You wake up in the morning, and you start the coffee pot brewing. Only thing is, you have settled into a routine in which you hardly enjoy that first refreshing cup. Shake things up a bit! Continue reading to find out how you can enjoy more options when it comes to your fresh brew.
If you are looking for a great way to turn basic, boring drip coffee into a special treat look no further than your own fridge and pantry. Hot chocolate mix or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be great ways to sweeten up a cup of coffee and make it something special.
Coffee can be a great way to get out of the house. Free WiFi is commonly offered at coffee shops, so you can take your laptop and get some work done there. If your town does not have a coffee shop, there are many restaurants that serve a good cup of joe.
You can re-use your coffee grounds for many items. Coffee grounds are great for getting rid of smells like garlic and onion on your hands. You can also use them on dishes that refuse to get clean with regular washing. Coffee grounds can even be used in the garden to take care of pests that threaten your plants.
If you want strong coffee that tastes great, a French Press is good for that. A French press makes a better brew by extracting more oil from the beans into your coffee. Regular coffee machines allow those flavor-rich oils to soak up in the paper filters.
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 are living alone, or are the only one in your family who drinks coffee, consider purchasing a single-serve coffee maker. Companies such as Keurig have created coffee makers that use a coffee pod, a single serving of coffee grounds in a small container that fits inside the machine. This type of coffee maker is also useful if you like to drink a different flavor of coffee each day.
It is not necessary to keep your coffee stored in the freezer. Coffee can absorb flavors and scents from nearby food items. You should keep your coffee in a place that is dark and where air does not get to it. If refrigerating or freezing coffee is a priority, make sure to use freezer bags that can be tightly sealed.
One of the things that you can do to improve the quality of your coffee is to filter the water that you use instead of using tap water. This will reduce the amount of chemicals in the mix when you are making your coffee, yielding a clearer and fresher taste upon drinking.
You should not have your first cup before the brew is finished. While certain coffee makers allow for this, you will find that the flavor is harmed. Instead, you should buy a machine with a timer. Your coffee will be ready when you wake up.
For great coffee at home, it is essential to make sure your coffee maker has been thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. By running hot water cycles every so often and using a bit of lemon juice routinely to remove deposits, it is possible to have a fresh, tasty pot of coffee every single time.
If you are a regular coffee drinker, and it is an important part of your day, consider expanding your knowledge and learning more about how to brew a better cup. Look for freshly roasted beans, available in most supermarkets these days, in the specialty coffee aisle. Grind the whole beans yourself at the store, then consume them within a few days, in order to get the best flavors.
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 frequent a particular coffeehouse often, see if they will give you a discount for bringing in your own cup or mug. These cups can sometimes cost the shop a few pennies at a time, so they can save money too over time. They also get the chance to make a pro-environmental statement with you.
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.
Does your perfect cup of coffee contain milk? You can use milk in a variety of ways for coffee. Cold milk is a common choice. However, you may enjoy the different textures made by warm milk or a frothing machine. Various amounts of milk blend differently with certain flavors of coffee, so decide which ratio works best for your brew.
Don’t believe the hype drinking coffee. Unless you have a medical condition that suggests otherwise, a cup of coffee each day is not bad for you. It may even be a good thing. Consult your doctor if you’re not sure if coffee consumption is something you should be engaging in.
Now are you excited? It’s time to go coffee shopping! No matter what your flavor, and no matter your budget, there are plenty of options available to you. Keep the tips you’ve read here in mind as you hunt down your next fresh brew. You are sure to be delighted.
