Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. You can see that by just how many different ways there are to drink it! With all the coffee out there, you need a few pointers on how to have the best cup. This article contains some great coffee information, so check out these tips.
Higher quality coffee costs more. To get the best possible cup of coffee, you have to start with the best beans and the best brewing equipment. If you try to skimp on ingredients and equipment, however, the flavor of your coffee will suffer.
If you don’t want too much sugar in your diet, try Stevia. Stevia comes from plants and is a natural sweetener that sweetens your beverage without glucose or excess calories. You can find this product in your local health food store.
To make a good coffee, always start with fresh beans. They should look kind of oily, and they should be potent. Try to avoid very dry beans, any grocery store beans, and any beans that have been exposed to air for a long time. Your best bet is to either roast beans yourself or buy them from a local roaster.
A French Press can be used to create a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. The paper filters used in most coffee makers absorb up the oils from coffee beans. A French press doesn’t have filters, but it has a plunger which forces the beans to the very bottom. The oil is not lost while brewing, which preserves the flavor.
Try adding spices to your coffee grounds to create your own “artisan” flavors. Think about things you would add to chocolate if you are having trouble deciding what to try. Start with simple things like cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also do things like adding a little vanilla abstract to your cup to enrich the flavor of your coffee.
Steer clear of reheating coffee that has already been brewed. It isn’t harmful, but it tastes nasty. After half an hour, some parts of the coffee break down. This is especially the case when it’s left on a burner or microwaved. It may develop a taste that is bitter or “off”.
Fresh coffee beans taste better than anything you can buy in stores. Did you know you could roast your own beans and enjoy fresh coffee every day? You can easily roast your own beans by placing them in your oven or using a heat gun. Buy some cheap beans to practice.
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.
The best coffee makers actually extract the essence of the bean. Drip coffee makers do not do this. Find an inexpensive French press and taste the difference. A French press will extract the oils from the bean and put them in your cup as opposed to a drip coffee maker which will leave them in the filter.
Do you want to make coffee shop style coffee from the comfort of your own home? You may want to use more coffee. Most coffee shops use two tablespoons of coffee for six ounces of water. The best way to find the right ratio for your tastes is to experiment until you find something that you like.
To keep your coffee beans fresh, put them in the freezer. While many people refrigerate their coffee, doing so allows the beans to absorb odors from foods inside your fridge. A better solution is to freeze the beans. One easy approach is to divide the beans into several smaller packages so you can simply remove a package as needed.
A big mistake that many people make when brewing coffee is not using the proper amount of coffee. The proper ratio of ground coffee to water is six ounces of water for every two tablespoons of coffee. Any less coffee and you will have a weak and unsatisfying brew that tastes more like water than coffee.
For a summertime treat, create coffee ice cubes. Fill up a tray with a bit of leftover coffee and freeze them for that special occasion. When you are creating the perfect iced coffee, you now be ready with the perfect ice cube too! These ice cubes won’t water down your coffee which will keep the flavors going for much longer.
After cleaning your coffee grinder, grind a bit of coffee and then dump it. Since it is difficult to completely clean a coffee grinder, you can do this to get rid of any remaining old, stale grinds. Doing this should not be a substitute for a proper cleaning, however.
Eliminate the expense of coffee shop lattes by making your own at home. With practice you can even teach yourself to create the fancy designs produced by the baristas at your favorite local coffee shop. All you need to perfect your design is patience and practice. Pour the milk into the cup slowly and finish with melted chocolate.
Experiment with different types of coffee – you may discover something new you’ll like. Whenever you buy coffee, you should experiment with different blends. If you like different flavors of coffee, purchase many blends and store them in the freezer to keep them fresh.
Try sweetening your coffee with something other than sugar for one week. Then take a look in your canister to see just how much more sugar you have. This can be a real eye opener for how much of the sweet white powder you usually use. You will likely find ways to enjoy future coffee without risking diabetes so much.
Coffee is a delicious, popular drink, and there are many ways to enjoy it. Make sure you are doing a great job with it by using the tips in this article. Think of the tips when you’re thinking about your own coffee, and you will discover that your coffee improves.
