Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, whether in the morning or at night. But, did you know that there are certain things you should and should not to do to make the perfect cup of joe? In this article, you will learn what it takes to be make the best coffee around.
If you must add something creamy to your coffee, consider using real milk instead of whitener. Whitener is a frightening blend of ingredients you can’t pronounce, while milk of any sort – be it cream, homo, 2% or skim – provides protein, vitamin B12 and other great nutrients your body needs.
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 loved your coffee on ice, try cold-brewing your own coffee concentrated. There are many recipes available online; Most entail mixing a few cups of water into several ounces of ground coffee, allowing the mixture to sit overnight. When the grounds are strained out, you are left with a smooth, rich concentrate that can be diluted with milk or water and ice.
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.
If you want your coffee to taste great, be sure the beans were roasted recently. If you enjoy buying whole beans, always find out when the beans were roasted. You would probably be better off to purchase coffee beans from your local coffee shop or a specialty store rather than your local grocery store.
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.
When you shop for a personal coffee grinder, try getting one with a conical or flat grinding burrs. Grinders in these two shapes generate less heat than grinders of other shapes. This keeps your coffee tasting good. Any grinder that uses blades to grind will lack in consistency. This causes excess heat, and it can burn your coffee beans.
If you are planning on bringing coffee into work or to a friends house, always bring alternative flavors to inject a sense of variety in your presentation. This will give others the ability to make a choice as to which drink they prefer, which will make the most amount of people happy.
Do not buy purchase coffee that has packaged beans and is pre-flavored. These coffees are made using oil that is hard to clean out of a coffee pot. They will also affect future pots of coffee that you make, giving each subsequent cup a funny taste. Furthermore, the flavors these coffees are made with tend not to taste good anyway.
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 you like to drink coffee in various flavors, buy creamers or syrups to add after the coffee is brewed. You won’t mess up your machine by contaminating it with strange flavors this way. You can also serve guests the flavored coffee that they desire. Before you add milk, add these flavors to ensure that they completely dissolve.
If a single brew doesn’t have your preferred flavor profile, try a blended brew made from a mix of various, but complimentary flavors. Specialty coffee shops can help you to choose the best blends for your preferences and may also be able to offer you a sample before you buy in bulk.
Understand that the fineness of your grind affects the quality of your coffee taste. A very fine grind will leave your coffee tasting really strong, whereas a course grind will give a very dull and weak taste. Some people prefer different types of tastes, so understand this before making coffee for them.
When brewing coffee that will end up iced, make it extra-strong. Use up to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every four ounces of water. This ensures that your coffee will not taste diluted or watered-down once you pour it over the ice. Never pour hot coffee into a cold glass, however; allow it to cool first.
Only use cold water for drip coffee brewers. Hot water is something you should definitely avoid. The water is heated as it brews. Burnt coffee grounds can be caused by putting hot water into your coffee maker. This will cause your coffee to be bitter and could also be a safety hazard.
Don’t overdo it on coffee consumption. Drinking too much coffee can cause dehydration. For every cup of coffee that you consume, make sure you are drinking two additional cups of water. Drinking more than a cup of coffee can cause dehydration, so be aware.
In conclusion, there isn’t a better feeling in the world than drinking that perfect cup of coffee, just as long as you are making it properly. The above article gave you tips to help ensure you will always be making the best coffee you can. Use them for coffee bliss!
