Coffee is just so refreshing isn’t it? You may wonder how you can enjoy your coffee differently than you do. Be sure that you haven’t explored every option available to you. Continue reading to find out just how you can spice up that next cup of joe in the morning.
Make sure that you make your coffee in water that you would have no problem drinking alone. This is important because the taste of the water will affect the way that it makes your coffee taste. If you live in an area where the water quality is not that great, use spring water to brew your coffee.
If you tend to drink a lot of coffee, you should invest in a quality coffee machine and make your own coffee at home. Go to a coffee shop only occasionally, for instance on weekends or when you go out with some friends. This should help you save a lot.
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.
There have been many studies about whether or not coffee is healthy or harmful. Some state that the caffeine in coffee can be harmful unless it is consumed in moderation. Other studies seem to indicate that coffee can work as an antioxidant, and can actually help prevent some diseases such as cancer.
Keep your automatic coffee maker clean with white vinegar. Run a brewing cycle with one part water to one part white vinegar. After allowing the carafe to soak in the vinegar for a while, run a cycle with plain water to rinse the machine. Clean your coffee maker once every week or two to remove rancid coffee oils, mold and other contaminants.
If you want the best iced coffee that you have ever had, you need to brew the coffee cold. If you do try to make hot coffee cold, you can end up with a pretty awful brew. If you start your brewing right before bedtime, you will have delicious iced coffee for your morning commute.
Avoid storing your coffee in the freezer. The extreme temperatures of the freezer will destroy the oils in the coffee. Instead, drink what you have or buy smaller amounts of coffee. If you do not buy too much coffee, you will not need to worry about storing it for an extended period of time.
Avoid reheating your coffee at all costs. When you reheat your coffee, it tends to lose a lot of its natural flavors. If you do not plan on drinking your coffee right away, but you want to make sure it stays hot, your best bet is to pour it into an insulated mug.
If you notice that you are buying the same type of coffee, try buying in bulk. This will help to maximize your investment, especially if you stick with a particular brand. Check online to see if you can buy a large bag or bucket of coffee beans, which will help reduce your expenses during the year.
Even if you do not have a coffee grinder at home, you can purchase whole beans and grind them at the supermarket. Most stores that sell whole bean coffee also have a machine that you can use to grind your coffee as you purchase it. This is a great way to choose the grind you prefer.
When buying coffee, never buy in bulk. Buy enough coffee for the week and store at room temperature. Heat and light destroy the flavor of your coffee. If you have to, you can store your beans in an airtight container in the freezer, and they will last up to a month.
If you want to brew your own espresso, you need to use beans that have been finely ground. You can also use this grind in your regular drip brewer if you like really strong coffee. A good grinder will allow you to control the consistency to suit your preferences.
Even if you cannot afford designer coffee beans, you can get a more flavorful brew by choosing coffee beans or freshly ground coffee over packaged ground coffee. Because grinding the beans instantly releases their flavor, you want to brew ground beans as quickly as possible. Coffee that is already ground when you buy it is probably past its flavor prime.
For those who love iced coffee, refrigerate your French press the night before you use it. That way, it will be ready in the morning. You can do this with cold water, and your coffee will be wonderful.
Don’t pour any coffee before the coffee is completely brewed. When coffee first starts dripping, it’s weak. Whenever it’s completely finished, it’s strong. During the brewing process, the coffee becomes mixed together and flavorful.
You should use a little coffee when you are making steak because it helps the flavor and the texture. Not only will it make the meat more tender, but if you rub it in the outside of a steak and cook it, you will be treated to a slightly smoky flavor.
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.
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!
Now are you excited? Get pumped, and go buy that gourmet blend you’ve been wanting to try. Experiment with different flavors, add some different ingredients to your coffee. Heck, even through it on some ice! Remember what you’ve read here as you jump out of bed tomorrow for that fresh cup of coffee.
