That cup of coffee in the morning is just the thing to get your blood flowing and get your day off to a great start. There are many ways to make sure that this pleasure in your life is the best it can be. Coffeehouses have many flavors, options and brands to choose from. Keep reading for advice and ideas for simplifying these choices.
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.
Containers that seal out air are the best choice when it comes to storing your coffee. If the beans are exposed to too much air, they will go stale and your coffee will taste terrible. Don’t use the square bags that feature one-way valves, as the seal is going to break. These leak air after they have cooled.
If you like a delicate flavor in your coffee, try adding some right to the pot while it’s brewing. A pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla will add flavor to the brew. Flavoring your coffee this way will keep the flavor from being too overwhelming, and you won’t need cream or milk.
For a stronger cup of coffee, you might want to try using a French press. French presses get more flavorful coffee because the squeeze out extra oil from the coffee beans. Regular coffee machines have paper filters that absorb the flavor-rich oils.
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.
The taste of your coffee often depends on where you get the beans. You ought to experiment with different blends and brands rather than purchasing the same coffee. Price should not influence your decision since you might get more energy from a certain blend and not need to drink as much coffee as you would with a weaker blend.
After purchasing coffee it is important to properly store it for it to retain its freshness. If you will be using your coffee within a week, store it in an airtight plastic or glass container out of direct sunlight and away from heat. If it will be longer than a week before you will use it up, consider placing the coffee in the freezer.
If you are making a cup of iced coffee, it is a good idea to use some hot coffee to melt the sugar before you start. This will stop the grains of sugar from lingering at the bottom of the cup. Each sip will taste just as sweet as the last.
Clean your coffee grinder regularly. Coffee grinds go stale quickly. As a result, it is necessary to clean your grinder often. If the grinder is not cleaned on a regular basis, old stale grinds will be mixed with your freshly ground coffee. It is best to clean the grinder thoroughly every few days.
Did you know that coffee can actually enhance your workout routine? Well, it can. The reason is because of the caffeine. However, it is important to ensure that you are well-hydrated beforehand because coffee can dehydrate it. Also, avoid drinking excessive amounts. Just a four-ounce cup is really all that’s needed.
Keep your coffee in the refrigerator. The best coffee is fresh tasting coffee and keeping it cold is a great way to preserve the freshness of it. Simply store the coffee in the container you buy it in and put it in the fridge. This will ensure the freshest coffee.
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.
The longer your coffee sits in a pot on the warmer, the worse it will taste. Fresh brewed coffee always tastes best. The longer it sits, the more bitter it becomes. This is one of the key reasons why many of the larger coffee makers will throw out coffee if it sits longer than 20 minutes.
Jazz up your coffee with unique sweeteners and flavors from your pantry. In comparison to white sugar, raw sugar and brown sugar add unique flavors. Coffee infused with nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon is also very delicious. It is always possible to use almond, soy and rice milks in coffee instead of traditional milk and creamer.
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.
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.
As mentioned, the options you have with coffee are many. The choices are numerous. Ideally, you learned something from this article.
