Are you wondering what the different types of coffee blends and roasts mean? Do you have no idea on the advantages of using dairy creamers and using non-dairy creamers? If so, you probably don’t know that much about coffee. You must not allow this to scare you, because the piece that follows contains all the knowledge you could want concerning coffee.
To make a good coffee, always start with fresh beans. They should look kind of oily, and they should be potent. Try to avoid very dry beans, any grocery store beans, and any beans that have been exposed to air for a long time. Your best bet is to either roast beans yourself or buy them from a local roaster.
Your coffee should be kept in a container that is airtight. Coffee that is exposed to a lot of air tends to lose its taste by going stale. Don’t bother with square plastic bags because they don’t have an airtight seal. These bags should only be used if you plan to brew and drink all the coffee immediately.
Have you ever tried drinking ice cold coffee or cappuccino? This is a good way to get the caffeine you need while drinking a refreshing beverage. You can either use instant coffee, mix it in cold water and add some ice or put some coffee grounds in a fine filter and place it in a glass of cold water.
Old coffee should never be reheated. This has nothing to do with the popular myth about reheated coffee releasing dangerous chemicals. Certain chemical compounds that are inside your coffee start breaking down within 30 minutes of brewing. Microwaved coffee or coffee left on a hot plate start this process even faster. This can make coffee taste bitter or different.
For best coffee flavor, buy whole beans. Then, grind only the amount that you plan on using. You will find that your coffee has a stronger flavor. You will also use less product to make that fabulous taste. Additionally, you can create custom blends using different beans, so that you can impress your friends.
Making a great cup of coffee really depends on your coffee maker. It does not have to be the most expensive model to produce a great cup of coffee, but it does have to brew the coffee properly. Look for a coffee maker who will extract all the best elements out of every single bean.
When you brew your coffee at home, do not throw out the used grounds. These coffee grounds might not be good for another cup of coffee, but they are excellent for many other purposes. They are great for composting, exfoliating, cleaning, and quite a few other uses. Don’t throw them away!
One way to ensure that your iced coffee does not become watery when you place the hot coffee over ice is to use ice cubes made from coffee. To make coffee ice cubes, simply pour freshly brewed room temperature coffee into your ice cube trays and freeze. When you are ready to enjoy an iced coffee, place the frozen coffee ice cubes in a glass and fill with your freshly brewed coffee.
Take advantage of any repeat customer program that your local coffee house runs. Even a single-unit independent place might have a punchcard system where you get a free cup of coffee for every five that you buy. Never throw these away, even for places you do not frequent much. They can still add up to free cups of joe over time.
After purchasing coffee it is important to properly store it for it to retain its freshness. If you will be using your coffee within a week, store it in an airtight plastic or glass container out of direct sunlight and away from heat. If it will be longer than a week before you will use it up, consider placing the coffee in the freezer.
When you are storing coffee, try not to store it in containers that are made out of glass. While there may seem to be airtight, the reality is that they are not, and a lot of air will be able to reach the coffee. This will negatively affect the taste.
Avoid reheating your coffee at all costs. When you reheat your coffee, it tends to lose a lot of its natural flavors. If you do not plan on drinking your coffee right away, but you want to make sure it stays hot, your best bet is to pour it into an insulated mug.
Packaging is important when it comes to coffee. It you buy coffee beans, pay attention to the packaging they come in. Make sure you buy beans with quality packaging. Also pay attention to how long it took to package these beans and how long they’ve been sitting on a shelf. Little facts like these can make a big difference in taste.
Be careful to drink coffee in moderation. Too much coffee can actually dehydrate you. Two servings of water are needed to balance the effects of one cup of coffee. Stick to one cup to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Freeze left over coffee in an ice tray. You can use these cubes of coffee in your next iced coffee and, unlike ice made from water, they won’t weaken your beverage. They can be added to cocktails as well, or even to hot coffee to cool it.
Ask your favorite coffee shop how they make the coffee. This will of course give you some great ideas about brewing your own coffee, but make sure that you ask good questions. Ask about technique, but also ask where the coffee comes from and how it is grown and harvested. You want to make sure you’re having the best coffee, after all!
Avoid letting your lack of coffee expertise stop you. Coffee might seem like a complicated subject, but once you learn a little, it is pretty simple. Utilize these tips and you will soon amaze those around you.