Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, and millions of people enjoy a cup of coffee every day. Brewing your own coffee right at home can be very satisfying while saving you money. If you want to brew a great cup of coffee in your own kitchen, keep reading for some great tips.
After you open store bought coffee beans, do not continue to keep them in their retail package. It should keep out light and air. Doing this will greatly increase the chance that your beans will remain fresh for an extended amount of time.
Carefully monitor the amount of water you put in your coffee machine. Without enough water, the flavor will be overpowering. Conversely, too much water and you’ll have weak tasting coffee. Use a formula of two to one, with two cups water per one cup of coffee produced.
Where the beans originated is a big factor on the taste of coffee. Experiment with many blends and brands to become a true aficionado. Price should not factor into your coffee-purchasing decisions.
Take advantage of any repeat customer program that your local coffee house runs. Even a single-unit independent place might have a punchcard system where you get a free cup of coffee for every five that you buy. Never throw these away, even for places you do not frequent much. They can still add up to free cups of joe over time.
After purchasing coffee it is important to properly store it for it to retain its freshness. If you will be using your coffee within a week, store it in an airtight plastic or glass container out of direct sunlight and away from heat. If it will be longer than a week before you will use it up, consider placing the coffee in the freezer.
When you are storing coffee, try not to store it in containers that are made out of glass. While there may seem to be airtight, the reality is that they are not, and a lot of air will be able to reach the coffee. This will negatively affect the taste.
When brewing your coffee, use bottled or filtered water. Doing so, you will obtain maximum flavor for your brew. However, you do not want to use water that is too soft. The flavor will not be extracted as well. Look for a nice balance. Compare the flavor of your coffee with different brands or types of water.
Chocolate and coffee is a great combination! try serving a square along with a cup. A bite of chocolate followed by a melt-in-your mouth sip of java is an incredible treat! The chocolate can also be enjoyed by dipping it, or even dropping a piece directly into the coffee.
Now matter how badly you need a caffeine fix, don’t pour your coffee until it is fully brewed. There are a few machines that let you pour a cup prior to the brew finishing, but this degrades the quality of the entire pot. You should use one equipped with a timer instead. This would allow your coffee to be ready when you arise.
Always drink coffee out of a mug that is designed for hot items. Never pour coffee into glass, as this can possibly break your glass and leave you with stains that you do not want. A mug is probably the best option that you can choose when deciding where you want to drink your coffee out of.
Use a French press for your coffee rather than a standard drip. The reason for this is because a greater amount of the coffee oils will get in your cup rather than in the machine filter. As a result, your cup of coffee will taste a lot better. Give it a try!
Make sure you put cold water inside your coffee machine. Hot water is off limits for this type of brewer. As the coffee is brewing, the water will warm up. Water that is hot can actually burn the coffee beans. This will make your coffee taste bad and may also be a burn hazard.
Finding high-quality beans that are fresh roasted can be difficult. Therefore, try roasting beans yourself. You can do this in several ways. First, you could use a metal bowl and a heat gun. Second, you could use a popcorn popper. Finally, you could lay your green beans on a metal tray and place it in the oven, and take it out whenever you hear the beans start cracking. Roasting your own beans can save you a big hassle.
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.
Whenever you are brewing coffee at home, it is extremely important to brew it with good tasting filtered water. If your tap water tastes bad, then your coffee will also end up tasting poorly. Make sure to invest in a good filtration system so that you can get the best tasting coffee possible.
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.
Avoid packaged and pre-flavored beans if you enjoy flavored coffee. Oils are sprayed on these beans which make it almost impossible for you to completely and properly clean your grinder and coffee machine. Additionally, the sprays might smell good, but they don’t really flavor the coffee all that well.
The more you know about coffee, the better able you will be to brew a delicious cup right in your own kitchen. It is not that hard to turn out pot after pot of amazing coffee once you know the secrets. Just remember the tips from this article and soon you will enjoy quality coffee every time!
