Coffee is undoubtedly one of the world’s best-loved beverages and something that can be the subject of serious debate and disagreement. In order to determine what constitutes your perfect cup of coffee, a bit of knowledge and education is key. Apply the tips and information contained below, and you will have what it takes to become a coffee aficionado.
If you drink coffee right, it can actually improve your health. Coffee itself is not bad for you. Rather, add-ons, including sweeteners and creams, make it unhealthy. For a healthier alternative, try some almond milk in your latte, with stevia or honey as sweeteners.
If you are a heavy coffee drinker make lunch you last cup. Drinking caffeine in the afternoon and evening can seriously effect your ability to sleep soundly. As long as you don’t load your coffee up with too many calories it is just fine to have several cups during the morning hours.
After making coffee, stir it into the pot. Stir your coffee for the best taste and smell. You’ll notice a difference when it comes time to serve, and you’re treated to a more fragrant and flavorful cup.
Do not throw away your old coffee grounds. If you have a garden, you can use your coffee grounds as fertilizer for your plants and flowers while keeping the pest away. You can also use old coffee grounds to scrub dirty dishes or clean your kitchen counter instead of using chemicals.
Does your coffee taste the way you want it to? If you let your coffee machine heat with just water before making coffee, your coffee will taste better. Once you heat up the water, start over with your coffee grounds. This is also an excellent way to clean the machine.
After buying coffee beans and opening the bag, don’t leave them in that bag as your storage solution. Get them into an airtight container, and place them out of direct light. This helps them stay fresh much longer.
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.
When measuring out coffee grounds and water, consider how many cups you want to make. A cup of coffee is not really a cup as it is only around six ounces. Two tablespoons of coffee to a coffee cup is the typical coffee to water ratio. Measuring cups end up giving you watered down coffee.
If you notice that you are buying the same type of coffee, try buying in bulk. This will help to maximize your investment, especially if you stick with a particular brand. Check online to see if you can buy a large bag or bucket of coffee beans, which will help reduce your expenses during the year.
Are you looking for an original gift for one of your friends who loves coffee? You should get them a gift basket filled with different blends of coffee. This will be an opportunity for your friend to enjoy quality coffee while discovering new flavors. You should even get a gift basket for yourself if you want to discover some new blends.
Even if you do not have a coffee grinder at home, you can purchase whole beans and grind them at the supermarket. Most stores that sell whole bean coffee also have a machine that you can use to grind your coffee as you purchase it. This is a great way to choose the grind you prefer.
If you are grinding your own coffee, the medium grind is preferable for regular purposes. It works great for the home drip brewer. It should be around the consistency of common table salt when you are done. Practice with your own machine until you learn what produces flavors you prefer.
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.
Make it a habit to only grind enough coffee for your immediate use. When you grind a whole bag of coffee, you are speeding up the flavor shelf life. Those grounds will lose flavor within a couple of days, where the fresh beans would have held out a little longer.
Talk to your friends about their favorite coffees. All kinds of coffee exist; therefore, it’s likely that there are some types you haven’t tried yet. However, it’s possible these people might have tried them. Ask them about what they drink. If you’re lucky, they will offer you an invitation to sample their favorite in their home, so you will get a free cup as well!
If you have coffee left over, pour it into a tray made for ice cubes and freeze it. When melted, these coffee cubes will create iced coffee that doesn’t taste watered down. Coffee ice cubes can be put into hot coffee to cool it down, or even used in specialty drinks.
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.
How long you brew your coffee affects the way it tastes when it’s done. For a full-flavored cup of coffee the brew time should be between four and five minutes. Coffee that’s brewed less than that will be too weak, and coffee that is brewed longer than that will be too bitter.
People all over the globe have loved coffee in all of its variations for centuries. However, not everyone possesses a great deal of knowledge about different varieties, brewing techniques and other relevant subjects. By applying the guidance found above, it is possible to develop into a true coffee expert.
