If you are ready to expand your knowledge and participation in the world of coffee, then you will be happy to know that there are numerous resources available to help you learn the lingo and choose the brews that give you the greatest sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. Read on for some ways to immerse yourself in the nuances of finding the best coffee beans and methods of preparing them.
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.
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.
To save money by buying bulk coffee without sacrificing flavor, measure out what you plan to use immediately and store it at room temperature. Coffee tastes best when it is brewed from room temperature grounds. Coffee you plan to use within the next week can go in the refrigerator, and the remaining beans or grounds should go in the freezer.
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.
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.
If you normally drink coffee at home but are getting tired of the same-old tastes, keep an eye open when you pass by coffee shops and houses. Coffee shops have new flavors and drinks they release and test out all the time, particularly seasonally. Summer’s offerings happen frequently, and many even have “happy hour” discounts during deader hours of the day.
If you want to be treated to a different flavor of coffee every morning, but you do not have the funds to make the daily trip to a cafe, you should try buying coffee creamer that has the flavors you want. They are not very expensive and you can use a different one every day to mix things up a bit.
When brewing your coffee, use bottled or filtered water. Doing so, you will obtain maximum flavor for your brew. However, you do not want to use water that is too soft. The flavor will not be extracted as well. Look for a nice balance. Compare the flavor of your coffee with different brands or types of 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!
Don’t be afraid to spice up your coffee grounds. You can add lots of different things to develop different flavors, like allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. If you’re afraid of adding too much, you could even add a pinch after the brewing cycle instead. You’ll be surprised at the flavor combinations you can create!
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.
For those of you who prefer a more medium cup of coffee, you should roast your beans for between 9 and 11 minutes but no longer than that. When they come out of the roaster they will look dry, but it produces a much sweeter taste than a mild brew.
A clean coffee maker is a great coffee maker. If your coffee maker is not cleaned on a weekly basis, your coffee will suffer. Use a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water to run through the coffee makers system to flush out any dirt and contaminants that could influence the taste of your coffee.
Try buying different kinds of coffee. Each time you buy coffee, try a new blend. Don’t be afraid of purchasing more than one kind, and always store your coffee grounds or beans in an airtight container for freshness.
Ask your favorite coffee shop how they make the coffee. This will of course give you some great ideas about brewing your own coffee, but make sure that you ask good questions. Ask about technique, but also ask where the coffee comes from and how it is grown and harvested. You want to make sure you’re having the best coffee, after all!
If you have a lot of ants in your home, you can use coffee to repel them. Sprinkle dry, used grounds anywhere that you normally see them. You can brew a pot and pour it over any ant holes that you see in your yard and they will go away.
Enjoying a great cup of coffee is no longer a simple “push the button” process on a drip machine in the morning. This international beverage has made its way into the elite corners of specialty cafes and fine dining establishments across the globe. You can easily be a coffee connosieur in no time with the information you have learned. Dive in and start enjoying your coffee, your way.
