Getting the Best Out Of Your Coffee

Many people are under the misconception that all coffee tastes the same; this is not true. With the proper brewing techniques, you can uncover the true flavors of your gourmet coffee. Savor your coffee rather than rely on it for a caffeine boost! Coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities, not to mention one of the most consumed beverages in the world. One would think that with the abundance of coffee and coffee shops that well-brewed coffee would be easy to find; however, many people are not aware that they have never had a true cup of coffee. In fact, many people are under the misconception that coffee is bitter or even sour. We are here to tell you that it is not necessarily true. Well-prepared coffee can have flavors that range from chocolaty, citrusy, mildly spicy, and even floral without having been flavored. There are a number of reasons why coffee can be bitter or poor tasting. Poorly trained vendors, lack of knowledge, and uninformed customers are just a few. Coffee drinking should not be an unpleasant experience. Here are some things that you can do to get more than a caffeine boost from your morning cup of joe: Grind: Well-ground coffee beans are important to creating the perfect brew. If your coffee beans are too coarse, the resulting brew will be weak; if the coffee beans are too finely ground, the beans will be over extracted, resulting in a bitter brew. Once ground, coffee loses its essence more easily, so you should try to grind your coffee beans as close to the brew time as possible. Otherwise, order your coffee from a company that offers freshly roasted and ground coffee (like us!). Brewing procedure: The taste of your coffee is greatly affected by the way it is brewed. When brewing coffee, remember that the method should be adjusted according to the size of the grounds. When ordering, tell your barista how you’ll be brewing your coffee, so that they can grind your coffee to a consistency that best suits that method. Depending on your brewing method, your barista can also prescribe the amount of time that you should let your coffee brew. Water: Distilled or filtered water is not ideal for brewing coffee. Instead, opt for hard water to get the best out of your coffee. For every six ounces of water, it is recommended that you use 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee. Using too much coffee is wasteful, and using too little coffee will result in a flat or watered-down brew. Quantity: Since coffee begins to lose its flavor and freshness shortly after it is brewed, you should only brew as much coffee as you can immediately consume. Reheating or leaving your brewed coffee sitting for too long will negatively impact its flavor. Storing brewed coffee: Store leftover coffee in a thermos flask where you can keep the temperature at 180-185°F. Do not leave your brewed coffee on an electric burner for more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, it will develop a burnt taste. Treat yourself to an unforgettable coffee experience time and time again by adopting the correct brewing practices.  You'll love the improvement in the taste of your gourmet coffee!