Everyone enjoys a nice cup of joe every now and then, some more than others. However, with such a variety of different types and brewing methods out there, it is safe to say that not all coffee is created equal. Read the following article and learn how you can find the best coffee for your enjoyment.
If you are making your own coffee, stir it up in the pot shortly after brewing. Giving it a quick stir helps bring out the coffee's aroma and flavor. You'll notice how much better the coffee tastes when it's time to drink.
Coffee tastes much better if it is fresh brewed, and is actually lower in caffeine if consumed soon after it is made. Some people are particular about using only spring water or bottled water to make it, while others seem to think tap water works just fine for making good coffee.
If your coffee maker is old, brew a hot pot of plain water through the machine before brewing your coffee. Once you have a hot pot of water, add the grounds and pour your hot water back into the machine. That way, you'll get hot, rich brew.
While your coffee is brewing, try soaking the coffee mugs in hot water. A cold mug will cool off your drink before you can even get it to your lips! When the coffee is ready, simply dry off the mugs and serve. This trick will keep it hot much longer.
If you really want the freshest coffee with a gourmet taste, avoid pre-packaged coffee that sits on the grocer's shelves. Purchase your coffee beans directly from the roaster through their website. Most roaster's will have the coffee on your doorstep in just a couple days. This enables you to enjoy the beans when they are at their most flavorful.
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.
Invest in a good-quality coffee grinder. A good grinder grinds coffee beans efficiently and consistently to ensure even extraction. The reason for efficiency is to ensure that not much heat is generated during grinding. Too much heat being generated during the grinding process can negatively affect the taste of the coffee. .
Try using coffee when cooking meats. When you think of coffee in foods, you typically think of a flavor that is rather strong. In desserts, that's definitely true. But when you use coffee as a rub for red meat, it actually brings out the flavor of the meat itself, making for a much tastier meal.
Get used to cooler coffee if you have recently had a baby. Active infants usually need your hands on them pretty often to keep them safe and loved. Finishing a cup of coffee with a baby around can take a lot longer than you think, so find a way to live with room temperature coffee, or switch to an insulated mug.
Once you have opened your coffee, it is important that you store it properly. Conditions that are too hot or too cold could take away its flavor. Store coffee in a container that can be sealed tightly and keep it in a room that has room temperature. Keep it away from the stove!
Only store your coffee beans at room level temperatures. Coffee beans that get stored inside a cold appliance are going to attract and absorb both condensation and the aromas of nearby foods. The resulting flavor of the coffee is going to wind up reflecting this, and turn into substandard coffee.
The kind of coffee you enjoy drinking depends on the region in which is brewed. If you prefer coffee that has a mild flavor, go with coffees from Latin America countries, like Brazil. If you like those with an exotic taste, you should drink coffee from African or Asian countries.
If you like strong coffee, avoid using a coarse grind. This is one of the most common causes for people thinking their coffee is too weak. If you do not grind your own, you may discover that a darker roast will help you. Either way, you want to create coffee that you enjoy.
Don't drink coffee in the evening or at night. Unfortunately, the caffeine can be detrimental to your sleep plans. Try to avoid coffee after 3 p.m.
The size of your coffee grounds has a lot to do with the way your coffee tastes. A finer coffee grind will mean that more surface area of the bean is exposed to water while a coarser grind will mean less. No matter which grind you prefer, an even grind particle size is very important for a great cup of coffee.
Clean your coffee grinder with uncooked white rice. Add a couple of tablespoons of dry rice to your grinder and turn it on. When the rice is ground, empty the grinder and repeat until the rice no longer contains flecks of brown. The rice binds to the oils and coffee particles that cling to the grinder and can turn rancid.
Do not throw away those used coffee grounds once the pot is empty. You can use them to exfoliate your skin. Mix them with a small amount of olive oil and make a scrub for your skin. This will remove any dead skin cells and leave your skin nice and smooth.
If you are in the habit of drinking a couple cups of coffee every day, you should think twice about having it if you get pregnant. The effects of caffeine on your unborn baby may be harmful, especially if you drink it in the first trimester. It is best to cut out other caffeinated drinks also.
As you now know, there are a vast number of different types of coffee available to you. When you use the information given in the article above, you will allow yourself to discover and enjoy the type of coffee that suits you best. Just remember what you've read and enjoy!