There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which coffee to buy. For newcomers to the world of specialty coffee, it can be difficult to know what to expect. Keep reading to make finding that perfect cup of coffee that much easier.
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.
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.
Many people love coffee and enjoy it every morning; however, drinking a plain cup of coffee every day can become boring. To spice up your morning routine try making a beautiful, refreshing latte. Learn how to pour your milk slowly to create beautiful designs on top of your latte. The key to a beautiful latte is practice.
Buy smaller cans of coffee. If you buy coffee in a can, only buy what you will consume in a couple of weeks. It will cost more money than buying a large can and storing it for a while. What you save in money by buying a larger can, you end up sacrificing in taste.
Bulk coffee beans need to be protected from various elements. Upon exposure to heat or light, fresh beans lose their flavor, and they tend to absorb extraneous flavors. That’s why you must store beans in an opaque, airtight container.
Never store coffee near your oven. The heat from your oven can really kill the coffee’s quality. Any counter tops or cupboards near the oven should be avoided.
It’s important to be on the lookout for the caffeine levels in your coffee. Not all coffee has equal amounts of caffeine. For instance, Robusta beans contain two times the coffee that Arabica does. Depending on the type of beans used and the amounts that were used, drip coffee can actually contain more caffeine than espresso. Make sure you keep yourself informed.
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.
When buying coffee, never buy in bulk. Buy enough coffee for the week and store at room temperature. Heat and light destroy the flavor of your coffee. If you have to, you can store your beans in an airtight container in the freezer, and they will last up to a month.
There are many brands of coffee out there, and it can be hard to decide on a brand. Keep in mind that when it comes to coffee, the more expensive, it is the better it tastes. Avoid buying any coffee that is much to cheap since that means the quality will most likely not be that great.
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.
Drip coffee brewers are optimal if you use water that is cold, never warm or hot. Avoid the temptation to add hot water to your machine. Water is usually heated during the brewing process, which can lead to burning. The most probable result of using hot water in this type of machine is burned coffee grounds. This will result in a bad taste and it can also be dangerous.
Most coffee drinkers prefer a mild cup of coffee over any other strength. Roast your beans for around 7 minutes, or until they double in size and pop. This will make you a wonderfully mild and smooth cup of coffee. This is perfect for iced coffees and other coffee drinks.
For the freshest coffee, buy fresh beans. If you have the choice, buy from a professional roaster and ask the roaster the time since roasting on the beans you are considering. Look for beans that were roasted that day. Steer clear of store-bought brands, especially those that you pick from bins. Those have more than likely lost flavor due to being in direct light.
Never get caught up in a coffee shop debate about whether or not baristas are tipped enough or should get tipped at all. Both sides are passionate about their arguments, and when everyone has a cup of coffee in their hands, a tense conversation can get anxious pretty quickly and out of hand.
When it is hot outside, hot coffee can be unappealing. Consider blending coffee with some sweetener and flavored extracts along with some ice for a cold treat. Mix it all together, and you have a fabulous coffee shake to cool you down.
Cleaning a grill after you use it can be a big pain. Right after your grill cools down, you can use some coffee grounds to scrape away at any stuck on food. It is best to use old coffee grounds because they are less likely to be so abrasive they scratch up the grill grates.
Finished with the article? Now you have a more complete idea of what you want in your coffee. There are many styles out there so it’s important to choose wisely. Keep the tips you’ve learned here in mind the next time you go to brew a batch of coffee.
