There are several things to consider when shopping for coffee. This is true particularly if you are a novice with coffee, because you may not know what you should look for. Keep reading to get some great tips for selecting the right coffee for you.
Stevia is a relatively new sugar substitute that is great for diabetics and dieters. Stevia is natural and sweetens without glucose. It can also help you with weight issues. Most supermarkets and niche health stores offer Stevia.
French Press
For a rich tasting coffee, consider using a French press. Paper filters in your typical drip-style machine will soak up all the oils in your coffee that are packed with flavor. Conversely a French press actually squeezes out extra oil for more flavor. The oil remains in the brew. This lends a richer flavor.
Use an airtight container for coffee storage. If the beans are exposed to too much air, they will go stale and your coffee will taste terrible. Don’t use the square bags that feature one-way valves, as the seal is going to break. They really are just for letting out air after you’ve roasted the beans.
Organic Coffee
Avoid coffee grounds that have been exposed to pesticides. Coffee tends to absorb whatever is in the nearby soil, which greatly affects the flavor of the resulting drink. Organic coffee will usually have a much better flavor than non-organic coffee.
Reheated coffee never tastes the same as a fresh cup. Keep leftover coffee hot and fresh until you need it by placing it in a thermal mug. If you cannot keep the coffee fresh until you want it again, then you might as well start over with a new pot when you are ready for more.
Coffee Beans
Fresh roasted coffee beans make the best coffee. If you enjoy buying whole beans, always find out when the beans were roasted. It’s best to buy coffee beans from specialty stores or coffee shops instead of your grocery market.
It is not necessary to keep coffee in your freezer. Coffee is able to take on the flavor and smells of things around it. An optimal spot for storing coffee is a non-translucent container that is air tight. Use a sealed and air-tight freezer bag if you still plan on refrigerating or freezing it.
Froth your own milk for coffee without an expensive machine. Heat some milk in the microwave until it begins steaming. Take a whisk and rapidly spin its handle in between your hands. Keep going until the milk has frothed. To achieve maximum froth, use either half and half or whole milk.
Developing Countries
Fair trade coffee is a great way to support developing countries. You may pay a little more, but the flavor is worth it. You will also help out farms in developing countries.
Although you may be tempted to grab a cup of coffee before the coffee finishes brewing, wait! Though some machines have a feature allowing you to do this, the quality of your coffee will suffer. Get a coffee maker with a timer as an alternative. ` You can then wake up to fresh-brewed coffee.
You do not have to quit caffeine in one bold move. You can slowly ween off of coffee by adding in decaffeinated beans with regular beans. If you buy coffee that has already been ground, just buy a package of each type of coffee, and split them 50/50 when you make your brew.
If you avoid unnecessary additives, coffee itself can serve as a great support in burning calories. If you drink your coffee with sugar in it, you are probably cancelling its fat-burning properties. Take your coffee black and drink a cup prior to eating your morning meal. It will assist you in your weight loss endeavors.
Warm Milk
Are you trying to cut down on your sugar intake but still like some sweetness in your coffee. One alternative is to add warm milk to your drink. Warm milk is very tasty and takes the place of sweet cream. Adding warm milk to coffee is a better choice, health-wise, than adding sugar or cream.
Drip brew coffee with cold water only. Avoid using hot water in this type of machine. The water heats up as it brews. Using hot water to brew coffee will likely burn your coffee grounds. Your coffee will taste bad, and there are safety concerns to think about too.
Now that you’ve read this article, you should have a better idea as to what to look for when shopping for coffee. There are lots of options and you, no doubt, want to make an educated choice. Keep these tips in mind as you choose your next purchase of gourmet coffee.
