I do like the advice grind coarser and extract with more water -- that's made my V60 coffee quality fairly consistent, but everyone's mileage will vary based on how they like their coffee and the roast profile.

There are so many other variables that didn't get a mention: Coffee varietal

Water hardness (and even which other ions are present in the water) and its effects on acids and other compounds that highlight certain varietal's defining characteristics.

Vessel temperatures.

The filters used (materials, paper thinness).

Pouring patterns (circular, concentric, hypotrochoid, more?)

The filter shape and material.

Even the grinder used conical vs. flat burrs and high RPMs vs. low RPMs creates palpable flavor profile differences.

The rabbit hole goes deep and continues to expand.

1) Sourcing high quality coffee to the roast level you enjoy. Try a lot of different coffees - from "Ultra Light" to "American Light" to "Medium" to "Dark" - and find what you enjoy, then find a roaster that produces those coffees to a high quality standard. There will not be a ton of these roasters in your country. Maybe even just a couple, even if you live in the US.

2) A good grinder, of course. Fortunately in the last few years this is wayyyy more accessible. There are pretty good options starting around $300, and the workflow isn't terrible for these picks, either. Of course the sky is the limit here, but it's really vital to a good cup.

3) Good water. You'll want to either find a bottled water brand you like for brewing, or use an reverse osmosis (can be a gravity type) system and remineralize it. Cafes do this (if they are any good) and you should too. There's a chance your tap is great for coffee, but only if you're pretty lucky.

4) Decent brewing equipment. The cheapest is a v60 for pour over. You can make good coffee with pretty much any machine, but some will get in your way and cause you to have to fuss with them much more.

Then, after those, is technique - and the most important part of technique is really grind size and water temperature (I suggest you do not go above 88c in most cases).

This seems to go against conventional wisdom, which says that less coffee will reduce brewing time and a coarser grind will also reduce brewing time, and consensus seems to be that you want a brewing time somewhere between 20 and 30 seconds. Or did I misunderstand something?

Anyway, the reasoning seems sound, so I'm going to have to give this a try.

Also

> This can be achieved using an espresso machine (figure 1), or with smaller contraptions at much lower pressures such as a moka pot or AeroPress.

Please, just stop. They're not even remotely close.

tone is in the hands.

and if you dont know or instantly understand what various foods sound like when things are going right, stay out of the kitchen.

my life has been blessed by some world class mentors, and when I watch a true master, say, barista at work, operating with a focus and good cheer, idistinguishable from a ferocious beast in there lair, then yes, I stand down, simplicate MY process and have another go, which has in fact resulted in my ability to make a consistent brew that I am very happy with.

take your pedals, and other gadjets down to the curb, and work with an absolute minimum till it starts to click.

As for the 6 bar course grind theory: You may maximize the extraction of soluble coffee mass, but the concentration will be lower. It does not take very much extra water to ruin the taste and texture of a latte.

I do not, nor have I ever, utilized the services of a barista. I make coffee at home or I purchase it from Wawa, Sheetz, 7-Eleven, whatnot.