If you love coffee, you need to read this article. You may think that you know everything possible about this wonderful bean, but it’s doubtful. The article ahead contains the best collection of coffee tips and tricks available anywhere. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, and settle down to read the information below.
Don’t grind whole coffee beans until you’re about to brew your coffee. Coffee immediately begins to lose some of its flavor after being ground. Do not try to grind all of it ahead or you will be treated to a weaker grade of coffee.
Don’t reheat brewed coffee. However, this is not because doing so will create dangerous chemicals. Certain chemical compounds that are inside your coffee start breaking down within 30 minutes of brewing. Microwaved coffee or coffee left on a hot plate start this process even faster. This can make coffee taste bitter or different.
Here is a great trick to try if you use softened or distilled water to brew your coffee. Just add a small pinch of salt to the pot after brewing. This may sound crazy, but the salt will add a lot of extra flavor to the coffee! Believe it or not!
If storing coffee in your refrigerator, be sure to use an airtight container. When air can get into the coffee, it will absorb odors from the rest of the items in the fridge. Storing coffee for a period of weeks in the wrong container can lead to moist beans or grounds.
When you brew your coffee at home, do not throw out the used grounds. These coffee grounds might not be good for another cup of coffee, but they are excellent for many other purposes. They are great for composting, exfoliating, cleaning, and quite a few other uses. Don’t throw them away!
If you really want the freshest coffee with a gourmet taste, avoid pre-packaged coffee that sits on the grocer’s shelves. Purchase your coffee beans directly from the roaster through their website. Most roaster’s will have the coffee on your doorstep in just a couple days. This enables you to enjoy the beans when they are at their most flavorful.
Cold brew your coffee using grounds, water, a filter, and milk before going to bed. Trying to quickly cool a hot cup of coffee in the morning by putting it in the refrigerator or freezer can lead to a watered-down beverage. The best coffee is one that is created slowly. Therefore, preparing the night before is important.
Don’t store your coffee near the stove. Heat can ruin the taste of coffee. So keep your coffee in places like a pantry. Do not put it in a cupboard above your oven.
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.
Never drink coffee in the eight hours prior to going to bed. The half-life of caffeine can range from 30 minutes to 8 hours, so this is the only sure fire way of having it out of your system when it is time to rest. Otherwise, you are going to need even more caffeine the next day. A coffee habit can be a little healthy, but caffeine dependency is bad news.
If you are planning to grind your own coffee beans, you should know that the type of grinder you choose can make a big difference in taste. Experts recommend using one that features flat grinding burrs. Blade grinders can actually generate enough heat to burn or scald the coffee beans and ruin the flavor.
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!
If no single brew offers the flavor profile that you want, consider trying a blended brew that mixes different but complementary flavors. Visit your local coffee house and ask if they offer samples of the blend you are interested in, or if they have any recommendations.
Pay attention to the soil the coffee beans were grown in. If you grind your own coffee, beans are important. The soil used to grow the beans you are using can make a huge difference in taste. Do a bit of research if you have particular tastes when it comes to coffee.
Cappuccino is a popular coffee based drink that many people enjoy. It does not have a lot of caffeine, and comes in several delicious flavors. It is quite sweet, and is high in calories unless you choose the low-fat version. Many convenience stores and gas stations have cappuccino machines so you can enjoy a cup on the road.
If you want to brew your own espresso, you need to use beans that have been finely ground. You can also use this grind in your regular drip brewer if you like really strong coffee. A good grinder will allow you to control the consistency to suit your preferences.
When you have finished brewing your coffee make sure to remove the pot from the coffee machine. By leaving the pot in, the coffee will continue to brew. This can ruin the flavor. Put the coffee into a thermos or other container so it will stay hot if you are not going to drink it all right away.
As you can now see, coffee isn’t just a simple bean. There are many different varieties and many different ways to prepare it. The only thing you really need to do is figure out how you like it. Then, you can make it to suit yourself, and never go out for coffee again.
