For hundreds of years, coffee has been a highly prized and beloved beverage the world over. The best way to get the most enjoyment from coffee is to learn as much as possible on the subject. The article that follows contains terrific information that can help you do just that.
Make sure your coffee is stored in airtight containers. If your beans get exposed to a lot of air, they’ll go stale and result in poor-tasting coffee. One-way valve bags are only effective until they are opened. After that the contents should be transferred to an airtight container. These types of bags are best used when coffee beans need to cool down after they are roasted.
Put your coffee in the fridge. After you have exposed roasted coffee beans or grinds to fresh air, the flavor can deteriorate quickly. Actually, a large amount of flavor is lost within seven to ten days. Keeping your coffee in the fridge after you have opened the can keeps it fresh longer.
Do you need to cut down on sugar? There are alternatives for sweetening your coffee. Agave nectar still contains sugar, but will not negatively effect diabetic blood sugar control. Stevia and other sweeteners can sweeten coffee as well and are completely safe.
Make certain that you understand how much water you need to make the right cup of coffee. When you do not use enough water, your coffee will taste too strong. If you use too much water you might have coffee that is weak. A good guideline is to use 16 ounces of water for every 8-ounce cup of coffee.
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.
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.
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.
Do you not have much success repeating coffee shop tastes at home? It may simply be a matter of increasing the amount of coffee grounds you use. A majority of coffee shops will use about two tbsp of coffee grounds for every six oz. of water. Experiment with water to coffee ratios to find the perfect balance.
Before you decide on a drive-thru establishment that you want to purchase from each morning, try them all to get an idea of the one you like the most. The last thing that you will want to do is settle for a mediocre coffee, if there is a place that you would enjoy better.
If you are planning to grind your own coffee beans, you should know that the type of grinder you choose can make a big difference in taste. Experts recommend using one that features flat grinding burrs. Blade grinders can actually generate enough heat to burn or scald the coffee beans and ruin the flavor.
If you like the flavor of vanilla sugar in your coffee, but don’t like the price, here’s a great tip. Purchase your own vanilla beans, and bury them in a jar of sugar for at least one week. Then, use the vanilla sugar instead of regular sugar in your coffee for added flavor.
If you do not grind your own coffee, you should consider doing so. The best and most flavorful cup of coffee will come from freshly ground beans. Coffee grinders are not very expensive and this extra step only takes a minute. You will notice the difference in taste from your very first cup.
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.
Think about just using coffee to make ice cubes. If you enjoy cold coffee, but do not like how it gets saturated with water from melting ice, then this is an interesting alternative. It lest you avoid diluted beverages, and it stays naturally chilled for a decent period of time.
When brewing coffee, use fresh, clean water. Since your coffee essentially consists of mostly water, the quality of the water you use will affect the quality of the coffee you drink. Avoid using a water-softening filter for the water you use in your coffee. Super soft water fails to properly extract the coffee oils.
If you do not mind spending a few bucks more, you can join a coffee club which will deliver coffee to you at set intervals. There are multiple choices of the types of coffee you can order, either whole bean or your choice of ground coffee. Some of these companies also provide you with a free coffee maker.
If you frequent a particular coffeehouse often, see if they will give you a discount for bringing in your own cup or mug. These cups can sometimes cost the shop a few pennies at a time, so they can save money too over time. They also get the chance to make a pro-environmental statement with you.
There is no doubt that coffee is a nearly universal pleasure for countless individuals. The key to extracting the best flavor and having the best coffee experience is gaining sufficient knowledge about the topic. Keep the above facts close at hand, and you truly can optimize your ability to revel in coffee’s delights.