There are a number of things to take into consideration when shopping for coffee. If you are a beginner, you may not even know all of the variables involved. Read this article to get some help in finding the coffee that is right for you.
Do not leave your coffee open any longer than necessary. While preparing your coffee, don’t open the can or bag until you are ready to scoop. Immediately after scooping, close the coffee container. This will keep your coffee fresher longer. It also keeps the flavor and aroma from evaporating in the air.
Buy whole coffee beans and grind the coffee yourself. Coffee that is freshly ground is much more flavorful and aromatic than pre-ground coffee. Each day, only grind the amount of coffee that you need for that day. If you have any extra, place the leftover grinds in an airtight container in the fridge.
Do not freeze all of your coffee in one large container. This is a good way for your coffee to become spoiled easily. Every time you thaw out coffee, it will have some moisture in it. Refreezing it constantly will kill the quality. Use small storage bags to freeze it in batches.
If you like to grind your own coffee, try adding a few nuts to the grinder along with the beans. Many people enjoy the interesting flavor nuts provide to a cup of coffee. Some great nuts to try include: almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts. You can even experiment with nutty combinations!
If you have a hard time finding fresh, roasted beans in your area, then consider roasting fresh beans yourself. The easiest and most fool-proof method is to place green coffee beans on a baking tray and roast them in the oven. Preheat the oven at the highest temperature and roast the beans until you hear them start to crack.
For people who really enjoy a great cup of coffee, never take your beans or grind out of the freezer and into the hot water. Keep your beans at room temperature prior to brewing. If you have a lot, freeze some and keep enough at room temperature for the week.
Iced coffee doesn’t taste so great when the ice cubes begin to melt, watering down the flavor. An excellent tip is to make ice cubes out of coffee or milk, and keeping them in the freezer in zippered bags. They will be handy anytime you want a cold drink on a hot day!
When you get some coffee beans, put most of them away in an airtight container. Place the container in your freezer if you do not have a cool place to keep it. You should grind small quantities of beans, for instance enough to last you for a week. Experience with different grinding techniques if you want different flavors.
You shouldn’t store coffee near an oven. Coffee that is exposed to heat loses its flavor quickly. Thus, it is necessary to steer clear of counters or cabinets situated in close proximity to the oven.
Try adding coffee to your meat recipes. While coffee is usually used for its “coffee flavor” in dessert dishes, it can make meat dishes taste better. The flavor of the coffee will not overpower meat like it does with sweet items, but it will boost the natural flavors of the meat.
A clean coffee maker is a great coffee maker. If your coffee maker is not cleaned on a weekly basis, your coffee will suffer. Use a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water to run through the coffee makers system to flush out any dirt and contaminants that could influence the taste of your coffee.
Drink coffee in moderation. Too much coffee, like anything else, can be bad for you. It can give you the shakes and raise your blood pressure. You don’t want that. One or two cups a day is safe for most people. If you’re not sure how much is safe for you to drink, see your physician.
If you want to take your cup of coffee with you, use an insulated mug to keep it hot. There are many types available, but usually the aluminum insulated ones work best. If you want to take your coffee along as you drive, make sure to get a mug that fits into the cup holder in your car.
Look up coffee recipes online and you will find that you can make most fancy beverages you can find in coffee shops. And the best part is, all the ingredients you need are easy to find and cheaper than anything you will find in coffee shops. You should always keep some milk, different kinds of nuts, caramel and chocolate syrup so you can make your favorite beverages.
Stay away from those open coffee bins at the supermarket. You have no idea how long the coffee has been there, or how fresh it is. It is highly possible that you might end up with stale coffee that makes a mediocre cup of coffee. Try instead to get your coffee straight from the roaster, who knows how fresh the coffee is.
Many people do not like the high acidity in their iced coffee. The way to reduce the acidity and have a milder brew is to brew the coffee cold. It is a simple process that takes about 12 hours in the fridge. You can start your brew in the evening and have cold coffee for your drive to work.
Never use anything other than fresh coffee at home. Remember the date you open your package. Ground coffee will stay fresh for you for about a week after opening. Whole bean coffee packages, on the other hand, will stay fresh for you up to three weeks after you open it.
After reading this information, you should understand how to buy coffee a little better. You have a wide variety of options — so choose the one that best meets your needs. Keep these tips in mind as you choose your next purchase of gourmet coffee.
