How To Make Great Coffee In Your Own Kitchen
You might be one of those people who drink coffee daily. Millions do. However, you might not think there is anything else to know about the topic. After all, you mix the beans and the water and that’s it, right? Wrong! There are a lot of things you can learn that can improve your coffee. Here are just a few tips.
Seal all of your coffee in airtight containers. If air does get in, the beans will take the odors of the surrounding foods. Get the coffee out of the bag that it came in, because once those seals have been broken, air will come in. They really are just for letting out air after you’ve roasted the beans.
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.
It is very important to properly clean your coffee making equipment. If you do not clean the equipment frequently, the taste of your coffee may suffer. You do not have to clean the equipment fully after ever use, but if you start to notice a slight odor or buildup of any kind, it should be fully cleaned.
One way to ensure that your iced coffee does not become watery when you place the hot coffee over ice is to use ice cubes made from coffee. To make coffee ice cubes, simply pour freshly brewed room temperature coffee into your ice cube trays and freeze. When you are ready to enjoy an iced coffee, place the frozen coffee ice cubes in a glass and fill with your freshly brewed coffee.
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.
If you normally drink coffee at home but are getting tired of the same-old tastes, keep an eye open when you pass by coffee shops and houses. Coffee shops have new flavors and drinks they release and test out all the time, particularly seasonally. Summer’s offerings happen frequently, and many even have “happy hour” discounts during deader hours of the day.
Never drink coffee in the eight hours prior to going to bed. The half-life of caffeine can range from 30 minutes to 8 hours, so this is the only sure fire way of having it out of your system when it is time to rest. Otherwise, you are going to need even more caffeine the next day. A coffee habit can be a little healthy, but caffeine dependency is bad news.
It’s important to be on the lookout for the caffeine levels in your coffee. Not all coffee has equal amounts of caffeine. For instance, Robusta beans contain two times the coffee that Arabica does. Depending on the type of beans used and the amounts that were used, drip coffee can actually contain more caffeine than espresso. Make sure you keep yourself informed.
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.
Cappuccino is a popular coffee based drink that many people enjoy. It does not have a lot of caffeine, and comes in several delicious flavors. It is quite sweet, and is high in calories unless you choose the low-fat version. Many convenience stores and gas stations have cappuccino machines so you can enjoy a cup on the road.
Did you know you could get addicted to caffeine? If you suffer from headaches or get irritated when you go a whole day without drinking coffee, you might be addicted. Try getting rid of your addiction by reducing the quantity of coffee you drink or by choosing a weaker blend.
Adapt your coffee to water ratio in function of the technique you are using to brew your coffee. A Technivorm or a vacuum pot will require you to use more coffee grounds than a French press or a drip machine. Drip machines are actually the cheapest way to make coffee but you will get a better flavor with other techniques.
Find a coffee maker that multitasks. This little appliance can perform many things, including making coffee. You can set it to start at a certain time so that your coffee is ready as soon as you get up. This gives you extra time in the morning to take care of things that need to be done. And, you will enjoy your coffee so much more when you don’t have to make it while you’re groggy.
Don’t believe the hype drinking coffee. Unless you have a medical condition that suggests otherwise, a cup of coffee each day is not bad for you. It may even be a good thing. Consult your doctor if you’re not sure if coffee consumption is something you should be engaging in.
Drink coffee in moderation. Too much coffee, like anything else, can be bad for you. It can give you the shakes and raise your blood pressure. You don’t want that. One or two cups a day is safe for most people. If you’re not sure how much is safe for you to drink, see your physician.
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!
