Coffee has gotten a bad rap in the last decade, but that hasn’t stopped millions of people from flocking to overpriced coffee shops. And, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, people should know more about the coffee they drink than they currently do. The article below has the information you need to become the coffee aficionado you long to be.
If you are concerned about your coffee staying fresh for a good amount of time, try not to buy so much of it at one time. Many people buy coffee in bulk, but the reality is that the coffee will start to diminish in quality by the time all of it is consumed.
If brewing at home, coffee can prevent cabin fever. Coffee shops feature free WiFi for internet access, meaning that you can work from there instead of home. Some restaurants have followed suit.
Though freezing items can allow them to last longer, remember that coffee stored in the freezer ought to be left there for no longer than 90 days. If you do, it will begin to get stale.
Test out your coffee maker before actually brewing any coffee. This means running a brewing cycle as if you are making coffee using only water. This will remove any dirt or odors that may be present in the machine.
Just because you are drinking a dark roast coffee does not mean your coffee has more caffeine in it. This is just the way the beans were prepared, not how much caffeine is in them. If your coffee has the term Robusta on it’s packaging, it usually has twice the amount of caffeine as standard Arabica coffee.
Look at where your coffee originated. Where the coffee was grown makes a big deal to the overall flavor. For instance, Latin American countries tend to grow beans that have a milder taste. If you are looking for more of an exotic taste, you’ll want to consider coffees from Africa.
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.
If you really want to try your hand at making a great cup of fresh roasted coffee, try roasting the beans yourself. There are a variety of ways to roast your own beans if you have access to green coffee. You can even put them on a cookie sheet in your oven to roast them yourself.
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.
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.
Get used to cooler coffee if you have recently had a baby. Active infants usually need your hands on them pretty often to keep them safe and loved. Finishing a cup of coffee with a baby around can take a lot longer than you think, so find a way to live with room temperature coffee, or switch to an insulated mug.
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 get the cleanest taste and the least negative effects from your coffee habit, consider trying organic coffee. Because coffee beans absorb the flavor of virtually everything, they are exposed to, those that are processed with chemicals tend to have a muted or distorted flavor. On the other hand, organic coffee beans offer a very clean and pure brew.
Your pantry holds a variety of coffee sweeteners that you have probably never thought of using before. Compared to white sugar, brown sugar and raw sugar add a special flavor. You may also consider spices and extracts to switch it up as well. You can also use almond, rice and soy milk can be used instead of milk.
Take care and consume coffee in moderation. Although it is a beverage, it can actually cause dehydration. When you drink coffee, try to offset the effects by drinking two cups of water. More than a cup of coffee without also having water will dehydrate you.
Other people can be a great source when you have questions about coffee. There are probably some good brews out there that people in your social circle know about that you just haven’t stumbled across. Ask them what’s good and what they drink. They may want to show you their favorite in person at their home!
If you love the great taste of freshly brewed coffee, stay away from the grocery store. The beans you can grind on the coffee aisle say “fresh,” but have been sitting there for quite some time. Instead, go directly to the roaster’s website. Many places will ship your beans within a day or two of roasting, giving you maximum freshness!
Now that all that is said and done, you are closer to being an expert on coffee. Continue researching the wonderful world of coffee, and it won’t cease to reward you. The wonderful aroma and taste of the perfect coffee will continue to please you for the rest of your life.
