What ingredients go into making a good cup of joe? There are different flavors that please different people, so think about all of them. Learn more about how to make your best cup of joe.
If you purchase coffee beans, do not store them in their original packaging if it has been opened. It is important that you place them inside of a container that will keep air and light away from them. This allows it to stay fresh longer.
To make the best coffee, you need the best water. Try using bottled water to brew your coffee, it makes the difference. If you do not want to spend that money, use purified water obtaining by fitting a filter to your tap. You will not get the same taste as bottled but it will be better than tap water.
A good coffee grinder is a must for producing great coffee at home. Grinding your beans just before brewing leaves aromatic, flavorful oils intact and makes coffee taste fresher. Most coffee grinders have a “coarseness” setting that lets you brew your coffee in different ways. Additionally, you may purchase an appliance with a built in grinder for practicality.
French Press
If you like a strong cup of coffee, rich with flavor, consider buying a French press. More oil is squeezed out of the coffee beans when a French press is used, and that results in better tasting coffee. Traditional coffee machines contain paper filters that remove the oils during brewing.
Make sure that you put just the right amount of water into your coffee maker. The coffee might be too strong if not enough water is used. The reverse is also true; if you use more water than you should, then the coffee will be weak. A good guideline is to use 16 ounces of water for every 8-ounce cup of coffee.
Do not reheat your coffee after you have brewed it. You can buy a thermal mug instead, and that will keep the coffee hot for a longer time period. If you do not have a mug like this, just brew a new pot to enjoy the best flavor.
It is not necessary for coffee to be stored in the freezer. In fact, coffee can pick up flavors and smells from neighboring foods. The best storage place for your coffee is a clear, air-tight container. Use a sealed and air-tight freezer bag if you still plan on refrigerating or freezing it.
Store Coffee Beans
Store coffee beans with care. Fresh beans tend to pick up other flavors and their own flavor is lost if exposed to heat or light. That is why it is a good idea to store coffee beans in an opaque, air-tight container.
Fair trade coffee offers you the opportunity to sample something new while supporting developing nations. While it may cost a little more, you’ll know that the people picking the beans are making fair wages rather than “slave wages,” and you’ll also find the taste to be of better quality. You are going to be providing assistance to small farming co-ops in third world countries.
Chocolate is a great alternative to combine with your coffee. You can get a coffee energy jolt, and it will taste wonderful, providing you pick a good coffee. Dark chocolate works great with an early-morning coffee.
If you need to reduce the amount of caffeine you consume, you do not have to quit cold turkey. You can ween yourself off of it by mixing regular beans with decaf beans. If you normally use ground coffee, simply use half of each when you make coffee.
Do you add artificial sweetener to your coffee? Often artificial sweeteners will make the coffee have a bland taste. Instead, try a small amount of raw sugar or even drinking your next cup of coffee black. If you must use sweetener, only use about half of the packet.
Only use cold water for drip coffee brewers. You will always come out better if you use only cold water to begin with. The brewer will heat the water for you during the brewing process. Hot water can damage the coffee grounds when you’re brewing. This results in a bad tasting coffee, and it can also cause a safety issue.
If you prefer iced coffee, consider keeping your French press cold in your refrigerator. The greatly reduces the temperature of the machine before you use it. Use this in combination with cold water and you should have coffee that tastes fresh and sweet.
With increased knowledge, you now can start experimenting and find what works for you. Perhaps you want to experiment with different brews. Maybe you already drink coffee, but just want to try different things. Remember to use the tips you have read about in this article when you make coffee next.