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 want great coffee at home you have a couple choices. You can invest in either an espresso machine, or one of the new single serve coffee makers. The espresso machine will require a bit of a learning curve as you learn to properly brew espresso and steam milk, but can be a great way to impress your friends.
Here is a great trick to try if you use softened or distilled water to brew your coffee. Just add a small pinch of salt to the pot after brewing. This may sound crazy, but the salt will add a lot of extra flavor to the coffee! Believe it or not!
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.
When you are done with your coffee grinds, do not throw them away. What many people do not know is that used coffee grinds have many uses. They can be used for gardening, getting hardened food off your dishes and removing foul smells. Simply put them in a ziploc bag and put it in a cabinet.
Always make sure that you store your coffee in an airtight container if you are not planning on using it. This will help to preserve its freshness so that you can make coffee that is desirable for all of your friends and family. Coffee tastes the best when it is fresh, as this will help to optimize your brew.
For the freshest and best-tasting coffee around, buy it directly from the company’s website. Typically, these companies will roast the beans for you and send it out within a few days of doing so. Simply go on the Internet and look on the company’s website to find their “grinding process”.
If you grind your own coffee, be sure to only grind the amount you will be using that day. If you grind too much and just leave your coffee around, the elements will take the freshness and taste of it. Contrary to what many believe, storing coffee in the refrigerator does not leave it fresh.
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.
It’s imperative that coffee beans are stored properly, for the best tasting cup of coffee. You do not want your beans to suffer from heat and light. Additionally, other foods can contaminate unprotected beans. Because of that, you should keep the coffee beans in a dark container that is airtight.
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. .
Buy new coffee beans every two weeks. Once you open coffee beans, they usually don’t have a set expiration date. You can seal them in airtight containers to keep them fresh longer. You will, however, likely find that the quality of the taste starts to fade a bit after two weeks.
If you like strong coffee, avoid using a coarse grind. This is one of the most common causes for people thinking their coffee is too weak. If you do not grind your own, you may discover that a darker roast will help you. Either way, you want to create coffee that you enjoy.
It is not necessary to stick with a single type of coffee. Consider trying something new each time you purchase coffee. If you want to keep a few different flavors on hand, try keeping the coffee beans or grounds in the freezer to keep them fresh.
If you like iced coffee put the French press in the fridge the night before. This will get the machine cold for hours before you use it the next morning. In addition, use cold water with it, and you will get a sweet, clean taste in your coffee.
Do you love espressos and cappuccinos but do not have the time to make these beverages? You should invest in an espresso or cappuccino machine that takes small cups of concentrated coffee. Try different brands and flavors of cups until you find one you love. This is the quickest and cheapest way to get quality espressos or cappuccinos.
If you have a lot of ants in your home, you can use coffee to repel them. Sprinkle dry, used grounds anywhere that you normally see them. You can brew a pot and pour it over any ant holes that you see in your yard and they will go away.
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.