Do you have a favorite cup of coffee? Maybe it’s your own special brew, or perhaps it’s from a favorite coffeehouse. There are a lot of ways to brew coffee and many blends to choose from. Read on for some real insights into buying coffee.
For the most part, the greater amount of money you spend in coffee, the better the taste. Investing in a good machine and fresh beans will give you the best results. The tendency to cut costs can leave you with a less than satisfying cup of coffee.
If you want to get the most coffee for the least amount of price, clip coupons. Coffee is nothing special when it comes to this. Clipping the right coupons and saving them for double coupon days can really add up the savings, for both coffee and related commodities like creamer.
If regular coffee no longer provides you enough caffeine, consider brewing espresso. This does mean you will need a different piece of equipment, as your regular coffee maker likely cannot do it. Espresso machines are typically expensive though, and the intensity of the caffeine levels is too much for some. Try espresso a few times somewhere else before making this commitment for your home.
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.
A big mistake that many people make when brewing coffee is not using the proper amount of coffee. The proper ratio of ground coffee to water is six ounces of water for every two tablespoons of coffee. Any less coffee and you will have a weak and unsatisfying brew that tastes more like water than coffee.
Make sure your coffee pot is clean. In order to get the freshest tasting coffee you must be sure you are using a clean coffee pot. You can clean it by using a teaspoon of vinegar with a full coffee pot of water. Run your coffee pot as though you are making coffee.
To get the broadest exposure to different coffee types, consider participating in a tasting. This is a low-cost way for you to try a wide variety of beans. Tastings also give you the opportunity to see how each bean is best brewed. Do not be afraid to ask your barista for other recommendations based on what you like or dislike.
Experiment with varying levels of grind for your coffee. Finely ground coffee often results in a strong flavor, but you can weaken flavor with a more coarse grind. The best time to grind is right before you actually brew. Grinding earlier than that can result in stale tasting coffee once brewed later.
The water you use in your coffee is as important as the beans. If you use a drip-brewer, then avoid putting hot water into the drip machine. Instead, start with cold water. Charcoal filters can dramatically improve the taste of local water, but avoid using softening filters on your coffee water. Softened water may not pull the oils from the beans properly.
Check your pantry for distinct flavors and sweeteners you can use to spice up your coffee. If you are tired of using plain old white sugar, try raw or brown sugar, instead. Spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as extracts such as vanilla, work to enhance coffee flavors. Almond milk, rice milk, and soy mild can also replace regular milk, cream, and non-dairy creamers.
If you have strong smells on your hands that will not come out, you should try wetting your hands and then scrubbing them with some used coffee grounds. They will absorb any odors on your hands and have them smelling fresh and clean in no time. Make sure that you rinse them well after you are done.
In order to brew a great cup each time, choose coffee makers carefully. Keep in mind that a French press produces the strongest flavor, while glass carafes cannot retain the freshness of coffee for very long. For households where only one person drinks coffee, or if it is only consumed infrequently, a single-cup brewer may be ideal.
To give brownies, frosting, or other chocolaty treats more depth and complexity, add coffee. The type of coffee depends on the recipe. In some cases, you can replace some of the liquid with cooled, brewed coffee. In other recipes, a couple of teaspoons of instant coffee granules or very finely ground coffee is better.
Never get caught up in a coffee shop debate about whether or not baristas are tipped enough or should get tipped at all. Both sides are passionate about their arguments, and when everyone has a cup of coffee in their hands, a tense conversation can get anxious pretty quickly and out of hand.
If you hate having your iced coffee diluted by the ice cubes, consider making your ice from coffee. When the ice melts, it is only adding to the flavor of your coffee, not diluting it. Just pour regular coffee into a plastic ice tray and put in the freezer for coffee cubes.
Those who like to brew their own coffee would be wise to grind their own coffee beans as well. Not only should you grind your own beans, but only grind what you need to make your next pot. Freshly ground beans have been proven to result in better tasting coffee.
Research a coffee machine before you buy it. You may think that the coffee itself is the most important thing in having a good cup of coffee but that’s like saying that the gas is more important than the car you’re putting it in. A good coffee machine can make a world of difference, so research before buying.
Now you know that the options abound. You probably want to go right out and buy a cup of coffee now. Remember what you’ve learned here as you go out and buy your coffee. Sit back and sip a great cup of coffee!