Many people enjoy drinking coffee. Not only can it give you that extra boost of energy in the morning, but it can become a comforting part of your daily routine. While the topic of coffee may seem fairly straightforward, there is actually a lot that you can do to make the process more enjoyable, cost-effective and efficient. Read on to learn more.
If you purchase whole beans, be certain not to grind them too far in advance of brewing. When you grind beforehand, the coffee loses its flavor. Don’t make it a habit of grinding beans ahead of time, or you’ll be serving up some weak coffee.
The best way to get iced coffee in a hurry is to make it ahead of time via cold brewing. This involves brewing with just grounds, water, a fine filter, and if you like, some milk. You can easily do this before bed. By the next morning, you’ll have refreshing iced coffee that is ready to drink.
Does your coffee get stale because you cannot drink it fast enough? You should store it in an airtight container. Put your weekly dose of coffee into a smaller container and keep it in your freezer so it stays fresh. Store the rest of your coffee in a larger airtight container and open it only when you need to refill your smaller container.
If your coffee machine is a bit outdated, this trick will more than make up for it. Before you start to brew coffee, simply brew a whole pot of water. Once the hot water is ready, put the coffee grounds in and return the water to the coffee machine. The brew you create will be hot and tasty.
Good coffee requires great water. Bottled water lends itself to the perfect brew. It may cost a little more, but the flavor is well worth it. Alternatively, consider purchasing a water purifier to filter the water. It’s not going to be exactly the same as using bottled water, but it will be much better than tap water.
Think about using a frying pan to roast your own coffee. While some people may use an expensive machine, it is really not necessary. Using the frying pan is quite a simple process and generally won’t take you more than half an hour to do. Go online to find instructions regarding home roasting. There are a lot of tutorials out there that can help.
Fresh coffee beans taste better than anything you can buy in stores. Did you know you could roast your own beans and enjoy fresh coffee every day? You can easily roast your own beans by placing them in your oven or using a heat gun. Buy some cheap beans to practice.
If you are planning to store coffee beans, keep them in a place that is close to room temperature. This will help to extend the longevity of the beans, so that no flavor is lost providing great-tasting coffee for a very long time. Storing coffee beans in temperatures too hot or cold can cause them to go stale faster.
If you are living alone, or are the only one in your family who drinks coffee, consider purchasing a single-serve coffee maker. Companies such as Keurig have created coffee makers that use a coffee pod, a single serving of coffee grounds in a small container that fits inside the machine. This type of coffee maker is also useful if you like to drink a different flavor of coffee each day.
Understand the amount of time that your coffee will be good for, whether it be ground coffee or whole bean. Typically, ground coffee will be good for up to a week to maximize the quality of taste, whereas whole bean coffee can last up to three weeks of time. Learn these time constraints to limit stale coffee in your home.
Do not use hot water to make your coffee. Many people think this is the best way to make their coffee hot; the truth is that the only thing this does is diminish its flavor. You should be using water that is not only cold, but charcoal filtered if possible.
Does your tap water tastes bad? It could influence the way your coffee tastes. If your tap water has an unpleasant taste, consider using bottled water to make coffee or get a filter installed on your tap. You will find that your coffee tastes much better if you use cleaner water.
If you are used to an independent coffee house, then be careful when ordering in Starbucks. They have a very different language for their products, as part of their distinct branding. The Caramel Macchiato you love back home is not going to taste at all the same in a Starbucks while on the road.
Always consider how much coffee you plan on having as you measure out the water and coffee grounds. There is a difference between a cup of coffee and an actual measuring cup. A measuring cup is eight ounces and a typical coffee cup is about six ounces. The ideal mix is water, six ounces, and coffee, two tablespoons. Utilizing a standard measuring cup is sure to result in weak coffee.
For the best tasting coffee, use fresh beans that are between three days old and ten days old. Younger beans have not had sufficient time to mature and the taste can reflect this. Older beans are already going stale and losing the maximum flavor they had during their peak time.
After cleaning your coffee grinder, grind a bit of coffee and then dump it. Since it is difficult to completely clean a coffee grinder, you can do this to get rid of any remaining old, stale grinds. Doing this should not be a substitute for a proper cleaning, however.
The topic of coffee is more complex than it first appears. If you are a caffeine addict, you probably look forward to drinking at least a cup of coffee each day. By using the tips provided in this article, you will have a better overall coffee experience and be happier with what you drink.