Many people enjoy drinking coffee. Not only can it give you that extra boost of energy in the morning, but it can become a comforting part of your daily routine. While the topic of coffee may seem fairly straightforward, there is actually a lot that you can do to make the process more enjoyable, cost-effective and efficient. Read on to learn more.
Coffee tastes much better if it is fresh brewed, and is actually lower in caffeine if consumed soon after it is made. Some people are particular about using only spring water or bottled water to make it, while others seem to think tap water works just fine for making good coffee.
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 a delicate flavor in your coffee, try adding some right to the pot while it’s brewing. A pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla will add flavor to the brew. Flavoring your coffee this way will keep the flavor from being too overwhelming, and you won’t need cream or milk.
Do you need to exercise? You should drink a cup of strong coffee an hour before you go for your run or head to the gym. The caffeine will give you the energy you need to work out efficiently. However, it is very important that you drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout session.
If you want superb quality, you have to carefully select the water you use. Bottled water is one option, and though you might balk at the expense of the water, your coffee will taste much better. If using bottled water does not interest you, at least get a purifier to add to your faucet. While it is not quite the same as bottled, your drink will also taste better than if the water came from the tap.
Coffee tastes better when you use fresh coffee beans. Check expiration and roasting dates when buying whole beans. The best place to buy beans is a specialty store, rather than a common grocery store.
Take advantage of any repeat customer program that your local coffee house runs. Even a single-unit independent place might have a punchcard system where you get a free cup of coffee for every five that you buy. Never throw these away, even for places you do not frequent much. They can still add up to free cups of joe over time.
Invest in a good-quality coffee grinder. A good grinder grinds coffee beans efficiently and consistently to ensure even extraction. The reason for efficiency is to ensure that not much heat is generated during grinding. Too much heat being generated during the grinding process can negatively affect the taste of the coffee. .
Don’t keep any coffee storage contains near ovens. Heat can easily destroy your coffee’s quality. Thus, it is necessary to steer clear of counters or cabinets situated in close proximity to the oven.
If you tend to eat cookies with your coffee in the morning or night, try dipping one into the other. Cookies taste great when combined with coffee, and can give you the injection of flavor that you desire. Make sure that when you dip, you have a napkin or towel nearby to avoid a mess.
If you are a regular coffee drinker, and it is an important part of your day, consider expanding your knowledge and learning more about how to brew a better cup. Look for freshly roasted beans, available in most supermarkets these days, in the specialty coffee aisle. Grind the whole beans yourself at the store, then consume them within a few days, in order to get the best flavors.
The longer your coffee sits in a pot on the warmer, the worse it will taste. Fresh brewed coffee always tastes best. The longer it sits, the more bitter it becomes. This is one of the key reasons why many of the larger coffee makers will throw out coffee if it sits longer than 20 minutes.
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.
Never store your coffee beans in the refrigerator. Coffee beans tend to soak up odors from other foods in the refrigerator, ruining the taste of your brew. Instead, if you aren’t planning to use them within a week or two, store the beans in an air-tight container in the freezer to preserve freshness.
The water temperature is extremely important for brewing a great tasting cup of coffee. If you are not satisfied by the coffee your automatic machine is producing, check the temperature of the water after it is heated. It should be between 195 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit to produce the best tasting cup of coffee.
A common mistake that people make when brewing coffee is the ratio between water and coffee. Many people will use way too much water or way too little coffee when making a cup. For best results, use two tablespoons of coffee per cup desired.
If you are in the habit of drinking a couple cups of coffee every day, you should think twice about having it if you get pregnant. The effects of caffeine on your unborn baby may be harmful, especially if you drink it in the first trimester. It is best to cut out other caffeinated drinks also.
The topic of coffee is more complex than it first appears. If you are a caffeine addict, you probably look forward to drinking at least a cup of coffee each day. By using the tips provided in this article, you will have a better overall coffee experience and be happier with what you drink.
