subject: The Steps To Making The Perfect Cup Of Coffee [print this page] Coffee is America's drinkCoffee is America's drink. Most people start their day with a steaming cup of Joe. Many are relegated to purchasing over priced drinks from local cafes because the perfect cup eludes them at home. Here we will outline the steps needed to brew your own at home.
Always make sure the equipment is clean. If any residual coffee is left in the carafe the oils will go rancid and the residual will burn. This will give the cup a bitter flavor.
Get the freshest beans possible. Coffee is an agricultural product, so the fresher it is, the better it will taste. Purchase beans from a purveyor that does a lot of volume. You don't want the beans you buy to be sitting around in a store for a long time.
Only buy enough to support your habit. This harkens back to the freshness of the bean. Just like sitting around a grocery store, sitting around in your home will make a bean stale as well.
Use the best possible water. If the tap water is good enough to drink, use that. If it tastes funny use filtered water.
Grind the beans just before use. Have a grinder at home to take care of this job. Fresh grind means fresh tasting java.
Select the correct grind size for your apparatus. Coarse grind is best for cold water brewing in a percolator. Medium grind is the most useful. This is used for drip methods and French presses. Fine grind is used for vacuum and Neapolitan flip methods, popular in Europe. Extra fine is used for espresso machines.
Make sure you are using the appropriate amount of grounds. A six ounce cup should be brewed with 2 tablespoons of beans. Using more grounds will not yield a stronger cup and is wasteful. Using less grounds forces the water to extract too much out of he grounds, leaching bitter flavors from the beans.
Store beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Putting beans in the fridge will expose them to moisture, which will ruin flavor. If beans must be put in the freezer, use them within 2-3 months.
Use very hot, but NOT boiling water to brew. This is not usually an issue if using a drip machine. This applies to the French press method.
Stir the brew before serving. This helps evenly distribute the particles and oils. This creates a more consistent cup rather than letting all the flavor sit on the bottom.
Store any remaining coffee in a thermal carafe or thermos. This will keep it hot and fresh without scalding it on the hot plate of a machine.
Following easy steps and making them a routine will ensure a consistently delicious and fresh cup of coffee. It is easier than you think.
