Coffee has gotten a bad rap in the last decade, but that hasn’t stopped millions of people from flocking to overpriced coffee shops. And, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, people should know more about the coffee they drink than they currently do. The article below has the information you need to become the coffee aficionado you long to be.
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.
Many people want to reduce their sugar intake. Never fear, it’s easy to do that with coffee. Agave nectar, for example, contains sugar but will not harm your blood sugar. Splenda and Stevia are just two low-calorie sweeteners that many coffee drinkers use to replace sugar.
If you are making iced coffee with instant coffee grounds, you should add twice as much as you would normally add to a hot cup. This is because adding ice will dilute the coffee and make it weak if you do not make sure that you make it strong enough.
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.
Look at where your coffee originated. Where the coffee was grown makes a big deal to the overall flavor. For instance, Latin American countries tend to grow beans that have a milder taste. If you are looking for more of an exotic taste, you’ll want to consider coffees from Africa.
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.
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.
A good tip to keep in mind when brewing coffee is to rinse off your paper filters before actually brewing your coffee. Rinsing off the paper filter will get rid of any loose paper particles, which will prevent your coffee from tasting funky. All it takes is a few extra seconds.
Try using coffee when cooking meats. When you think of coffee in foods, you typically think of a flavor that is rather strong. In desserts, that’s definitely true. But when you use coffee as a rub for red meat, it actually brings out the flavor of the meat itself, making for a much tastier meal.
Do not buy purchase coffee that has packaged beans and is pre-flavored. These coffees are made using oil that is hard to clean out of a coffee pot. They will also affect future pots of coffee that you make, giving each subsequent cup a funny taste. Furthermore, the flavors these coffees are made with tend not to taste good anyway.
To keep your coffee beans fresh, put them in the freezer. While many people refrigerate their coffee, doing so allows the beans to absorb odors from foods inside your fridge. A better solution is to freeze the beans. One easy approach is to divide the beans into several smaller packages so you can simply remove a package as needed.
If you do go to a coffeehouse for a cup of joe and work away from home, be careful how you place your laptop. You do not want to spill your drink on it, nor do you want anyone reading your screen over your shoulder. Also be mindful of what you say on the phone. Your competition could be in there too.
Coffee can help you burn fat if you do not add any sugar, cream or chocolate syrup to it. Drinking coffee with sugar will definitely undo any of it’s potential fat burning properties. Take your coffee black and drink a cup prior to eating your morning meal. It will assist you in your weight loss endeavors.
You don’t have to go out for fancy coffee. You can easily make lattes and other drinks at home inexpensively. Research how to make your favorite coffee drinks online. You will be surprised at how many of them; you can make without the aid of fancy appliances. Likely, a simple coffee maker is all you’ll need.
If you are a regular coffee drinker, and it is an important part of your day, consider expanding your knowledge and learning more about how to brew a better cup. Look for freshly roasted beans, available in most supermarkets these days, in the specialty coffee aisle. Grind the whole beans yourself at the store, then consume them within a few days, in order to get the best flavors.
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.
Now that all that is said and done, you are closer to being an expert on coffee. Continue researching the wonderful world of coffee, and it won’t cease to reward you. The wonderful aroma and taste of the perfect coffee will continue to please you for the rest of your life.