That morning cup of joe is something million of Americans can’t live without. You might start asking yourself “what more is there to know about coffee”, but do you know what? With all the blends out there and all the different styles, there are some things about coffee you might not know. Here are some tips to make coffee even more palatable to you!
If you are concerned about your coffee staying fresh for a good amount of time, try not to buy so much of it at one time. Many people buy coffee in bulk, but the reality is that the coffee will start to diminish in quality by the time all of it is consumed.
If you tend to drink a lot of coffee, you should invest in a quality coffee machine and make your own coffee at home. Go to a coffee shop only occasionally, for instance on weekends or when you go out with some friends. This should help you save a lot.
To get the best possible coffee, look for the ones that are made of 100% Arabica beans. These beans are of top quality and will give you the best taste after you are finished brewing. Furthermore, these beans preserve their freshness longer so that you can have great coffee for a very long time.
As pricey as it can be, treat yourself to some coffee from a store once in awhile. You can choose from a variety of flavors and toppings, such as whipped cream or chocolate.
Good water is just as important as quality coffee when it comes to brewing a great cup. If the water you are using is not very tasty, you cannot expect to end up with a quality cup of Joes. The best coffee is made with spring water or tap water that has been run through a filter.
For the best tasting cup of coffee, use beans that have been roasted quite recently. When purchasing whole beans, ensure you’re checking the expiration date. Also, determine when the beans were roasted. For the freshest coffee, purchase from a coffee shop or specialty store rather than a grocery store.
While looking at the different types of grinders available, remember that conical or flat grindings burrs are the best. Grinders like these cuts down on the heat that is produced. Your coffee will taste better as a result. Grinders with blades are not consistent at all. They can create way too high a heat and burn your beans.
Many discriminating coffee drinkers insist their coffee be fresh ground, and they buy whole beans to be ground just before they brew their coffee. The coffee grinders can be adjusted to make a fine ground coffee, or a coarser grind. Generally, the finer the grind, the stronger the coffee.
Many people use bacon soda to keep smells from permeating refrigerators, but used coffee grounds have the same effect. Coffee acts like a natural sponge, and it will absorb any odors it comes in contact with. This is why you should place a small dish of them in your refrigerator to keep odors at bay.
If your coffee doesn’t taste right, it may be the water you’re using. Tap water isn’t known for being especially delicious, which can adversely affect your coffee. You might consider installing a filter on your tap. You can also use bottled water when you make your coffee, or filter your water with a pitcher.
Make sure that you refrain from combining coffee beans from different brands. Not only will the flavor be different, but you will also be combining two sets of coffees that have different expiration dates and levels of freshness. Stick with the same brand and the same bag of coffee beans each time.
If you like the flavor of vanilla sugar in your coffee, but don’t like the price, here’s a great tip. Purchase your own vanilla beans, and bury them in a jar of sugar for at least one week. Then, use the vanilla sugar instead of regular sugar in your coffee for added flavor.
For those of you who prefer a more medium cup of coffee, you should roast your beans for between 9 and 11 minutes but no longer than that. When they come out of the roaster they will look dry, but it produces a much sweeter taste than a mild brew.
Be certain your water is about 195 to 205 degrees when you are making your coffee. A lot of the coffee brewers that you can buy in retail establishments do not get as hot. Try heating up the water yourself. French presses are great, so you should think about buying one.
If you grind your own coffee, bean storage is critical. You can use an airtight container for shorter term storage. For longer storage, like if you have bought in bulk, put in an airtight container and freeze. Keeping air away from your beans will keep them fresh and help preserve the flavor.
To get a consistent cup of iced coffee, put any flavoring in the cup first, top with your fresh coffee and then finish with the milk and stir. This keeps the flavoring from floating on the top and allows you to gently and consistently merge all of the different elements.
Coffee beans that have been flavored are not your best option. These beans are sprayed with flavored oils that are very difficult to clean from coffee grinders and coffee makers. These flavors can multiply over time, which will taint all coffee made with that equipment. Use fresh flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Syrups can be used for flavoring as well.
Learn about what sort of coffee grind to use. The type of grind you should use depends on how you are making your coffee. Course grinds are better when using a French press. Medium grinds are best for auto-drip coffee makers. Fine grinds are best suited for coffee makers that use cone filters.
Now that you’ve read this article, you should know a lot more about this extremely popular drink. Take the tips in this article and use them to help you get even more enjoyment out of the drink you love so much. In fact, share the information with others and they will appreciate it!
