso):

• Dose: 20g
• Yield: 40g
• Brew Time: 28–32 seconds

💡 Pro Tip: Use a slightly higher milk temperature (around 60–63°C) to accentuate the chocolate and spice notes without dulling the red-berry brightness.

This blend rewards those who like a full-bodied, comforting cup that still offers a spark of intrigue.

☕ Marcato Blend — The Classic Espresso Experience

Profile: Dark Roast | Cocoa, Molasses & Roasted Almond
Best For: Espresso lovers who crave depth and velvet texture

Marcato is unapologetically bold. Think Italian-style espresso without the bitterness — rich, indulgent, and perfectly balanced.

Pro Brew Recipe (Espresso):

• Dose: 20g
• Yield: 40g
• Brew Time: 24–28 seconds

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your extraction consistent and avoid overdosing. The sweet spot for Marcato is a clean 1:2 ratio with a slightly shorter pour — it preserves the dark chocolate tones while maintaining a creamy mouthfeel.

Serve as a short macchiato or a flat white — it's liquid velvet.

☕ Ethiopia Keffa Single Origin — Bright, Floral, and Intriguing

Profile: Light Roast | Dark Chocolate, Floral, Caramel & Lemon Curd
Best For: Filter brews, pour-over, and delicate espresso shots

This is the coffee that sparks conversation. Ethiopia Keffa showcases floral aromatics and layered sweetness that evolves as it cools.

Pro Brew Recipe (Espresso):

• Dose: 22g
• Yield: 42g
• Brew Time: 23–25 seconds

💡 Pro Tip: If brewing on espresso, use a slightly lower temperature and aim for a quicker extraction — it preserves the delicate citrus notes without overemphasizing acidity.

For Filter Brewing (V60 or Kalita):

• 15g coffee to 250g water
• 2 minutes 45 seconds total brew time (with a 30 second bloom)
• Medium grind (granular, like raw sugar)

This single origin rewards patience — sip slowly, and you'll notice how the flavours unfold from chocolate to lemon to sweet caramel.

☕ Brazil Fazenda 3 Rios — Smooth, Sweet, and Crowd-Pleasing

Profile: Medium Roast | Pulped Fruit, Black Plum & Maple Syrup
Best For: Espresso or milk-based drinks

Fazenda 3 Rios is the comfort cup — clean, balanced, and luxuriously smooth. It's a testament to Brazilian coffee's consistency and natural sweetness.

Pro Brew Recipe (Espresso):

• Dose: 21g
• Yield: 40g
• Brew Time: 26–28 seconds

💡 Pro Tip: For milk drinks, steam your milk to 58–60°C and keep it glossy. The maple sweetness and black plum flavours blend beautifully with milk's natural lactose sweetness.

This one's also excellent as an iced latte — brew as espresso, pour over ice, and top with chilled milk.

🍵 AeroPress Magic: The Perfect Travel Companion for Blacklist Coffee

Best Blacklist Pairings: Ethiopia Keffa, Pitch Blend
Perfect For: Office brewing, camping trips, or quick mornings

The AeroPress might look unassuming, but this humble brewer produces exceptional results with Blacklist's coffees. Its pressure brewing method combines the best of filter and espresso, creating a clean cup with impressive body.

Inverted AeroPress Recipe for Blacklist Ethiopia Keffa:

• 17g coffee, ground medium-fine
• 250g water at 85°C (slightly cooler than usual)
• AeroPress with paper filter (rinsed)
• Timer

The Method:

1. Assemble your AeroPress in the inverted position (plunger up)
2. Add your ground coffee
3. Start timer and pour 50g water, stir gently to saturate grounds
4. At 30 seconds, add remaining 200g water
5. Attach filter cap with rinsed filter
6. At 1:30, flip carefully onto your mug and press slowly until 2:15

💡 Pro Tip: The Ethiopia Keffa truly shines in the AeroPress—its floral notes become more pronounced, while the shorter brew time keeps the acidity balanced and bright rather than sharp.

Stronger AeroPress Recipe for Marcato Blend:

For those mornings when you need something with more punch, try this concentrated recipe with the bold Marcato:

• 22g coffee, ground medium
• 160g water at 92°C
• Total brew time: 1:45
• Dilute with 40-80g hot water after brewing (to taste)

This creates a rich, intense brew that captures Marcato's chocolate and almond notes while maintaining smoothness.

🧊 Japanese Iced Coffee: Blacklist's Spring Refresher

Best Blacklist Pairings: Brazil Fazenda 3 Rios, Opus Blend
Perfect For: Perth's warming spring days and early summer evenings

Unlike cold brew, Japanese iced coffee uses hot extraction directly over ice, preserving the coffee's brightness and complexity while creating an instantly chilled beverage—ideal for Perth's spring weather as the days grow longer.

Blacklist Japanese Iced Pour-Over:

• 25g coffee (ground slightly finer than normal pour-over)
• 150g ice cubes in serving vessel
• 200g water at 95°C
• V60 or similar pour-over device

The Method:

1. Place ice in your serving vessel beneath the dripper
2. Add coffee to filter and create a small divot in the center
3. Begin with a 50g bloom, stirring gently to ensure all grounds are saturated
4. At 45 seconds, slowly pour remaining water in circular motion
5. Let all water drain through (total brew time around 2:30-3:00)

💡 Pro Tip: Brazil Fazenda 3 Rios makes a stunning Japanese iced coffee—its natural sweetness and plum notes intensify when brewed this way, creating a refreshing drink that needs no added sweetener.

Fine-Tuning Your Technique

No matter which Blacklist coffee you choose or which brewing method you prefer, a few finishing touches can elevate your brew from "great" to "unforgettable":

• Dial in with patience: Minor grind adjustments (as little as 0.1mm) can shift flavour dramatically.
• Use a scale: Precision equals consistency — 1 gram can change everything.
• Listen to the pour: Your machine's rhythm and colour changes tell you more than any timer.
• Texture your milk with intention: Think silky microfoam, not froth. Swirl, not stab.
• Trust your palate: Coffee is personal. Adjust recipes to suit your taste preferences.

It's not about following a recipe perfectly — it's about learning how your coffee responds and trusting your senses.

Why It Matters

At Perth Coffee Exchange, we believe brewing great coffee at home isn't about perfection — it's about presence. When you take the time to prepare coffee with care, you start noticing things: the aroma, the weight of the portafilter, the first rise of crema.

That's when you understand why Blacklist Coffee Roasters stands out. Their precision roasting gives you a coffee that feels alive — expressive, balanced, and full of character.

And when you brew it well, that character shines.

✨ Ready to Brew Brilliance?

This November, experience the full range of Blacklist blends and single origins at Perth Coffee Exchange — crafted for those who value flavour, balance, and the simple joy of a perfect cup.

→ Explore Blacklist Coffee Roasters at Perth Coffee Exchange

Because great coffee isn't just about how it's roasted — it's about how you brew it, how you store it, and how you make the most of each unique blend and origin. From your morning espresso to an afternoon AeroPress on your desk, Blacklist coffees adapt to your lifestyle while maintaining their distinctive character.

What's your favorite way to brew Blacklist? Drop by our shop and share your recipes—we're always looking to learn from our community of passionate coffee lovers.