Ah, coffee! There is nothing like the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee wafting through the house. However, even if you start off every day with a cup of joe, there is always more to learn about this amazing beverage. Keep reading to learn something new about coffee.
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.
Try adding spices to your coffee grounds to create your own “artisan” flavors. Think about things you would add to chocolate if you are having trouble deciding what to try. Start with simple things like cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also do things like adding a little vanilla abstract to your cup to enrich the flavor of your coffee.
The varieties of coffee beans to choose from can be mind-boggling. Dark roast provides a fuller flavor while lighter roasts provide a milder, smoother flavor. There are also flavored coffees, including raspberry and hazelnut. A lot of people like to add the flavoring by way of a creamer once the coffee has been brewed instead.
Make sure you are patient whenever you are creating lattes. The best lattes are those that are created with due care. Be careful when pouring the milk, and use extreme caution when creating the design. Don’t just rush into it, and if you need some ideas on designs, check out Flickr.
Fresh coffee beans taste better than anything you can buy in stores. Did you know you could roast your own beans and enjoy fresh coffee every day? You can easily roast your own beans by placing them in your oven or using a heat gun. Buy some cheap beans to practice.
If you grind your own coffee, be sure to only grind the amount you will be using that day. If you grind too much and just leave your coffee around, the elements will take the freshness and taste of it. Contrary to what many believe, storing coffee in the refrigerator does not leave it fresh.
In order to store coffee, you don’t need to use a freezer. In actuality, leaving coffee in the fridge may cause it to attract the scents of other foods. An optimal spot for storing coffee is a non-translucent container that is air tight. If you must freeze it, or even refrigerate it, make sure it goes into a well sealed freezer bag.
If you are buying coffee from a drive-in window, always error on the side of caution to stay as protected as possible. Typically, when you are buying coffee in this form, it will be piping hot, as you will not want to burn your hands or other areas of your body.
If you brew a large pot of coffee that will not be consumed quickly, take it off of the burner. Place it into a pre-heated storage device. When coffee is left on the burner, the taste will deteriorate quickly. A nice carafe or other storage device will eliminate this concern.
You should never reheat coffee, as it will just burn the beverage and taste far worse than being cold. Instead, know when you will have your coffee for more than 20 minutes. Have an insulated mug or a thermal carafe handy for these occasions to retain the original heat and warmth.
When adding syrup to your coffee, add it to hot coffee before you add anything else. After pouring a cup of hot coffee, add the syrup before adding other items like cream or milk. The heat from the coffee helps the syrup dissolve quicker. This helps boost the overall flavor and smell of your coffee.
For a summertime treat, create coffee ice cubes. Fill up a tray with a bit of leftover coffee and freeze them for that special occasion. When you are creating the perfect iced coffee, you now be ready with the perfect ice cube too! These ice cubes won’t water down your coffee which will keep the flavors going for much longer.
Packaging is important when it comes to coffee. It you buy coffee beans, pay attention to the packaging they come in. Make sure you buy beans with quality packaging. Also pay attention to how long it took to package these beans and how long they’ve been sitting on a shelf. Little facts like these can make a big difference in taste.
If you want to brew your own espresso, you need to use beans that have been finely ground. You can also use this grind in your regular drip brewer if you like really strong coffee. A good grinder will allow you to control the consistency to suit your preferences.
A clean coffee maker is a great coffee maker. If your coffee maker is not cleaned on a weekly basis, your coffee will suffer. Use a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water to run through the coffee makers system to flush out any dirt and contaminants that could influence the taste of your coffee.
Charcoal filters are great for home brewing. You can install a charcoal filter for your faucet so your tap water will be filtered through charcoal. You can also buy coffee makers that have their own filter. Or, it is possible to buy water that has already been charcoal filtered.
Don’t use the same coffee all the time. There are different blends that you can purchase, so look into them. If you like different flavors, you should buy different blends and store your coffee grounds or beans fresh in your freezer to keep them fresh.
Coffee is the fuel that keeps you going through a long, hard day, but you may not have realized just how amazing coffee can be. Now that you have read this article, you should have a new appreciation for this remarkable drink. The next time you are enjoying a pot of coffee, think back on this article.
