What is a more popular drink than coffee? The aroma, the taste, everything about coffee is inviting and delectable. However, there are so many kinds out there that it can be tough to find one you like the best. Here are some tips about coffee that will guide you to that perfect cup.
The price of ground coffee has increased considerably over the past year, and even if you grind it yourself, the coffee beans have also increased in price. Sometimes the less expensive coffee tastes just as good as the higher priced brands, but it may take some trial and error to find one you like.
Ascertain that you are using the right amount of water when you brew coffee. Without enough water, the flavor will be overpowering. If you add too much water, the coffee will become too saturated. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to put two cups of water in for each cup of coffee you are making.
Make sure that you always refrain from putting coffee beans in the freezer or refrigerator. When these beans are placed in areas that contain food, it will absorb the smells of the food and take away from the coffee taste. This will ruin the quality of your coffee, as you should always separate beans from other nourishments.
Consider investing in a coffee grinder if you want incredible flavor. Doing so, you will be able to grind your beans as you need them. You will be amazed at the difference between coffee brewed from fresh beans and that made from a canned or bagged grind. You owe it to yourself.
For people who really enjoy a great cup of coffee, never take your beans or grind out of the freezer and into the hot water. Keep your beans at room temperature prior to brewing. If you have a lot, freeze some and keep enough at room temperature for the week.
For those individuals who do not want to consume caffeinated drinks, but love the flavor of coffee, they can enjoy decaffeinated coffee. Some people do not have a problem with a little caffeine, and half-caffeine coffee is a good choice for them. There is no appreciable difference in the flavor between full and half-caffeine coffee.
A great tip when brewing coffee is to always use the right water. You can’t just use any water when brewing coffee. If you’re using dirty tap water, you can probably expect an unpleasant tasting cup of coffee. Good water to use should have some minerals in it that will help to extract the best flavor.
When you are looking for a coffee grinder, do not purchase one that uses blades. Instead, look for one that has cone shaped or grinding burrs to reduce the beans. You will obtain a more consistent cut. Also, the flat blades have a tendency to overheat and can give your coffee a scorched flavor.
Learn how to easily froth milk to add to coffee. All you have to do is heat up your milk or cream in the microwave until it is steamy. Take a whisk and rapidly spin its handle in between your hands. Keep going until the milk is frothy. Use milk that is higher in fat, at least 2 percent.
If you are used to an independent coffee house, then be careful when ordering in Starbucks. They have a very different language for their products, as part of their distinct branding. The Caramel Macchiato you love back home is not going to taste at all the same in a Starbucks while on the road.
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.
If you prefer a strong cup of coffee than you should roast your beans from 12 to 14 minutes. The bean sugar caramelizes, giving the beans a slightly oily appearance when taken out of the roaster. This will give your coffee almost a smokey taste, perfect for espressos or those who just love a strong cup of joe.
Are you wary of adding sugar to your coffee, but still want it to taste like it has been sweetened? Warm up milk and pour it into the coffee. Warm milk imparts a sweet flavor that takes the place of cream. You can entirely replace cream and sugar with milk and have a healthier cup of coffee.
If you have extra coffee, make ice cubes out of it. As the ice in iced coffee melts it can water it down, so use coffee ice cubes in place of regular ice cubes. They can be added to cocktails as well, or even to hot coffee to cool it.
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.
The ratio of coffee to water is very important. If you enjoy coffee from your regular coffee shop, you probably enjoy coffee with a more intense flavor. This means you will likely want two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water you are using to brew it with.
Use filtered, cold water for brewing coffee. This helps reduce mineral build up and wear on your coffee maker. More importantly, filtered water makes a better cup of coffee. If you think about it, coffee is just flavored water, so the better the water is, the better the coffee will taste!
After reading this article, you should know enough to find the right coffee for you. Whatever blend you choose, you should know enough to make that cup of coffee even more tasty for yourself. Take the tips laid out here, and use them everyday to help enjoy coffee that much more.
