Coffee is just so refreshing isn’t it? You may wonder how you can enjoy your coffee differently than you do. Be sure that you haven’t explored every option available to you. Continue reading to find out just how you can spice up that next cup of joe in the morning.
If you just want one cup of coffee sometimes, you might want to think about buying a Keurig maker. This machine offers different flavors and you can make just one cup at a time. Actually, there are many types of coffee makers from which to choose, and most of them have different features.
Make sure that you make your coffee in water that you would have no problem drinking alone. This is important because the taste of the water will affect the way that it makes your coffee taste. If you live in an area where the water quality is not that great, use spring water to brew your coffee.
If you are concerned about your coffee staying fresh for a good amount of time, try not to buy so much of it at one time. Many people buy coffee in bulk, but the reality is that the coffee will start to diminish in quality by the time all of it is consumed.
When you are done with your coffee grinds, do not throw them away. What many people do not know is that used coffee grinds have many uses. They can be used for gardening, getting hardened food off your dishes and removing foul smells. Simply put them in a ziploc bag and put it in a cabinet.
If you drink your coffee cold, think past just traditional cream and sugar. Mix entire fruits into your coffee. You can add foods like oranges, cherries and strawberries for interesting additions to the flavor. Even think about spicing things up with cinnamon or cardamom. The possibilities for you are nearly endless!
If you loved your coffee on ice, try cold-brewing your own coffee concentrated. There are many recipes available online; Most entail mixing a few cups of water into several ounces of ground coffee, allowing the mixture to sit overnight. When the grounds are strained out, you are left with a smooth, rich concentrate that can be diluted with milk or water and ice.
The coffee is a big part of the flavor that you get out of your brew. Look at local stores. You can often find fresh roasted beans. If your town is little, you can hop on the Internet to get it. Once you taste your first cup of your new and improved coffee beans, you will appreciate the greater investment.
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.
To add excitement to your daily cup of coffee or impress dinner guests, learn how to decorate your lattes. Carefully poured milk is all it takes to make an attractive swirl design while more proficient pourers may choose to add chocolate for a more flavorful decoration. When it comes to the more elaborate designs, practice makes perfect!
If you can’t or don’t want to put a lot of sugar in your coffee, consider the following alternatives. Agave nectar contain sugar, but it doesn’t negatively affect the blood sugar control of diabetics. Low-cal sweeteners, such as Splenda and Stevia, can also be used.
Think about using a frying pan to roast your own coffee. While some people may use an expensive machine, it is really not necessary. Using the frying pan is quite a simple process and generally won’t take you more than half an hour to do. Go online to find instructions regarding home roasting. There are a lot of tutorials out there that can help.
One way to keep coffee fresh is by buying whole bean coffee and only grinding as much as you plan on drinking at the time. Most coffee loses its flavor because people make more than they plan on drinking. Light, humidity, air, and oxygen can quickly decrease the flavor and aroma of your coffee by damaging its oils.
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.
To brew the best cup of coffee, your water temperature needs to be just under the boiling point. At this temperature, the water will extract the maximum amount of flavor from your beans. If your coffee does not taste good in the morning, run a thermometer in the water to ensure that it is heating to the right temperature.
Even if you cannot afford designer coffee beans, you can get a more flavorful brew by choosing coffee beans or freshly ground coffee over packaged ground coffee. Because grinding the beans instantly releases their flavor, you want to brew ground beans as quickly as possible. Coffee that is already ground when you buy it is probably past its flavor prime.
You should use a little coffee when you are making steak because it helps the flavor and the texture. Not only will it make the meat more tender, but if you rub it in the outside of a steak and cook it, you will be treated to a slightly smoky flavor.
If you are a person who loves to take your time drinking your morning coffee, you may be disappointed by how quickly it cools down. And, leaving the pot on the burner will scald the coffee, ruining its flavor. To keep your java hot, try one of the coffee makers that brew directly into a thermal pot or carafe. These do not use direct heat, so your coffee tastes good even an hour later.
Now are you excited? Get pumped, and go buy that gourmet blend you’ve been wanting to try. Experiment with different flavors, add some different ingredients to your coffee. Heck, even through it on some ice! Remember what you’ve read here as you jump out of bed tomorrow for that fresh cup of coffee.