Coffee has gotten a bad rap in the last decade, but that hasn’t stopped millions of people from flocking to overpriced coffee shops. And, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, people should know more about the coffee they drink than they currently do. The article below has the information you need to become the coffee aficionado you long to be.
Drunk properly, coffee can be good for you. It’s the additives we put in coffee that can be unhealthy. Instead, use almond milk and put a little honey in it.
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.
There are many health benefits that have been discovered from drinking coffee. Feel free to indulge in your morning cup without fear. You may want to switch to decaf if the caffeine in the coffee effects other medications you are taking. Reduce or eliminate creamer and sugar to maximize these benefits.
For people who really enjoy a great cup of coffee, never take your beans or grind out of the freezer and into the hot water. Keep your beans at room temperature prior to brewing. If you have a lot, freeze some and keep enough at room temperature for the week.
If you really want to try your hand at making a great cup of fresh roasted coffee, try roasting the beans yourself. There are a variety of ways to roast your own beans if you have access to green coffee. You can even put them on a cookie sheet in your oven to roast them yourself.
You should never reheat coffee, as it will just burn the beverage and taste far worse than being cold. Instead, know when you will have your coffee for more than 20 minutes. Have an insulated mug or a thermal carafe handy for these occasions to retain the original heat and warmth.
To brew the best cup of coffee, your water temperature needs to be just under the boiling point. At this temperature, the water will extract the maximum amount of flavor from your beans. If your coffee does not taste good in the morning, run a thermometer in the water to ensure that it is heating to the right temperature.
What’s that funky taste? Have you considered that the source may be the water you’re using to brew your coffee? If the water from your tap tastes bad all the time, invest in a filter for your faucet. Alternatively, you could utilize a pitcher that has a built-in filter. Another idea is to just use bottled water to make your coffee.
If you like flavored coffees, buy some creamers and syrups and make your own. You won’t have different flavors that stick to your coffee pot. This also allows your guests to choose their own favorite flavors. The flavors will dissolve in the coffee if added before milk.
Keep your coffee machine clean. Once you are done drinking coffee, you should rinse the coffee pot and remove the coffee grounds. Rinse the machine as best as you can and run hot water through it at least once a week to clean it thoroughly. Do not leave coffee or grounds in your machine for more than an hour.
The best tasting coffee comes from the best water. If the water from your tap tastes awful before you make your brew, it is still going to be unpleasant after making your brew. Use bottled water if you have to or purchase a simple filtering system to improve the taste of your water.
Once you have opened your coffee, it is important that you store it properly. Conditions that are too hot or too cold could take away its flavor. Store coffee in a container that can be sealed tightly and keep it in a room that has room temperature. Keep it away from the stove!
If you do not grind your own coffee, you should consider doing so. The best and most flavorful cup of coffee will come from freshly ground beans. Coffee grinders are not very expensive and this extra step only takes a minute. You will notice the difference in taste from your very first cup.
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.
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.
Take the coffee out of the coffee maker when it’s done brewing. The coffee will cook and its flavor will be ruined if you leave it on the maker. If you will not use all of it before it cools, transfer it into an insulated container to keep it warm.
If you love the great taste of freshly brewed coffee, stay away from the grocery store. The beans you can grind on the coffee aisle say “fresh,” but have been sitting there for quite some time. Instead, go directly to the roaster’s website. Many places will ship your beans within a day or two of roasting, giving you maximum freshness!
Now that all that is said and done, you are closer to being an expert on coffee. Continue researching the wonderful world of coffee, and it won’t cease to reward you. The wonderful aroma and taste of the perfect coffee will continue to please you for the rest of your life.
