Whether piping hot or iced in the summer, coffee is a beverage that has enjoyed extraordinary popularity for hundreds of years. The best way to become a true coffee expert is to take the time necessary to gain a strong knowledge base on the topic. Use the tips and information below, and you will soon be the resident coffee expert in your household.
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.
Good water is essential for good coffee. You may want to use bottled water to make your coffee. Although you may spend a lot using this method, you will see a huge difference with the taste of your coffee. If you want to forgo bottled water, consider investing in a water filtration system. This will also make your drink taste better than normal tap water.
Do not store your coffee in a container that is made of plastic or metal. These materials can change the way that coffee tastes. The best thing to do is to store your coffee in a glass jar that is able to be sealed shut with no way for air to get in.
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.
Don’t throw away your old coffee grounds. They can serve a wide variety of useful purposes in your home. They can help clean your dishes and get rid of backyard pests. In addition, they can be used as compost in your garden. Finally, they even have some beauty uses! It’s amazing what these old coffee grounds can do.
You can easily froth milk at home without having to purchase any special equipment. Heat milk in the microwave until it is steaming. Place a whisk in the cup, and quickly rub the handle back and forth between your palms. Continue until the milk becomes foamy. Avoid using skim milk for this.
Never put coffee in a container by the stove. Heat can easily destroy your coffee’s quality. Any counter tops or cupboards near the oven should be avoided.
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.
If you are planning to grind your own coffee beans, you should know that the type of grinder you choose can make a big difference in taste. Experts recommend using one that features flat grinding burrs. Blade grinders can actually generate enough heat to burn or scald the coffee beans and ruin the flavor.
Try adding sweeteners and different spices to make your coffee more lively. Brown sugar can add some different flavors as opposed to the traditional white sugar. Other flavor extracts that can make a boring old cup of coffee taste great include cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also use rice, almond milks, and flavored soy rather than milk or creamers.
The water you are using when brewing your coffee maters. Does the water from your tap taste a little funny? If you use it in your coffee, your coffee will taste a bit off as well. If taste is an issue for you, try using filtered water to brew coffee.
Finding high-quality beans that are fresh roasted can be difficult. Therefore, try roasting beans yourself. You can do this in several ways. First, you could use a metal bowl and a heat gun. Second, you could use a popcorn popper. Finally, you could lay your green beans on a metal tray and place it in the oven, and take it out whenever you hear the beans start cracking. Roasting your own beans can save you a big hassle.
To create good iced coffee, try putting the French press in the fridge at night. This will get the machine cold for hours before you use it the next morning. Paired with cold water, the chilled press will give you a delicious treat.
If you have found a favorite coffee that you don’t want to give up, but want an added kick, try flavor additions. For example, creamer and whole milk add very different levels of sweetness to your coffee. For a more exotic addition, try soy or flavored milks in your coffee. Another excellent way to add new flavor to a cup of brew is to add syrups.
Make sure your coffee is sealed well. Oxygen exposure will change the taste of coffee. The coffee will begin to taste stale. The coffee will taste fresher when sealed away without any chance of oxygen touching it.
Stay away from those open coffee bins at the supermarket. You have no idea how long the coffee has been there, or how fresh it is. It is highly possible that you might end up with stale coffee that makes a mediocre cup of coffee. Try instead to get your coffee straight from the roaster, who knows how fresh the coffee is.
Though it comes in a dizzying array of varieties and can be made into a wide selection of custom beverages, coffee is considered by many to be a true staple. In order to develop into a coffee aficionado, a solid base of knowledge is critical. With any luck, the information above has provided you with just that.
