That morning cup of joe is something million of Americans can’t live without. You might start asking yourself “what more is there to know about coffee”, but do you know what? With all the blends out there and all the different styles, there are some things about coffee you might not know. Here are some tips to make coffee even more palatable to you!
The best coffee typically comes from a coffee press. Instant coffee is over-processed and tends to taste awful, while whole bean coffee offers the best aroma and flavor. When you grind it yourself fresh, you’ll be amazed at the difference. Using a press brings out all the best notes, too!
For a quick and affordable brew of espresso, try using a Moka stovetop coffee pot. Mokas generally produce one or two cups of coffee in the amount of time it takes to boil that amount of water. The coffee is brewed by pressurized steam rising through a funnel of coffee grinds and then rising again into the top chamber where it is ready to be poured into a cup.
If you prefer to purchase whole coffee beans, do not grind the beans ahead of time. The longer it stays ground up the less flavor it will have. Grinding all of your coffee beans at once can result in weaker coffee.
Always find out how much caffeine a certain type of coffee contains before drinking it. Espressos do not necessarily contain more caffeine than other types of coffees. If you go to a coffee shop, your barista should be able to tell you how much caffeine you are getting in each beverage, but you might have to do some research about the beans you are using if you make your own coffee.
Are you happy with the coffee made with your drip coffee maker? Better brews can be achieved by allowing your machine to get hot by running a water-only cycle. When it’s heated the full cup of water, you may begin again with the grounds. You can freshen up your machine in this manner as well.
Always store your coffee beans or grinds in a dark, cool, airtight container. Even better, use a vacuum container. Storing your coffee in such a container helps keep your coffee smelling and tasting fresh for a long time. Store the container in the fridge or freezer to maximize freshness.
Reheated coffee never tastes the same as a fresh cup. Use a thermal mug instead. This will keep your coffee warmer longer. If you do not have a mug like this, just brew a new pot to enjoy the best flavor.
When grinding your coffee at the store, use a medium grind if you plan to drip brewed coffee. A medium grind is similar to the consistency of granulated sugar. This grind is perfect for a drip brew that takes about 6 minutes. If it takes longer, use a coarser grind.
When you are looking for a coffee grinder, do not purchase one that uses blades. Instead, look for one that has cone shaped or grinding burrs to reduce the beans. You will obtain a more consistent cut. Also, the flat blades have a tendency to overheat and can give your coffee a scorched flavor.
Avoid storing your coffee near the oven. This is possibly the fastest way to reduce the quality of your coffee, due to the heat emitted from the oven. Steer clear of counter tops and cabinets, even if it is above the oven itself.
Are you struggling to brew the delicious coffee you love from your favorite coffee shops yourself? Try using more coffee. Typically, coffee houses mix six ounces water for every two tablespoons full of coffee grounds. Experiment to find the ratio that works for you. Also understand that you’ll need to change things up as you try different blends.
Make sure that you refrain from combining coffee beans from different brands. Not only will the flavor be different, but you will also be combining two sets of coffees that have different expiration dates and levels of freshness. Stick with the same brand and the same bag of coffee beans each time.
To gauge which roasts are right for your taste preferences, pay close attention to the color of the beans. Typically, the darker a bean is roasted the stronger its brewed taste will be. French roasted beans are dark but Italian roasted beans by far produce the darkest and strongest coffee.
Be sure to clean your coffee machine. Many people just keep making coffee over and over again, but you have got to make sure you clean it regularly. Run a mixture of vinegar and water through your machine to naturally clean the machine instead of using chemicals. When you do this, you can be assured you have the most delicious coffee you can have.
Make your coffee even better with flavors and sweeteners. Brown sugar is something different to use instead of regular white sugar. Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as extracts such as vanilla, work to enhance coffee flavors. Flavored soy, rice and almond milks can also be used in lieu of milk, cream or non-dairy creamers.
The kind of coffee you enjoy drinking depends on the region in which is brewed. If you prefer coffee that has a mild flavor, go with coffees from Latin America countries, like Brazil. If you like those with an exotic taste, you should drink coffee from African or Asian countries.
It is best to use water than is filtered through charcoal when you brew coffee. You can install a charcoal filter on your faucet to filter tap water. Alternatively, you can use a coffee maker with a built-in filter. Another way to approach this is to look for bottled water that has already been filtered with charcoal.
Now that you’ve read this article, you should know a lot more about this extremely popular drink. Take the tips in this article and use them to help you get even more enjoyment out of the drink you love so much. In fact, share the information with others and they will appreciate it!
