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.
If you want great coffee at home you have a couple choices. You can invest in either an espresso machine, or one of the new single serve coffee makers. The espresso machine will require a bit of a learning curve as you learn to properly brew espresso and steam milk, but can be a great way to impress your friends.
Many people store coffee in their freezers because it keeps it fresher for a longer amount of time. However, many people fail to realize it needs to be wrapped well. If you place it in the freezer with strong-smelling foods, and it is not wrapped tightly, there is a chance your coffee will pick up those odours.
If you want to get the most coffee for the least amount of price, clip coupons. Coffee is nothing special when it comes to this. Clipping the right coupons and saving them for double coupon days can really add up the savings, for both coffee and related commodities like creamer.
Buy whole coffee beans and grind the coffee yourself. Coffee that is freshly ground is much more flavorful and aromatic than pre-ground coffee. Each day, only grind the amount of coffee that you need for that day. If you have any extra, place the leftover grinds in an airtight container in the fridge.
Remember that coffee is a very absorbent food. So, proper storage is essential. Keep your unused coffee in a place that is dry and cool where it is protected from both sunlight and heat. However, do not store it in your fridge or freezer. Also make sure the container is opaque and air-tight, to prevent coffee from absorbing flavor and aromas from other foods.
The water you use when brewing coffee is a critical element. The coffee you make will only be as tasty as the water used. Take a sip of your water choice before you choose to put it in the machine.
You do not need to tip the barista at a coffee shop the same percentage as you do a waitress or a hairdresser. Your hairdresser has to understand precisely what you want and then do it, and a waitress has multiple tables to keep up with exactly everyone’s order. Your barista mixes up one cup at a time, so do not feel guilty for tipping him or her less. Still, do throw a few coins in the tip jar frequently.
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.
Make sure that you always refrain from putting coffee beans in the freezer or refrigerator. When these beans are placed in areas that contain food, it will absorb the smells of the food and take away from the coffee taste. This will ruin the quality of your coffee, as you should always separate beans from other nourishments.
Understand the amount of time that your coffee will be good for, whether it be ground coffee or whole bean. Typically, ground coffee will be good for up to a week to maximize the quality of taste, whereas whole bean coffee can last up to three weeks of time. Learn these time constraints to limit stale coffee in your home.
Keep your coffee press from getting corroded. Regardless of how great your coffee and filtration are, repeated water passing through the press leaves a residue. The mineral buildup might start ruining the taste of your coffee. The simplest fix is run hot water with some white vinegar included every few weeks to keep your coffee tasting fresh.
Be sure to regularly clean out your coffee maker or pot. If you wait too long between cleanings, your coffee is more likely to have a foul taste and you may even find coffee grinds in it. A good rule of thumb is to clean it out at least once a week.
Many discriminating coffee drinkers insist their coffee be fresh ground, and they buy whole beans to be ground just before they brew their coffee. The coffee grinders can be adjusted to make a fine ground coffee, or a coarser grind. Generally, the finer the grind, the stronger the coffee.
To control the strength of your coffee, watch the size of your grind. In this case, coffee is a lot like garlic. The tinier you dice (or grind) it, the more potent the flavor you’ll get when cooking or brewing. If you are looking for a milder flavor, then keep your grind rather large.
Don’t be afraid to spice up your coffee grounds. You can add lots of different things to develop different flavors, like allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. If you’re afraid of adding too much, you could even add a pinch after the brewing cycle instead. You’ll be surprised at the flavor combinations you can create!
If you can’t get the flavor you want from one brew, try mixing brews. Either experiment with mixing beans on your own, or visit a coffee shop where a barista can help you choose the blend that is best suited to your taste.
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.
