The 80/20 Rule for Coffee.

In the world of coffee, the 80/20 rule serves as a simple but profound truth: about 80 percent of your coffee’s flavor comes from the bean itself – its variety, growing conditions, and origin, while the remaining 20 percent depends on how you brew it. This principle underscores the idea that great coffee begins long before it reaches your cup. Altitude, soil, climate, and processing methods all leave an indelible mark on a bean’s character, defining whether your cup will carry notes of chocolate, citrus, or spice. No matter how skilled you are with a pour-over or espresso machine, the raw ingredient is where true excellence begins.

That remaining 20 percent, however, is where the magic of craftsmanship enters the equation. The brewing process – grind size, water temperature, extraction time, and technique – can either elevate or mute what nature and origin have given you. The 80/20 rule invites coffee lovers to think like both farmers and artists: to start with the best possible beans, honor them through care and precision, then serve in the iconic Anthora cup.  Even the most advanced equipment can’t transform mediocre beans into greatness, but with the right ones, a mindful brew can reveal the soul of the coffee itself.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the iconic Anthora coffee cup – a true symbol of New York City’s street culture, corner delis, and daily rituals – NY Coffee Cup celebrates its enduring design, cultural significance, and place in coffee history, both in NYC and beyond.