Like many people, you probably love to start off each morning with a hot cup of coffee. But how much do you really know about what you are drinking? If you are curious about coffee, this article will teach you more about the different kinds of coffee and how to make the best cup possible.
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.
If you want to make your own coffee, stir the coffee as it is brewing. Stirring helps you maximize the aroma and flavor of your coffee. The coffee will be served with a more robust and richer taste.
If you tend to drink a lot of coffee, you should invest in a quality coffee machine and make your own coffee at home. Go to a coffee shop only occasionally, for instance on weekends or when you go out with some friends. This should help you save a lot.
Once you open a bag of coffee beans, remove them from the original bag and transfer them to a container. Instead, place them in an air-tight container out of direct light. They will stay fresh for awhile this way.
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.
Take advantage of any repeat customer program that your local coffee house runs. Even a single-unit independent place might have a punchcard system where you get a free cup of coffee for every five that you buy. Never throw these away, even for places you do not frequent much. They can still add up to free cups of joe over time.
The best coffee makers actually extract the essence of the bean. Drip coffee makers do not do this. Find an inexpensive French press and taste the difference. A French press will extract the oils from the bean and put them in your cup as opposed to a drip coffee maker which will leave them in the filter.
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.
Avoid reheating your coffee at all costs. When you reheat your coffee, it tends to lose a lot of its natural flavors. If you do not plan on drinking your coffee right away, but you want to make sure it stays hot, your best bet is to pour it into an insulated mug.
The best way to brew coffee is to brew it strong. If you do not like the taste of strong coffee, add milk or water after it is brewed. You want your coffee to be at its peak of flavor. If it is brewed strong and according to the proper water to coffee ratios, it should be strong and aromatic.
Get the best deals on your favorite coffee by finding and using coupons. When they are on sale, use the coupons to buy them at the best price. Many times, grocery stores will print out coupons for the items you purchase most often. This is a great way to save on your coffee budget.
When buying coffee, never buy in bulk. Buy enough coffee for the week and store at room temperature. Heat and light destroy the flavor of your coffee. If you have to, you can store your beans in an airtight container in the freezer, and they will last up to a month.
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.
Invest in a coffee maker that multitasks. There are many things that this little appliance can do in addition to making your coffee. Choose one that will begin your brew so that you have a fresh pot waiting when you wake up. You will accomplish multiple tasks in this way. You are sure to take much greater pleasure in drinking coffee if you never need to brew it when sleepy.
Nowadays, coffee has become very expensive. If you drink a lot of coffee, and you are looking to save some money, it may be wise to buy your coffee in bulk. This will not only save you money, but it will also save you time from having to go out and buy it all the time. Many flavors are brands are available in bulk.
Pinches of salt can help your coffee out if it tastes too acidic. Don't overdo it, though. This simple trick only works if you go easy on the salt. Sea salt will give you a more natural option.
To experiment with the flavor of your coffee without changing from your favorite beans, consider trying different additions. For instance, whole milk and creamer add various levels of sweetening to coffee. For more exotic effects, try using soy or your choice of the flavored milks. Flavored syrups can also dramatically change how a cup of coffee tastes.
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee. Before long, you will be enjoying the most delicious cup of coffee that you have ever had. Just remember the tips from this article the next time you start brewing a fresh pot.