Coffee is the beverage of choice for multitudes of people when they get up in the morning. While some choose a different drink to get them moving and wipe the cobwebs from their brain, coffee seems to be the favorite. There are few aromas more tantalizing than fresh coffee brewing as you awake.
If you love coffee but are considered about your weight, then add some Stevia in your coffee rather than sugar or creams. Stevia is a herbal plant, and when dried, crumbled and added to coffee, it will add a sweet taste without affecting blood sugar levels or adding extra, unwanted pounds. Stevia can be purchased in most health food stores and grocery stores.
Keep your coffee stored in containers that do not allow air to enter. Prolonged exposure to air will weaken your beans, giving them a stale and weak flavor. Don’t use plastic or other types of bags that are not air-tight, even if the coffee was originally stored in it. These bags should only be used if you plan to brew and drink all the coffee immediately.
Coffee tastes much better if it is fresh brewed, and is actually lower in caffeine if consumed soon after it is made. Some people are particular about using only spring water or bottled water to make it, while others seem to think tap water works just fine for making good coffee.
If you want superb quality, you have to carefully select the water you use. Think about using bottled water. You might not want to spend the money on water, but this will affect your coffee’s taste. Alternatively, consider purchasing a water purifier to filter the water. Though the effect is not identical, the coffee you make will still be better than it might otherwise be.
Think about using a frying pan to roast your own coffee. While some people may use an expensive machine, it is really not necessary. Using the frying pan is quite a simple process and generally won’t take you more than half an hour to do. Go online to find instructions regarding home roasting. There are a lot of tutorials out there that can help.
Avoid storing your coffee in the freezer. The extreme temperatures of the freezer will destroy the oils in the coffee. Instead, drink what you have or buy smaller amounts of coffee. If you do not buy too much coffee, you will not need to worry about storing it for an extended period of time.
You do not need to tip the barista at a coffee shop the same percentage as you do a waitress or a hairdresser. Your hairdresser has to understand precisely what you want and then do it, and a waitress has multiple tables to keep up with exactly everyone’s order. Your barista mixes up one cup at a time, so do not feel guilty for tipping him or her less. Still, do throw a few coins in the tip jar frequently.
Don’t reheat coffee when you’re done with it or when you wish to drink it later. You can buy a thermal mug instead, and that will keep the coffee hot for a longer time period. 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.
Many people feel like there is something wrong with giving children coffee every now and then, but it is okay as long as the coffee has no caffeine in it. The caffeine content is the main reason that coffee is not considered to be a suitable beverage for children to drink.
Make sure that you shop around to find the best quality coffee. Supermarket coffee is not always of the highest quality and may sit on the shelf a while before selling. Specialty shops will always provide the freshest beans and grounds.
For a bit of a change, flavor your coffee with sweeteners and various flavors. Brown and raw sugars add distinctive flavors compared to plain white sugar. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, vanilla and other flavor extracts mingle well with the taste of coffee, too. If you enjoy your coffee with milk or creamer, try using non-dairy alternatives like rice or soy milk.
Purchase a coffee maker that brews into a thermal carafe or pot. If you are the type of person who likes to nurse your coffee, this allows you to enjoy hot coffee for as long as you want to spend drinking it. This also keeps the coffee tasting good and not losing its flavor.
A good tip for cleaning your coffee maker is to run vinegar through it. This helps as the vinegar kills residue and any foul smells that may be found in your coffee maker. To do this, simply pour the vinegar in as you would the water and let it brew.
Try pre-wetting coffee filters. This helps heat glass and ceramic brewers, along with rinsing away extra flavors that dry paper filters may transfer into your cup. Start by opening up the filter, then placing it in your cone brewer with a pitcher or coffee mug underneath. Finish by pouring some near-boiling water through it in order to wet all of the sides.
If you are in the habit of drinking a couple cups of coffee every day, you should think twice about having it if you get pregnant. The effects of caffeine on your unborn baby may be harmful, especially if you drink it in the first trimester. It is best to cut out other caffeinated drinks also.
If you enjoy going to coffee shops, you should ask about membership cards and rewards. Most coffee shops have a reward system for their customers. You could save a lot of money by joining a rewards program for your favorite coffee shop, especially if you always go to the same franchise.
If you need a way to get moving and out the door to your job, coffee is an effective energy drink. Most people have more than one cup, but others are happy with just one. Whether you add sugar and creamer, or drink it black, coffee tastes great if it is fresh brewed.
