According to a study conducted by Gallup, about 64 percent of Americans consume at least one cup of coffee every day. While coffee is a widely consumed beverage, not everybody knows how to make the perfect coffee. If you want to take your coffee drinking experience to the highest level, it is essential that you follow these five rules.
1. Buy Fresh Specialty Beans
Coffee is best when it is used shortly after it is roasted. Roasting your own coffee beans or buying from a local roaster is the best way to get the freshest beans. Also, make sure the coffee you buy is of a high quality. Specialty coffee is generally richer and smoother than ordinary coffee, and it provides wonderful tasting experiences.
2. Keep Coffee Beans Fresh
Once you have opened your coffee beans, store them in an airtight glass canning jar or ceramic storage crock. Avoid refrigerating your roasted beans as they are porous and can easily take up moisture. Ideally, you should buy a five to seven-day supply of fresh coffee beans at a time and store them in room temperature.
3. Grind Your Own Coffee
Coffee begins to lose quality shortly after it is ground. The tastiest coffee is made from beans that are ground right before brewing. An expensive burr mill is the best tool for grinding coffee, but an electric grinder with a whirly blade can also do a serviceable job.
4. Do Not Skimp on the Coffee
To brew coffee of proper strength, you need to follow the standard measure of two level tablespoons for a six-ounce cup or 2 3/4 tablespoons for an eight-ounce cup. Avoid using hotter water and less coffee to get more cups per round, because it can result in a bitter brew.
5. Watch the Heat
If the water is too hot, it can extract bitter substances from the coffee and make the brew less pleasant. The ideal brewing temperature is 200 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately 45 seconds away from a full boil. Good coffee makers are usually able to regulate the temperature automatically. If you are making a cup of coffee from scratch without the use of an appliance, then you can use a water thermometer to check the temperature.
Following these coffee-making rules takes some getting used to, but it is definitely worth the effort. It can help you prevent unwanted bitterness and make a satisfying cup of coffee every time.
About the Author:
Sally Perkins is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She made the move to freelancing from a stressful corporate job and loves the work-life balance it offers her. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family and travelling as much as possible.
Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash.
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