Tips And Tricks On Enjoying Awesome Coffee
Can you recall the most delicious brew of coffee you have ever tasted? Perhaps it came from a coffee shop, or maybe you made it at home. There are many methods of making coffee, and even more types of coffee. The below article contains some helpful knowledge on coffee.
No matter how attached you are to your favorite blend, don’t be afraid to try a new variety. You don’t need to invest in a large bag to try out something new. Almost all brands will offer a single pot or sampler size to allow you to try out new flavors.
If you are looking for a great way to turn basic, boring drip coffee into a special treat look no further than your own fridge and pantry. Hot chocolate mix or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be great ways to sweeten up a cup of coffee and make it something special.
Keep your automatic coffee maker clean with white vinegar. Run a brewing cycle with one part water to one part white vinegar. After allowing the carafe to soak in the vinegar for a while, run a cycle with plain water to rinse the machine. Clean your coffee maker once every week or two to remove rancid coffee oils, mold and other contaminants.
If you drink your coffee cold, think past just traditional cream and sugar. Mix entire fruits into your coffee. You can add foods like oranges, cherries and strawberries for interesting additions to the flavor. Even think about spicing things up with cinnamon or cardamom. The possibilities for you are nearly endless!
Do you need to exercise? You should drink a cup of strong coffee an hour before you go for your run or head to the gym. The caffeine will give you the energy you need to work out efficiently. However, it is very important that you drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout session.
If you are living alone, or are the only one in your family who drinks coffee, consider purchasing a single-serve coffee maker. Companies such as Keurig have created coffee makers that use a coffee pod, a single serving of coffee grounds in a small container that fits inside the machine. This type of coffee maker is also useful if you like to drink a different flavor of coffee each day.
After purchasing coffee it is important to properly store it for it to retain its freshness. If you will be using your coffee within a week, store it in an airtight plastic or glass container out of direct sunlight and away from heat. If it will be longer than a week before you will use it up, consider placing the coffee in the freezer.
To get the strongest cup of coffee, only grind your beans immediately before you brew them. While grinding is fun and fills your kitchen with the enticing aroma of fresh coffee, it also immediately releases the flavor of your beans, limiting their shelf life. To get the freshest brew every time, invest in a coffee machine that both grinds and brews.
Some people drink their coffee black, and prefer just the pure coffee flavor. Others add just creamer, and still others like their coffee with a flavored creamer. There are many different brands and flavors or creamers available. Some common holiday creamers are flavored with pumpkin spice for Thanksgiving, or peppermint for Christmas.
Avoid reheating your coffee at all costs. When you reheat your coffee, it tends to lose a lot of its natural flavors. If you do not plan on drinking your coffee right away, but you want to make sure it stays hot, your best bet is to pour it into an insulated mug.
When trying a new coffee, do not get a full-size bag of beans or ground coffee. Start small, no matter how much you think you will enjoy the new flavor. That will help you avoid having coffee around that you don’t drink because you bought it too hastily and don’t like it!
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.
If you have strong smells on your hands that will not come out, you should try wetting your hands and then scrubbing them with some used coffee grounds. They will absorb any odors on your hands and have them smelling fresh and clean in no time. Make sure that you rinse them well after you are done.
If you like iced coffee, keep a French press in the fridge at night. This will cool it down significantly before morning. If you use cold water to start, you will create fabulous flavor.
Proper measuring of the coffee grounds is necessary to produce the perfect cup of coffee. Measure two-level tablespoons of ground coffee for each cup of coffee you are brewing. A “cup” of coffee contains six ounces of water. If your coffee maker came with a scoop, check to see that it holds two tablespoons before using it.
Ask your favorite coffee shop how they make the coffee. This will of course give you some great ideas about brewing your own coffee, but make sure that you ask good questions. Ask about technique, but also ask where the coffee comes from and how it is grown and harvested. You want to make sure you’re having the best coffee, after all!
If you drink coffee a lot and want to save some money, consider signing up for a coffee subscription. You can get all kinds of discounts through these clubs. Additionally, a good club will send you beans only when you are running low. You won’t be stuck with stale coffee this way.
You surely realize you now have more choices available to you than you once thought. You’re probably tempted to go pick some up right now. Happy shopping, and make sure you remember the tips you’ve read here as you figure out your next purchase. Savor your next cup of coffee.