There is nothing that people love to drink more than coffee. With so many different kinds and so many different ways to enjoy it, this popular drink is growing even more popular every day. What do you need to know about it? Here are some smart tips that will help you get more out of your favorite drink.
To make a good coffee, always start with fresh beans. They should look kind of oily, and they should be potent. Try to avoid very dry beans, any grocery store beans, and any beans that have been exposed to air for a long time. Your best bet is to either roast beans yourself or buy them from a local roaster.
If you must add something creamy to your coffee, consider using real milk instead of whitener. Whitener is a frightening blend of ingredients you can’t pronounce, while milk of any sort – be it cream, homo, 2% or skim – provides protein, vitamin B12 and other great nutrients your body needs.
Are you satisfied with the coffee you are making with your dripping machine? Try running a cycle through with just water. Let it go through the full cycle, but skip adding the coffee. After an entire pot of just hot water has been processed, begin again using actual coffee. You can also clean your coffee maker this way.
For best coffee flavor, buy whole beans. Then, grind only the amount that you plan on using. You will find that your coffee has a stronger flavor. You will also use less product to make that fabulous taste. Additionally, you can create custom blends using different beans, so that you can impress your friends.
A coffee grinder goes a long way toward making a great cup of coffee. Grinding your beans just before brewing leaves aromatic, flavorful oils intact and makes coffee taste fresher. You typically have the ability to change the grind’s coarseness, which will let you brew how you would like. You can also find grinders that are built into some of the more popular brands of coffee makers.
The taste of your coffee is dependent of the origin of the beans. Experiment with many blends and brands to become a true aficionado. Don’t let the price deter you. If you find a great blend, one cup might be just as satisfying as three cups of what you drink now.
Store your beans and coffee grinds properly. Whole beans and ground beans both lose their flavor rather quickly. To prevent this, get them into a container that is airtight, and place the container in a dry and cool area. For extended storage, you could even freeze the beans for up to three months.
If you are buying coffee from a drive-in window, always error on the side of caution to stay as protected as possible. Typically, when you are buying coffee in this form, it will be piping hot, as you will not want to burn your hands or other areas of your body.
Coffee grinders are not all alike, so look for ones with flat grinding burrs or ones that are conical in shape. This type of grinder minimizes how much heat is generated. This keeps your coffee tasting good. Grinders with blades can be inconsistant. This causes excess heat, and it can burn your coffee beans.
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.
To gauge which roasts are right for your taste preferences, pay close attention to the color of the beans. Typically, the darker a bean is roasted the stronger its brewed taste will be. French roasted beans are dark but Italian roasted beans by far produce the darkest and strongest coffee.
Do you enjoy creamy coffees and rich cappuccinos? These beverages contain huge amounts of calories. Actually, drinking a cappuccino from your favorite coffee shop can be compared to eating an ice cream. Ask about calories the next time you order a creamy beverage and try drinking black coffee if you need to watch your weight.
If your kids have been bugging you for a sip of your coffee, but you do not feel that it is appropriate for them to have it, consider buying coffee flavored syrup for them to add to milk. This gives you the same great coffee flavor without worrying about caffeine.
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.
If you have a bit of leftover coffee, you can always freeze it in cube trays. You can use these cubes of coffee in your next iced coffee and, unlike ice made from water, they won’t weaken your beverage. This is a great trick for cooling down your coffee.
If you have a lot of ants in your home, you can use coffee to repel them. Sprinkle dry, used grounds anywhere that you normally see them. You can brew a pot and pour it over any ant holes that you see in your yard and they will go away.
Even though avid coffee drinkers prefer fresh brewed coffee, some people use instant coffee granules to make a quick cup rather than a whole pot. The flavor of the instant coffee is different than brewed coffee, and most people think it is inferior. It is quite convenient though, and some consider that convenience worthwhile.
Let these tips help you to make that perfect cup of coffee to get your day and your life moving in the right direction. Try each tip out, and see which work best for you. Coffee is a popular drink that is growing in popularity even today, so make sure to pass this article on to others, too!