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.
Does your coffee get stale because you cannot drink it fast enough? You should store it in an airtight container. Put your weekly dose of coffee into a smaller container and keep it in your freezer so it stays fresh. Store the rest of your coffee in a larger airtight container and open it only when you need to refill your smaller container.
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.
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 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.
If regular coffee no longer provides you enough caffeine, consider brewing espresso. This does mean you will need a different piece of equipment, as your regular coffee maker likely cannot do it. Espresso machines are typically expensive though, and the intensity of the caffeine levels is too much for some. Try espresso a few times somewhere else before making this commitment for your home.
Make sure that you always refrain from putting coffee beans in the freezer or refrigerator. When these beans are placed in areas that contain food, it will absorb the smells of the food and take away from the coffee taste. This will ruin the quality of your coffee, as you should always separate beans from other nourishments.
Invest in a good-quality coffee grinder. A good grinder grinds coffee beans efficiently and consistently to ensure even extraction. The reason for efficiency is to ensure that not much heat is generated during grinding. Too much heat being generated during the grinding process can negatively affect the taste of the coffee. .
Keep your coffee press from getting corroded. Regardless of how great your coffee and filtration are, repeated water passing through the press leaves a residue. The mineral buildup might start ruining the taste of your coffee. The simplest fix is run hot water with some white vinegar included every few weeks to keep your coffee tasting fresh.
To control the strength of your coffee, watch the size of your grind. In this case, coffee is a lot like garlic. The tinier you dice (or grind) it, the more potent the flavor you’ll get when cooking or brewing. If you are looking for a milder flavor, then keep your grind rather large.
Do you have health problems such as high blood pressure? If yes, you should stay away from any beverage that contains caffeine. Try drinking some decaf if you miss the taste of coffee and talk to your doctor about how much caffeine you should drink. Staying away from caffeine for a while should help you get your blood pressure under control.
Not all coffee should be stored in the freezer because doing so could result in less tasty coffee. Instead, you should divide your weekly stash of beans into equal amounts and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. The future week amounts can be stored in the freezer.
Do you enjoy creamy coffees and rich cappuccinos? These beverages contain huge amounts of calories. Actually, drinking a cappuccino from your favorite coffee shop can be compared to eating an ice cream. Ask about calories the next time you order a creamy beverage and try drinking black coffee if you need to watch your weight.
Are you wary of adding sugar to your coffee, but still want it to taste like it has been sweetened? Warm up milk and pour it into the coffee. The warm milk has a natural sweet taste. It also replaces cream. It’s also healthier than both sugar and cream.
The water you use in your coffee is as important as the beans. If you use a drip-brewer, then avoid putting hot water into the drip machine. Instead, start with cold water. Charcoal filters can dramatically improve the taste of local water, but avoid using softening filters on your coffee water. Softened water may not pull the oils from the beans properly.
Adapt your coffee to water ratio in function of the technique you are using to brew your coffee. A Technivorm or a vacuum pot will require you to use more coffee grounds than a French press or a drip machine. Drip machines are actually the cheapest way to make coffee but you will get a better flavor with other techniques.
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.
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!
