Coffee: Everything You Need To Know About Your Favorite Drink
With so many different types of coffee out there, choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming at times. Many people often wonder where to start when it comes to making their own coffee. The following article will help you determine what kind of coffee drinker you are and which blends are suited for you.
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.
French presses are best used for brewing coffees with deep, flavorful qualities. The filters used in traditional coffee makers also absorb some of the flavor. Rather than relying on paper filters, a French press uses a plunger system to extract the flavor from the beans inside a glass, metal or plastic carafe. This leaves the bean's oils within the coffee, giving it a rich flavor.
For a quick and affordable brew of espresso, try using a Moka stovetop coffee pot. Mokas generally produce one or two cups of coffee in the amount of time it takes to boil that amount of water. The coffee is brewed by pressurized steam rising through a funnel of coffee grinds and then rising again into the top chamber where it is ready to be poured into a cup.
Do not leave your coffee open any longer than necessary. While preparing your coffee, don't open the can or bag until you are ready to scoop. Immediately after scooping, close the coffee container. This will keep your coffee fresher longer. It also keeps the flavor and aroma from evaporating in the air.
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!
The water you use when brewing coffee is a critical element. Your coffee is only as tasty as the water it's made with. It might be wise to taste the water prior to adding it to the coffee maker.
Do not freeze all of your coffee in one large container. This is a good way for your coffee to become spoiled easily. Every time you thaw out coffee, it will have some moisture in it. Refreezing it constantly will kill the quality. Use small storage bags to freeze it in batches.
Put your money into a standard coffee grinder. Grinding coffee beans just prior to brewing will help create a fresher taste. Most models allow you to adjust the coarseness of the grind to accommodate different brewing styles. Many coffee makers come with built-in grinders which will help free up counter space.
Make sure you are patient whenever you are creating lattes. The best lattes are those that are created with due care. Be careful when pouring the milk, and use extreme caution when creating the design. Don't just rush into it, and if you need some ideas on designs, check out Flickr.
Freshly roasted beans make the best coffee. Make sure you look at the expiration date when buying whole beans. It is generally best to buy your beans from a specialty store or coffee shop rather than the supermarket.
Does your tap water tastes bad? It could influence the way your coffee tastes. If your tap water has an unpleasant taste, consider using bottled water to make coffee or get a filter installed on your tap. You will find that your coffee tastes much better if you use cleaner water.
Many people use bacon soda to keep smells from permeating refrigerators, but used coffee grounds have the same effect. Coffee acts like a natural sponge, and it will absorb any odors it comes in contact with. This is why you should place a small dish of them in your refrigerator to keep odors at bay.
Even if you do not have a coffee grinder at home, you can purchase whole beans and grind them at the supermarket. Most stores that sell whole bean coffee also have a machine that you can use to grind your coffee as you purchase it. This is a great way to choose the grind you prefer.
To prevent your iced coffee from becoming watery, try making coffee ice cubes. When regular ice cubes melt in iced coffee, they can water it down. To avoid that, pour some room-temperature coffee into ice cube trays and place them in the freezer. A little later, you'll have coffee ice cubes that will add more coffee flavor to your iced coffee as they melt.
Make it a habit to only grind enough coffee for your immediate use. When you grind a whole bag of coffee, you are speeding up the flavor shelf life. Those grounds will lose flavor within a couple of days, where the fresh beans would have held out a little longer.
If you want to brew your own espresso, you need to use beans that have been finely ground. You can also use this grind in your regular drip brewer if you like really strong coffee. A good grinder will allow you to control the consistency to suit your preferences.
You don't have to buy only one kind of coffee. When you need to purchase coffee, try a new blend. If you like different types, keep them around so you can have them when you want.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, choosing the right type of coffee for you can be a bit difficult if you don't know what you're dealing with. Make sure to use the tips and tricks provided in this article to help you make an informed decision the next time your looking to purchase some java.
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