Coffee is undoubtedly one of the world’s best-loved beverages and something that can be the subject of serious debate and disagreement. In order to determine what constitutes your perfect cup of coffee, a bit of knowledge and education is key. Apply the tips and information contained below, and you will have what it takes to become a coffee aficionado.
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.
After buying coffee beans, don’t leave them in the same bag you bought them in. Instead, store them in an airtight container. This helps them stay fresh much longer.
Remember that coffee is a very absorbent food. So, proper storage is essential. Keep your unused coffee in a place that is dry and cool where it is protected from both sunlight and heat. However, do not store it in your fridge or freezer. Also make sure the container is opaque and air-tight, to prevent coffee from absorbing flavor and aromas from other foods.
While your coffee is brewing, try soaking the coffee mugs in hot water. A cold mug will cool off your drink before you can even get it to your lips! When the coffee is ready, simply dry off the mugs and serve. This trick will keep it hot much longer.
The purity of your coffee depends on the purity of the water used to make it. Keep in mind that every substance that goes into the brew will come out in the final taste. That is why bottled water, distilled water or at the very least filtered water from your tap results in the best tasting cup of coffee.
If you grind your own coffee, be sure to only grind the amount you will be using that day. If you grind too much and just leave your coffee around, the elements will take the freshness and taste of it. Contrary to what many believe, storing coffee in the refrigerator does not leave it fresh.
A great tip when brewing coffee is to always use the right water. You can’t just use any water when brewing coffee. If you’re using dirty tap water, you can probably expect an unpleasant tasting cup of coffee. Good water to use should have some minerals in it that will help to extract the best flavor.
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.
If you really want to try your hand at making a great cup of fresh roasted coffee, try roasting the beans yourself. There are a variety of ways to roast your own beans if you have access to green coffee. You can even put them on a cookie sheet in your oven to roast them yourself.
A good tip to keep in mind when brewing coffee is to rinse off your paper filters before actually brewing your coffee. Rinsing off the paper filter will get rid of any loose paper particles, which will prevent your coffee from tasting funky. All it takes is a few extra seconds.
Avoid using pre-flavored and packaged coffee beans. These beans are sprayed with extra oils that are very difficult to clean out of grinders and coffee machines. That oil stays in the machines and mixes with later batches causing strange-tasting coffee. They also tend to make the coffee smell better than it tastes.
Fair trade coffee is not only delicious, but buying it supports developing countries. Fair trade coffee tends to be on the expensive side, but it has a reputation for tasting good. In addition, you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are helping a small farm in a developing country compete with the big corporations.
Now matter how badly you need a caffeine fix, don’t pour your coffee until it is fully brewed. Some machines allow this option, but your coffee quality is going to suffer. Buy a programmable coffee maker. These coffee makers will start brewing your coffee before you wake up.
If you have trouble staying awake and have been buying those expensive energy drinks, you should start drinking coffee instead. Each energy drink contains about 100-150 milligrams of caffeine. You can get the same effect from drinking a cup of coffee or two, and you will not have to spend as much money.
Only store your coffee beans at room level temperatures. Coffee beans that get stored inside a cold appliance are going to attract and absorb both condensation and the aromas of nearby foods. The resulting flavor of the coffee is going to wind up reflecting this, and turn into substandard coffee.
If you prefer a strong cup of coffee than you should roast your beans from 12 to 14 minutes. The bean sugar caramelizes, giving the beans a slightly oily appearance when taken out of the roaster. This will give your coffee almost a smokey taste, perfect for espressos or those who just love a strong cup of joe.
Buy new coffee beans every two weeks. Once you open coffee beans, they usually don’t have a set expiration date. You can seal them in airtight containers to keep them fresh longer. You will, however, likely find that the quality of the taste starts to fade a bit after two weeks.
People all over the globe have loved coffee in all of its variations for centuries. However, not everyone possesses a great deal of knowledge about different varieties, brewing techniques and other relevant subjects. By applying the guidance found above, it is possible to develop into a true coffee expert.
