How to Make The Perfect Cup of Coffee Start with Whole Bean Gourmet Coffee.   Grind 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup. i.e. 10 cup pot=10 Tablespoons.   Use a drip brewer with a paper filter that will brew a pot of coffee in no less than 3 minutes, nor more than 4 minutes. A longer brewing time could cause over extraction which will make the coffee bitter. Remove grounds immediately.   Store unused coffee in an airtight container in the freezer.