If you’re a coffee lover, you very likely already know that not all coffee is created equal. A bad cup of coffee can leave you in a funk for the entire day. Burnt or stale coffee tastes worse than almost anything. So what can you do to ensure that you will make a great cup of coffee every time? Read on to learn more about what it takes to guarantee a great cup of coffee.
The first thing you should consider when making coffee is the quality of your coffee beans or coffee grinds. Whether you decide to purchase ground coffee crystals, or you choose to purchase a coffee grinder and cultivate your own coffee grinds, the quality of coffee you choose is the primary factor in the flavor of coffee you make. If you use cheap or poor quality coffee beans, it is almost guaranteed that your coffee will not be as flavorful as you’d like. However, choosing high-quality coffee beans does not mean spending an arm and a leg. It is possible to find inexpensive, high-quality coffee beans through a wide variety of sources. Your best bet is to search for high-quality coffee beans online.
The next priority on your list should be your coffee maker of choice. Whether you choose the standard drip coffeemaker, one with timers, bells, whistles, digital clocks, and all the rest of the gizmos that technology has afforded us today, or you prefer a good old-fashioned mocha pot, the quality of your coffee will only be as good as the quality of your maker.
You will also find that using filtered fresh water makes a difference in the flavor of your coffee. Straight tap water is filled with chlorine and other additives that can change the flavor of a coffee brew. However, if you filter your water or use a filtering pitcher, you’ll find that your coffee tastes clean, fresh, and flavorful with every sip.
Your coffee accessories will also play a big part in the flavor of your coffee. If it is your choice to use syrups and creams, you should note that the flavor of your coffee will be altered by the quality of product you’ve chosen. Do your best to taste your cream, syrups, and any other additives you plan to use in your coffee before you purchase them.
It is possible to guarantee a great cup of coffee every time. Remember, your coffee is only as good as the ingredients therein. That means choosing high-quality coffee beans or quality coffee crystals each and every time. You’ll find that by prioritizing your coffee purchases, your coffee flavor will improve dramatically.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Coffee Tasting - Do it Right
Did you know that tasting coffee is an art form? Much like wine tasting, coffee tasting is a great way to determine the varying characteristics and complexities that distinguish one coffee from another. Once you have learned how to identify these varying characteristics, you will be able to ensure that you never again have a ‘bad’ cup of coffee!
First of all, for the most accurate coffee tasting, start with coffee beans that you will grind yourself. Because you will only taste coffee to determine whether or not you prefer a particular brand or flavor, you will only need a couple handfuls of coffee beans for your initial tasting. Consider purchasing a variety of beans in order to give yourself a broad flavor selection.
Your next step will be to grind your first selection of fresh coffee beans to a medium consistency. The grounds should be coarse and not too powdery, but should not be left to ‘chunky’ either. Once you’ve completed the grinding process, stick your nose over your grounds and inhale deeply. Take note of the fragrance of the coffee and, if to your liking, make a note.
You will next measure about two tablespoons of your fresh beans into a coffee cup, and pour about 6 ounces of boiling water into the cup with the fresh grounds. Allow the coffee to steep (sit and ‘percolate’) for at least two minutes. You will notice that the grounds in the bottom of the cup have formed a crust. Using your tablespoon, push the grounds to the back of the cup.
You will then hold your nose over the cup and inhale deeply once again. Take note of the scent and determine if it’s different from your initial assessment. Again, jot down anything you like or dislike about the fragrance.
Finally, it’s time to take a sip. Slurp up enough coffee to fill your mouth, as if you were ‘gulping’. Just be sure not to take in too much, you should be comfortable. And by all means, be careful not to burn yourself. After you’ve filled your mouth, swish the coffee back and forth, make sure it coats every surface of your mouth (tongue, cheeks, and roof). Breathe deeply through your nose as you complete this process, and then spit the coffee into a different receptacle. Be sure to take note of the coffee’s after taste and jot down anything of significance.
Rinse your mouth with some water with a little lemon juice, and move on to the next bean variety. After you’ve ‘tasted’ each of your selected coffees, you can review your notes and choose your favorite. This process may seem painstaking, but for the true coffee lover, it’s more fun than anything else. It’s also a small price to pay to ensure that you always enjoy a great cup of coffee!
First of all, for the most accurate coffee tasting, start with coffee beans that you will grind yourself. Because you will only taste coffee to determine whether or not you prefer a particular brand or flavor, you will only need a couple handfuls of coffee beans for your initial tasting. Consider purchasing a variety of beans in order to give yourself a broad flavor selection.
Your next step will be to grind your first selection of fresh coffee beans to a medium consistency. The grounds should be coarse and not too powdery, but should not be left to ‘chunky’ either. Once you’ve completed the grinding process, stick your nose over your grounds and inhale deeply. Take note of the fragrance of the coffee and, if to your liking, make a note.
You will next measure about two tablespoons of your fresh beans into a coffee cup, and pour about 6 ounces of boiling water into the cup with the fresh grounds. Allow the coffee to steep (sit and ‘percolate’) for at least two minutes. You will notice that the grounds in the bottom of the cup have formed a crust. Using your tablespoon, push the grounds to the back of the cup.
You will then hold your nose over the cup and inhale deeply once again. Take note of the scent and determine if it’s different from your initial assessment. Again, jot down anything you like or dislike about the fragrance.
Finally, it’s time to take a sip. Slurp up enough coffee to fill your mouth, as if you were ‘gulping’. Just be sure not to take in too much, you should be comfortable. And by all means, be careful not to burn yourself. After you’ve filled your mouth, swish the coffee back and forth, make sure it coats every surface of your mouth (tongue, cheeks, and roof). Breathe deeply through your nose as you complete this process, and then spit the coffee into a different receptacle. Be sure to take note of the coffee’s after taste and jot down anything of significance.
Rinse your mouth with some water with a little lemon juice, and move on to the next bean variety. After you’ve ‘tasted’ each of your selected coffees, you can review your notes and choose your favorite. This process may seem painstaking, but for the true coffee lover, it’s more fun than anything else. It’s also a small price to pay to ensure that you always enjoy a great cup of coffee!
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