It can be tricky to make a good cup of coffee. Sometimes coffee might be too strong; others times it may be too weak. Read on for some useful tips and techniques to ensure a consistently tasty cup of coffee each and every time.
To enhance the natural flavors of any type of coffee, try brewing it in a traditional French press. Flavor is compromised by the paper coffee filters used in drip-style coffee brewers. Conversely a French press actually squeezes out extra oil for more flavor. The oil is not lost while brewing, which preserves the flavor.
Buy your coffee directly from the roaster. You can do this easily online these days. A lot of places are willing to ship directly to you. Your coffee will arrive within a couple of days. This is the way to get the freshest roast coffee to drink every morning with breakfast.
Do not throw away your old coffee grounds. If you have a garden, you can use your coffee grounds as fertilizer for your plants and flowers while keeping the pest away. You can also use old coffee grounds to scrub dirty dishes or clean your kitchen counter instead of using chemicals.
The human body needs at least four hours to eliminate caffeine. You should keep this in mind if you want to drink a cup of coffee before going to bed. It is best to drink a decaffeinated beverage if you need to go to sleep within the next few hours.
Do not keep your coffee in the refrigerator unless it is in a container that is absolutely airtight. This is important because moisture can cause coffee to become moldy. It is best to keep your coffee in the cabinet where it will stay warm, dry and at its best quality.
If you want to help the Earth out a little in your coffee habit, then buy filters that are reusable. These will spare you from wasting a lot of paper filters in the future. This is green for the planet, and saves the green in your wallet. Many reusable filter enthusiasts also think their coffee tastes better this way.
Did you know that drinking a cup of coffee will improve your exercise? Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee will give you a great boost when consumed prior to your exercise routine. This little lift may be just what you need to get through your exercise and preform the way you want.
If you like to grind your own coffee, try adding a few nuts to the grinder along with the beans. Many people enjoy the interesting flavor nuts provide to a cup of coffee. Some great nuts to try include: almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts. You can even experiment with nutty combinations!
The taste of coffee largely depends on the beans. Experiment with many blends and brands to become a true aficionado. Don’t let the price deter you. If you find a great blend, one cup might be just as satisfying as three cups of what you drink now.
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.
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.
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.
Most coffee drinkers prefer a mild cup of coffee over any other strength. Roast your beans for around 7 minutes, or until they double in size and pop. This will make you a wonderfully mild and smooth cup of coffee. This is perfect for iced coffees and other coffee drinks.
Don’t overdo it on coffee consumption. Consuming excess coffee can result in dehydration. You need at least a few glasses of water for each coffee cup to maintain a balance. More than one coffee could cause dehydration without the proper steps, so keep an eye on consumption.
For the freshest coffee, buy fresh beans. If you have the choice, buy from a professional roaster and ask the roaster the time since roasting on the beans you are considering. Look for beans that were roasted that day. Steer clear of store-bought brands, especially those that you pick from bins. Those have more than likely lost flavor due to being in direct light.
A great tip for those who want to make their own coffee is to use water that is just below boiling temperature. If your water is in the range of 195-205 degrees F, your coffee will end up tasting much better than if it was at a full boil.
If you do not use your coffee maker often, make sure that you do not leave grounds or brewed coffee sitting in the machine. They will sprout mold within a few days, which can be harmful and difficult to remove. Diluted bleach solutions or white vinegar can remove mustiness and kill mold spores if necessary.
If you have a drip machine, you should try using different kinds of filters. Fine filters will retain a lot of oil but are best if you use finely ground coffee. You should experiment with different filters and visit your favorite coffee shop for a wider selection of filters and some useful advice on which filters you should use for your favorite blend.
As mentioned earlier, it is not easy to make a great cup of coffee all the time. Every time you make a cup of coffee using the great advice above, you will be in coffee heaven.
