If you are ready to expand your knowledge and participation in the world of coffee, then you will be happy to know that there are numerous resources available to help you learn the lingo and choose the brews that give you the greatest sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. Read on for some ways to immerse yourself in the nuances of finding the best coffee beans and methods of preparing them.
To enhance the natural flavors of any type of coffee, try brewing it in a traditional French press. The paper filters used in drip-style coffee makers absorb most of the oils that produce flavor in coffee. A French press works by using a plunger to push the ground beans down to the base of the pot. The oil remains in the brew. This lends a richer flavor.
You can re-use your coffee grounds for many items. Coffee grounds are great for getting rid of smells like garlic and onion on your hands. You can also use them on dishes that refuse to get clean with regular washing. Coffee grounds can even be used in the garden to take care of pests that threaten your plants.
If you loved your coffee on ice, try cold-brewing your own coffee concentrated. There are many recipes available online; Most entail mixing a few cups of water into several ounces of ground coffee, allowing the mixture to sit overnight. When the grounds are strained out, you are left with a smooth, rich concentrate that can be diluted with milk or water and ice.
Consider investing in a coffee grinder if you want incredible flavor. Doing so, you will be able to grind your beans as you need them. You will be amazed at the difference between coffee brewed from fresh beans and that made from a canned or bagged grind. You owe it to yourself.
One way to keep coffee fresh is by buying whole bean coffee and only grinding as much as you plan on drinking at the time. Most coffee loses its flavor because people make more than they plan on drinking. Light, humidity, air, and oxygen can quickly decrease the flavor and aroma of your coffee by damaging its oils.
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.
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.
If you brew a large pot of coffee that will not be consumed quickly, take it off of the burner. Place it into a pre-heated storage device. When coffee is left on the burner, the taste will deteriorate quickly. A nice carafe or other storage device will eliminate this concern.
To get the ideal flavor from your coffee beans, the water needs to be just the right temperature. Boiling water is too hot and as a result will sap the more bitter oils from your beans. Alternately, water that is not hot enough will not brew all the flavor from your beans leaving you with a very bland coffee.
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.
Coffee beans are grown all over the world, but most people think of Columbia as the origin of most coffee. There are certain regions of the country that produce the most flavorful coffee because of the climate there. Columbian coffee beans that have been roasted properly are thought to produce the best flavor of coffee.
Many people crave some degree of sweetness in their coffee, but are reluctant to add sugar. Consider using warm milk instead of sugar or other sweetening products. Warm milk will give you the sweetness that you desire without the high level of sugar. Warm milk is a healthier alternative to using cream and sugar in your coffee.
If you do not mind spending a few bucks more, you can join a coffee club which will deliver coffee to you at set intervals. There are multiple choices of the types of coffee you can order, either whole bean or your choice of ground coffee. Some of these companies also provide you with a free coffee maker.
If you frequent a particular coffeehouse often, see if they will give you a discount for bringing in your own cup or mug. These cups can sometimes cost the shop a few pennies at a time, so they can save money too over time. They also get the chance to make a pro-environmental statement with you.
Try a new variety or blend of coffee every week. This can be a great idea for a lot of reasons. You can try new tastes of course, and that helps you avoid getting bored with one flavor, but there is also an opportunity for you to buy a new favorite.
If you don’t want to spend so much money on a coffee addiction, think about coffee subscription clubs. Joining these clubs can save you as much as 33 percent. In addition, a high-quality club will only send you coffee when your supply is getting depleted. This allows you to always have fresh coffee at your disposal.
Enjoying a great cup of coffee is no longer a simple “push the button” process on a drip machine in the morning. This international beverage has made its way into the elite corners of specialty cafes and fine dining establishments across the globe. You can easily be a coffee connosieur in no time with the information you have learned. Dive in and start enjoying your coffee, your way.
