There’s something truly special about settling down with a beautifully brewed cup of coffee at home, isn’t there? At Miles Tea and Coffee, we’ve been crafting those moments since 1888, when Henry Miles first began blending teas in Birmingham. That passion for a proper cuppa carried us to Porlock with Derek Miles, and in the 1980s, we brought the same care to roasting coffee in our coastal factory. For us, a cup of coffee is more than a drink - it’s a moment to pause, reflect and savour life’s simple pleasures, just as it’s been for generations. So, pull up a chair, and let’s share how to use our ground coffee to bring that café warmth into your home with some of the best coffee brewing methods around.
Great coffee begins with great beans, and after over a century of perfecting tea blends, we’ve poured that same devotion into our coffee. Wondering how to make ground coffee taste as good as it should? Grinding whole beans just before brewing captures their full, rich flavour - something we’ve learned from years of blending the perfect cuppa. If you’re using pre-ground coffee, store it in an airtight tin, away from light and moisture, to keep it fresh. The grind size makes all the difference, and we’ll guide you through that as we explore each method, much like we’ve fine-tuned our blends since Henry’s day.
If you love the bold, silky richness of an espresso - the kind that’s the heart of a cappuccino or latte - you’re in for a treat. Whether you’ve got a proper espresso machine or a classic stovetop moka pot, the secret to mastering how to use ground coffee here is a fine grind and a firm, even press in the portafilter. When hot water flows through, it creates a deep, concentrated shot with a lovely crema on top. Using freshly ground Miles coffee beans, roasted in our Porlock factory since the ‘80s, brings that coffee shop quality right to your kitchen.
For a heartier brew that feels like a warm embrace, the French press (or cafetière) is one of the best coffee brewing methods. Add coarsely ground coffee to the press, pour in hot water (just off the boil, around 90–95°C), give it a gentle stir, and let it steep for about four minutes before pressing down the plunger. The result is a full-bodied cup that carries the same depth we’ve chased since our tea-blending days. Grinding whole beans fresh gives you the perfect coarse texture, just as we’d do in our Minehead tasting room.
If you prefer a lighter, crisper cup, pour-over brewing is a wonderful way to highlight coffee’s delicate flavours. It’s a method that feels almost like a ritual. Place a filter in your dripper, add medium-fine ground coffee, and slowly pour hot water in gentle, circular motions. Watching the water draw out those bright, subtle notes is a bit like watching the tides along our Exmoor coast. This method lets our Porlock-roasted beans shine, just as our teas have for over 130 years. Freshly ground beans are essential for that clean, vibrant taste.
At Miles Tea and Coffee, we believe a great cup is about cherishing the moment. Our story began with tea in 1888, and when we started roasting coffee in Porlock in the 1980s, we brought the same heartfelt care to every bean, inspired by our Somerset coast home on the edge of Exmoor. Whether it’s the robust kick of an espresso maker or the cosy depth of a cafetière, there’s a brew for every moment. Explore our range of coffees, crafted with the same dedication Henry Miles poured into his first tea blends, and discover how to make a barista level coffee that feels like a warm embrace from our family to yours, right in the comfort of your own home.
