subject: An Insightful Examination Of Crucial Elements For Coffee [print this page] Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, rivaling tea as the morning beverage of choice for millions of people. Whether the preference is organic shade-grown specialty blends or the average ground beans in a can, there is no doubt that true coffee lovers will go to great lengths to get their "fix." Read on for some interesting tips and insights about this passion-inducing liquid that we can't seem to live without.
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.
The water you use in your coffee is as important as the beans. If you use a drip-brewer, then avoid putting hot water into the drip machine. Instead, start with cold water. Charcoal filters can dramatically improve the taste of local water, but avoid using softening filters on your coffee water. Softened water may not pull the oils from the beans properly.
If you like a mass-produced coffee brand but just cannot get a strong enough brew, then consider buying your beans directly from the maker's website. Most serious coffee makers are happy to send serious consumers their freshest products whereas the counterparts found on retailer's shelves tend to sit their for days, losing flavor all the while.
Grind your own coffee. To get the biggest flavors out of your brew, instead of buying pre-ground coffee, grind your coffee at home. There are budget-friendly electric grinders that you can buy that will allow you to buy the whole bean alternatives. This will give you the opportunity to grind each time you brew.
If you are washing dishes and there is no scouring pad available, you can use old coffee grounds to get them clean. Apply a good amount of them to your sponge and scrub away any stuck on food. Do not use them on any porous materials because it will turn them brown.
Know your coffee lingo. Knowing the right words can mean the difference between an excellent cup of coffee you enjoy, and the kind of "slop" that is rumored to be served by your mechanic. Know the difference between Arabica and Robusta, and a latte and a cappucino, and you'll be able to better decide what you want.
If you are feeling down, try changing to a new flavor of coffee. Simple changes like this can help stimulate your mind and pull you out of your rut. Be sure to take time to enjoy this special cup and try to identify the new flavors. Keep a few sample packs in your cupboard to pull out for these special occasions.
Coffee starts to lose flavor about six hours after it is initially roasted. This is why you should do everything you can to keep your coffee from getting a lot of air. When you store your coffee, use an airtight container so you can keep the quality of each cup at a high level.
Experiment with varying levels of grind for your coffee. Finely ground coffee often results in a strong flavor, but you can weaken flavor with a more coarse grind. The best time to grind is right before you actually brew. Grinding earlier than that can result in stale tasting coffee once brewed later.
You should make sure to clean your coffee pot every time you use it so that any residual flavors do not tarnish the taste of it. There are oils that will stick to the coffee pot over time. Many people do not notice the difference, but true coffee lovers will be able to tell right away.
Not all coffee should be stored in the freezer because doing so could result in less tasty coffee. Instead, you should divide your weekly stash of beans into equal amounts and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. The future week amounts can be stored in the freezer.
These are just a few of the tips can help you find out more about coffee, and in turn help you make a more fantastic cup of coffee. Apply the tips to your own coffee practices, and you will start tasting the difference and you are going to love it!