MAKING GREAT COFFEE AT HOME
Are you a Starbucks regular who's
vowed to start saving money and making your own coffee at home instead? If so,
there are still a number of ways you can ensure you've made the perfect cup of
coffee, even by Starbucks standards.
No single technique is right for everyone; the method you
choose should be based on your needs and your unique coffee preferences. Do you
want a hearty mug of coffee for breakfast? An afternoon cappuccino? Or a
dessert espresso? Do you prefer a milder coffee or a more robust coffee flavor?
The brewing process will determine
the coarseness of the grind. All you've got to do is keep in mind those
important factors that affect the quality of your home brew.
1. Water: Source the best H2O you can find. Use
filtered water whenever possible.
2. Water Temperature During Brewing: Colder
water will result in flat, under-extracted coffee while water that is too hot
will also cause a loss of quality in the taste of the coffee. Let the
water come to a full boil, but do not overboil. Turn off the heat source and
allow the water to rest a minute before pouring it over the grounds.
3. Proportion: The general guideline is about
2 good tablespoons to 6 ounces of water (the usual coffee cup). Some said this equals
for a standard French press coffee.
Note: Once open stored your coffee in
an airtight container, finished it as soon as you can otherwise, just like
wine, they begin to oxidize.
4.
After Your Coffee Has Been Brewed: Pour it into a warmed mug or coffee cup so that it will maintain its
temperature as long as possible. Brewed coffee begins to lose its optimal taste
moments after brewing so only brew as much coffee as will be consumed
immediately. It should never be left on an electric burner for longer than 15
minutes because it will begin to develop a burned taste. If the coffee is not
to be served immediately after brewing, it should be poured into a warmed,
insulated thermos and used within the next 45 minutes.
Never reheat your coffee. Brewed coffee should be enjoyed immediately!
5.
Milk: Those who add a lot of
milk may wish to warm it gently first (hot milk will spoil the flavor of your
coffee), but if you're prepared to drink fast, cold milk will do the trick too.
Sugar: Brown sugar/caramel/rock sugar gives better taste than white
sugar
Salt
& Butter: If you like something different, may try to add pinch of salt
and little butter.
Some wish to add
nothing at all. Perfect is very personal.
A finely prepared cup
of coffee should be enjoyed as thoughtfully as it was brewed. Take a
moment to smell the aroma. Take a sip and notice your coffee's flavor. How does
it compare to other coffees with regard to body, acidity and balance? If
it is a coffee that is new to you, notice how it is different. If it is
what you normally drink, note its degree of freshness or how simple changes in
preparation affect the cup's flavor.
A steeping cup of coffee will not last long, but every sip is meant to be
savored and enjoyed!
No matter how you choose to brew your coffee, in
order to optimize the quality of every cup of coffee you prepare, fine-tune
your brewing routine by incorporating these suggestions.
