Whether you are new to the wonderful world of coffee, or an experienced aficionado, there is always something new to learn. New information about the coffee experience is continually coming to light. Continue reading this article to find out more about the best ways to use coffee to enhance your life.
If you want great coffee at home you have a couple choices. You can invest in either an espresso machine, or one of the new single serve coffee makers. The espresso machine will require a bit of a learning curve as you learn to properly brew espresso and steam milk, but can be a great way to impress your friends.
Do not use tap water when you are making coffee unless your faucet is fitted with a device that will filter out all of the impurities. There are many people that have no problem with tap water, but the reality is that tap water that tastes bad will make your coffee taste just as bad.
If you like iced coffee, brew coffee in the evening, and chill it in your fridge overnight. You will give the coffee time to cool down instead of watering it down with ice when it is hot. Prior to setting the coffee in the fridge, add sugar and milk as desired. This technique will give you a perfect glass of iced coffee every time.
While your coffee is brewing, try soaking the coffee mugs in hot water. A cold mug will cool off your drink before you can even get it to your lips! When the coffee is ready, simply dry off the mugs and serve. This trick will keep it hot much longer.
Keep coffee beans protected when you buy in bulk. When fresh beans are exposed to heat or light, they lose some of their own flavor. That is why your beans need to be stored in a non-transparent, sealed container.
Decide how many cups of coffee you wish to brew. A traditional coffee cup holds six ounces whereas a measuring cup holds eight. For every 6 ounces of water you should use 2 tablespoons of coffee. If you use a measuring cup, you will end up with watered down coffee.
To get the ideal flavor from your coffee beans, the water needs to be just the right temperature. Boiling water is too hot and as a result will sap the more bitter oils from your beans. Alternately, water that is not hot enough will not brew all the flavor from your beans leaving you with a very bland coffee.
Many people use bacon soda to keep smells from permeating refrigerators, but used coffee grounds have the same effect. Coffee acts like a natural sponge, and it will absorb any odors it comes in contact with. This is why you should place a small dish of them in your refrigerator to keep odors at bay.
Use coffee syrups if you like flavored coffee. These are great alternatives to creamers and flavored beans. They are made from quality ingredients that smell and taste great. They’re consistent, and you can control how much sweetness or flavor you want. They also won’t cause a mess in your equipment since you directly add them to your cup.
Only store your coffee beans at room level temperatures. Coffee beans that get stored inside a cold appliance are going to attract and absorb both condensation and the aromas of nearby foods. The resulting flavor of the coffee is going to wind up reflecting this, and turn into substandard coffee.
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.
Be sure to clean your coffee machine. Many people just keep making coffee over and over again, but you have got to make sure you clean it regularly. Run a mixture of vinegar and water through your machine to naturally clean the machine instead of using chemicals. When you do this, you can be assured you have the most delicious coffee you can have.
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.
Drink coffee only during the early hours of the day. Coffee has a great deal of caffeine, which can keep you awake when it is time to go to Ned. Even if you have your last cup hours before bed it can remain in your system so be sure that you stop drinking it before noon.
Is your coffee better tasting when you put creamer or milk in there? You can mix in milk with your coffee in different ways. Cold milk is tasty, but warm milk has a different taste and texture. Various amounts of milk blend differently with certain flavors of coffee, so decide which ratio works best for your brew.
Do you love espressos and cappuccinos but do not have the time to make these beverages? You should invest in an espresso or cappuccino machine that takes small cups of concentrated coffee. Try different brands and flavors of cups until you find one you love. This is the quickest and cheapest way to get quality espressos or cappuccinos.
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.
Now that you know a little bit more about coffee, you should be able to enjoy it with abandon. Discover new ways to enjoy it, and let new flavors take you to new heights. You’ll never go wrong experimenting with coffee. You can enjoy the coffee experience now matter who or where you are.
