Coffee is something that everyone is familiar with. But how much do you really know about it, other than that you like it? Finding out more about coffee can really improve the coffee you drink, whether you drink coffee every day or not at all. Here are some tips to help you do that.
Use airtight containers to store your coffee. Air degrades the quality of the coffee beans, making them stale and producing horrible coffee. Don’t use plastic or other types of bags that are not air-tight, even if the coffee was originally stored in it. These bags should only be used if you plan to brew and drink all the coffee immediately.
Put your coffee in the fridge. After you have exposed roasted coffee beans or grinds to fresh air, the flavor can deteriorate quickly. Actually, a large amount of flavor is lost within seven to ten days. Keeping your coffee in the fridge after you have opened the can keeps it fresh longer.
Do not throw away your old coffee grounds. If you have a garden, you can use your coffee grounds as fertilizer for your plants and flowers while keeping the pest away. You can also use old coffee grounds to scrub dirty dishes or clean your kitchen counter instead of using chemicals.
The best way to get iced coffee in a hurry is to make it ahead of time via cold brewing. This involves brewing with just grounds, water, a fine filter, and if you like, some milk. You can easily do this before bed. By the next morning, you’ll have refreshing iced coffee that is ready to drink.
Always store your coffee beans or grinds in a dark, cool, airtight container. Even better, use a vacuum container. Storing your coffee in such a container helps keep your coffee smelling and tasting fresh for a long time. Store the container in the fridge or freezer to maximize freshness.
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.
If you are after that perfect cup of coffee, you owe it to yourself to buy a French press. A French press squeezes the beans resulting in a flavorful blend. With regular coffee machines, those flavor-rich oils tend to get absorbed by the paper filters.
Buying coffee at a special store or coffee shop can be expensive, but it is also a nice treat. You can choose from a variety of flavors and toppings, such as whipped cream or chocolate.
Did you know that drinking a cup of coffee will improve your exercise? Studies have shown that the caffeine in coffee will give you a great boost when consumed prior to your exercise routine. This little lift may be just what you need to get through your exercise and preform the way you want.
Freshly roasted coffee beans are used to prepare the best coffee. Check expiration and roasting dates when buying whole beans. You’ll have better luck if you buy from a shop that specializes in coffee rather than picking up beans at a chain store.
Do you want to make coffee shop style coffee from the comfort of your own home? If so, use more coffee. For every six ounce measurement of water, coffee shops will use two tablespoons at most of coffee. Experiment with ratios and quantities until you find the perfect flavor and keep in mind that you might have to adapt the ratio to the blend you are using.
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.
If you prefer a strong cup of coffee than you should roast your beans from 12 to 14 minutes. The bean sugar caramelizes, giving the beans a slightly oily appearance when taken out of the roaster. This will give your coffee almost a smokey taste, perfect for espressos or those who just love a strong cup of joe.
Try adding sweeteners and flavorings to enhance your coffee. Brown sugar is something different to use instead of regular white sugar. Flavor extracts such as vanilla, coconut and cinnamon can really liven up your cup of coffee. Almond milk, rice milk, and soy mild can also replace regular milk, cream, and non-dairy 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.
Be sure that the temperature of the water for your coffee reaches between 195 to 205 degrees. Most mainstream coffee makers do not heat water that hot. Try heating the water for yourself when you are brewing coffee. A simple French press is always a good idea.
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.
After you give your dog a bath, rub his coat with some coffee grounds. This is a safe and natural way to keep fleas off of him. You have to make sure to cover every part of the coat or there is no guarantee he will be protected from them.
The tips here can assist you in having great coffee. You might think you’re having great coffee, but until you try all of the tips here, you can never be sure. Use this article to help you make great coffee, cup after cup, day after day, and year after delicious year.
