Coffee is personal and the ideal way to enjoy it depends on what you like about it most.
It is true that mastering certain fundamentals will help you perfect your technique. In this article, we invite you to test different roasts, origins, or methods of preparation.
Here are our top tips on how to prepare traditional cups of coffee.
The Equipment
Make sure that your tools such as bean grinders and filters to coffee makers are cleaned thoroughly at the end of each use.
Rinse with clean, hot water (or wipe clean), and dry using an absorbent towel. It is important to ensure that there are no leftover grounds to collect and that there’s no accumulation of coffee oil (caffeoyl) that could cause coffee to taste bitter and rancid.
The Beans
A great cup of coffee begins with good beans you can order coffee online and find the perfect bean for you. The quality and flavor of your coffee are not solely determined by the brewing method you prefer. procedure for brewing, but by the type of coffee you select.
Some of the flavors include:
- The region and country of origin
- The variety of beans available – robusta, arabica – or a blend
- The roast type
- Your grind’s texture
While there’s a myriad of options, remember that there’s no right and wrong. For instance, it is possible to choose an espresso with a rich, dark flavor roast coffee and still have it ground to be brewed in a drip system. Have fun trying and enjoying the various flavors.
The Grind
If you buy beans that are whole, you must grind the beans just prior to the brewing time to ensure maximum freshness. A mill grinder or burr is ideal since the coffee is ground in a consistent manner.
A blade grinder isn’t recommended because certain beans will be ground more finely than others. If you typically grind coffee in your home with a blade grinder, consider making it grind at the market using the burr grinder. You’ll be surprised at the difference! (Whichever option you decide to use be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the grinder and take note of any safety issues that need to be considered.)
The size of the grind is extremely important for the flavor of the coffee you drink. If your coffee is bitter it could be due to over-extraction or ground too fine. On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be under-extracted. This means that the grind isn’t as fine.
The Water
The water you use is very important to the quality of your coffee. Choose bottled or filtered water if your tap water isn’t good, or has a strong odor or taste. This could be due to chlorine.
If you’re using tap water, allow it to run briefly before filling your coffee pot, and be sure to use cold water. Avoid softened or distilled water.