Coffee truly is among life’s great pleasures for countless individuals the world over. However, thorough coffee know-how and expertise is not something possessed by everyone. By reviewing the information below, it is possible to gain the coffee fluency necessary to maximize just about anyone’s enjoyment of this extremely ubiquitous beverage.
The best coffee typically comes from a coffee press. Instant coffee is over-processed and tends to taste awful, while whole bean coffee offers the best aroma and flavor. When you grind it yourself fresh, you’ll be amazed at the difference. Using a press brings out all the best notes, too!
For a rich tasting coffee, consider using a French press. The paper filters in a drip-style coffee maker absorb the flavorful oils in coffee. French presses brew coffee by forcing beans downward, essentially “pressing” the flavor from the beans. The oil is not lost while brewing, which preserves the flavor.
Try adding spices to your coffee grounds to create your own “artisan” flavors. Think about things you would add to chocolate if you are having trouble deciding what to try. Start with simple things like cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also do things like adding a little vanilla abstract to your cup to enrich the flavor of your coffee.
The varieties of coffee beans to choose from can be mind-boggling. Some coffee drinkers like the robust flavor of a dark roast, while others may want a milder and smoother taste. Flavored coffees, such as hazelnut and raspberry, are abundant as well. Most coffee drinkers like to enhance their coffee with flavored creamers, instead of flavored coffee.
You can re-use your coffee grounds for many items. Coffee grounds are great for getting rid of smells like garlic and onion on your hands. You can also use them on dishes that refuse to get clean with regular washing. Coffee grounds can even be used in the garden to take care of pests that threaten your plants.
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.
Do you enjoy strong coffee? You should try using a French press instead of a drip machine. Pressing the coffee means more oil will end up in your beverage instead of being retained by the filter of your coffee machine. You will find that pressed coffee has more flavor and contains more caffeine.
Avoid storing your coffee in the freezer. The extreme temperatures of the freezer will destroy the oils in the coffee. Instead, drink what you have or buy smaller amounts of coffee. If you do not buy too much coffee, you will not need to worry about storing it for an extended period of time.
If your coffee doesn’t taste right, it may be the water you’re using. To counteract bad tap water, use a tap water filter. You can also use a simple pitcher that contains an internal filter or you can use bottled water to brew coffee.
Make sure that you refrain from combining coffee beans from different brands. Not only will the flavor be different, but you will also be combining two sets of coffees that have different expiration dates and levels of freshness. Stick with the same brand and the same bag of coffee beans each time.
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.
Adapt your coffee to water ratio in function of the technique you are using to brew your coffee. A Technivorm or a vacuum pot will require you to use more coffee grounds than a French press or a drip machine. Drip machines are actually the cheapest way to make coffee but you will get a better flavor with other techniques.
To preserve the flavor of newly-brewed coffee, leave it on the burner for a maximum of ten minutes. Your coffee will become bitter because of the burn on the bottom of the pot. An airtight thermos or insulated mug is a good option to help keep your coffee nice and warm.
Use charcoal filtered water when brewing coffee. You can place one directly on your faucet, so you always have filtered water on hand. You can also buy coffee makers with built-in filters. Alternatively, you can purchase charcoal filtered water at the supermarket.
Drink coffee in moderation. Too much coffee, like anything else, can be bad for you. It can give you the shakes and raise your blood pressure. You don’t want that. One or two cups a day is safe for most people. If you’re not sure how much is safe for you to drink, see your physician.
If you grind your own coffee, bean storage is critical. You can use an airtight container for shorter term storage. For longer storage, like if you have bought in bulk, put in an airtight container and freeze. Keeping air away from your beans will keep them fresh and help preserve the flavor.
Remember that coffee does have calories. While it is true that a good jolt of caffeine right before a workout can enable you to exercise more intensely and hopefully burn more calories, that is not carte blanche to drink as much coffee as you want. Each cup still adds up to your total caloric intake.
There is no denying the important role coffee plays in the lives of an astounding number of people. Coffee novices and long-time fans alike can benefit from a bit of additional learning on the subject. The piece above hopefully provided just the sort of information necessary to enhance anyone’s coffee drinking experience.
