Most people understand that brewing your own coffee as opposed to stopping by Starbucks everyday can save you quite a bit of money. However, most people aren’t able to get that coffee shop quality or taste when they brew it themselves. The following article will help you learn how you can make consistently great tasting coffee from the comfort of your own home.
If you prefer to purchase whole coffee beans, do not grind the beans ahead of time. The flavor of the coffee will diminish shortly after it’s been ground up. Do not try to grind all of it ahead or you will be treated to a weaker grade of coffee.
When buying coffee grounds, inspect the packaging to ensure that they are pesticide-free. Coffee takes its flavor mostly from whatever area where it was grown. So, organic coffee will taste better than anything else in most cases.
The price of ground coffee has increased considerably over the past year, and even if you grind it yourself, the coffee beans have also increased in price. Sometimes the less expensive coffee tastes just as good as the higher priced brands, but it may take some trial and error to find one you like.
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.
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.
It is not necessary for coffee to be stored in the freezer. You may not realize it, but coffee can take on the smell and flavors of food it is near. Therefore, your best bet is keeping coffee in an airtight container that is kept at room temperature. If you must freeze it, or even refrigerate it, make sure it goes into a well sealed freezer bag.
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.
Think ahead about how many cups of coffee you need before you determine the balance of water and beans. Traditional coffee cups can hold around six ounces and a measuring cup can hold eight. The best ratio is about 2 tbsp. of coffee to 6 ounces water. If you use a measuring cup, it could end up making your coffee too watery.
The best tasting coffee comes from the best water. If the water from your tap tastes awful before you make your brew, it is still going to be unpleasant after making your brew. Use bottled water if you have to or purchase a simple filtering system to improve the taste of your water.
For a summertime treat, create coffee ice cubes. Fill up a tray with a bit of leftover coffee and freeze them for that special occasion. When you are creating the perfect iced coffee, you now be ready with the perfect ice cube too! These ice cubes won’t water down your coffee which will keep the flavors going for much longer.
If your grocery store just isn’t cutting it when it comes to the way your coffee tastes, try buying from somewhere else. Coffee grounds in the grocery store sit on the shelf a long time so they lose their flavor and freshness. If you go to a coffee shop for the coffee, you can get beans that are not as old.
Ask family and friends for suggestions. Perhaps your loved ones have tried one of many flavors that you have not tried. You can ask them what varieties of coffee they enjoy. Your friends and family may even be willing to give you a sample of their favorite blend to try.
Do your own math. The ratio of coffee to water you use is very important. However, not all coffee pots are alike. Pay attention to how much your coffee pot will hold. Don’t just trust the instructions on the back of your coffee’s packaging. Do your own math to get the ratio just right.
Try sweetening your coffee with something other than sugar for one week. Then take a look in your canister to see just how much more sugar you have. This can be a real eye opener for how much of the sweet white powder you usually use. You will likely find ways to enjoy future coffee without risking diabetes so much.
Use filtered, cold water for brewing coffee. This helps reduce mineral build up and wear on your coffee maker. More importantly, filtered water makes a better cup of coffee. If you think about it, coffee is just flavored water, so the better the water is, the better the coffee will taste!
Find your favorite coffee shop on Facebook and Twitter. You can obtain exclusive news about future promotions, flavors, and specials. Sometimes they even provide coupons and discounts that are only available online, and these can save you money on your coffee purchases in the future.
If you are washing dishes and there is no scouring pad available, you can use old coffee grounds to get them clean. Apply a good amount of them to your sponge and scrub away any stuck on food. Do not use them on any porous materials because it will turn them brown.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, making your own coffee often doesn’t result in coffee shop quality java. However, when you implement the tips and tricks given in this article, you are mere moments away from creating wonderful tasting coffee that is sure to brighten up your morning.