Friday, September 20, 2013

Everything You Need To Know About Coffee (and more)

Coffee beans are the most important element in a great cup of coffee. The choice of beans, as well as other factors, can make all the difference in the world. If you want to know everything there is to know about coffee beans, then you've come to the right article.

An air-tight container is a must if you buy your coffee in bulk. When overexposed to air, the beans will become stale and make your coffee taste bad. Don't use plastic or other types of bags that are not air-tight, even if the coffee was originally stored in it. Their only purpose is for letting air escape when they cool after roasting.

Do not reheat coffee after it has been brewed. Reheating doesn't release harmful chemicals; this is just a myth. Coffee compounds begin breaking down shortly after brewing, particularly if the coffee has been left to sit over heat. A bitter taste may result.

Does your coffee taste okay? Your coffee will taste better if you first let the machine brew just water while it heats up. When you have a pot of water heated up, brew again with coffee grounds. This can be a smart method for cleaning your machine.

If you work from home, then coffee can be your answer to cabin fever. Lots of coffee shops offer Wi-Fi for customer use, which allows you to bring your work along with you as you grab a beverage and get a change of scenery. Alternatively, many restaurants offer the same.

If you purchase coffee beans, do not store them in their original packaging if it has been opened. You need to put it in an air-tight container, and keep it away from light. This can increase the level of crispness and freshness that you experience.

Pesticide free coffee should be the only type of coffee you buy. Among all crops, coffee is one of the most absorbent. Its flavor is largely derived from the dirt it grew in. Organic coffee will usually have a much better flavor than non-organic coffee.

The coffee itself is obviously essential to the way your beverage will taste. Look at the choices in your community shops. You can usually find freshly roasted beans. If your area doesn't have any, check on the Internet. It will likely still be less expensive than going to a coffee shop.

You might want to think about buying a French press if you want coffee that has a stronger flavor. You will squeeze the coffee oil from the coffee bean using a French Press. With regular coffee machines, those flavor-rich oils tend to get absorbed by the paper filters.

Be sure you are putting the proper amount of water in your coffee maker. If you don't use enough water, your coffee is going to be very strong. Contrarily, if you use too much water, the coffee will be weak and watery. Two cups is the proper amount of water to add to your brew.

Do your palate a favor and avoid reheating coffee for later consumption. Keep extra coffee in a thermos that retains heat. If you do not have access to a thermos, brew a fresh pot of coffee.

You can froth milk without a high-powered machine to save time and money. Just put a mug of milk into the microwave and heat until it steams. After this is done, whisk your milk for about a minute. Continue this to make the milk foamy. Whole milk and cream will give you the best results.

Put some chocolate in your coffee for an interesting twist. Not only will this taste amazing, it can provide an extra boost to your normal cup of coffee. Try dark chocolate coffee for a boost of energy in the morning.

Don't pour hot coffee over ice to make iced coffee. This results in watery coffee. You should instead used brewed coffee to fill your ice cube trays. Once they freeze, remove them from the freezer so they can melt.

Is milk something you like putting in your coffee? You can use milk in several ways. While some people prefer using cold milk, warming of the milk or using a frother can give a different texture. Add flavored syrups like the coffee shops do, for a change you might just fall in love with.

If you find your coffee addiction is costing you an arm and a leg, sign up for a coffee club. You can save around a third off retail with these clubs. In addition, you can find a club that only sends beans when you need them. You won't be stuck with stale coffee this way.

Don't grind your coffee until it is ready to be used. Coffee will quickly lose it's flavor after it's ground. Your grinder should have a blade attached. Not only will you get a better yield, you will also get grinds that are less powdery (powdered grinds can taste unsavory or bitter).

Skip the flavored or pre-packaged coffee beans. Pre-flavored beans are flavored by being sprayed with oils. These really gunk up your grinder and coffee maker. Over time, this can build up and make your coffee taste odd. Use separate flavors, fresh ones, instead of coffee with the flavors already put in. Syrups can be used for flavoring as well.

In order to create delicious coffee, purchase your own beans and grind them yourself. Using freshly ground coffee adds so much to the flavor of your morning cup of joe. Your local store has lots of different kinds. It would take a long time to try all of the ones there.

Take quick action and move your pot away when it is finished to retain the flavor. Coffee allowed to cook on hot burners will scald as soon as within 20 minutes, and that will make a bitter and flat brew.

Now that you are more aware of coffee and it's properties, go out and get some. You can not make coffee without coffee beans, so start paying more attention to the kind you get. This article will teach you to brew a more enjoyable cup of coffee.






Thursday, September 19, 2013

Let's Make AWESOME Coffee - Here's How

Achieving great tasting coffee at home can be difficult. A few tips are all it takes to perfect your coffee making skills. Never suffer through a bad tasting cup of coffee again.

The higher the price, the higher the quality you receive. You will really get your money's worth in the world of coffee, and therefore it makes sense to purchase top-quality equipment and beans if you truly want great brews. If you opt for the cheaper alternative, you will constantly be disappointed.

Do you want to impress your guests? You should try decorating the lattes you make by yourself. With just a bit of practice, you will be able to impress your guests by creating basic flowers or leaves. Also, you can practice to become skilled in doing this.

Those of you who work from home can turn to coffee to get rid of cabin fever. Generally, these places have WiFi access and human interaction so you can work there and have our coffee. Restaurants are also good options for escaping the confines of your home office.

Many things can go in the freezer to help them last a long time, but remember that coffee should only stay there for three months or less. If you keep the coffee frozen for a longer period of time, the quality will deteriorate.

Test out your coffee maker before actually brewing any coffee. This simply means that you should run water through the machine as though you were indeed brewing coffee. That way, any dirt and dust it may have accumulated while sitting on the store's shelf will be removed.

If you have an old coffee machine and you want to achieve the best flavor, brew some hot water before you brew coffee. Once you have a hot pot of water, add the grounds and pour your hot water back into the machine. This method guarantees that the coffee you serve will be piping hot and taste great.

Your drink will taste like coffee. Find top quality beans around your local stores to optimize quality. You may be able to find beans that are freshly roasted. If your area doesn't have any, check on the Internet. While doing so may be a little pricey, you won't spend much more than you would if you bought a cup at a coffee store.

There are several options that you can use to limit the sugar in your coffee. There is sugar content in agave nectar, which does not have a negative effect on the blood sugar levels of a diabetic. Stevia and Splenda also work well to sweeten coffee.

If you want strong coffee that tastes great, a French Press is good for that. The French press squeezes more oils from the beans. Filters have a tendency of removing those oils that are rich in flavor.

Where the beans originated is a big factor on the taste of coffee. Experiment with different blends and brands for new flavors. Try not to let price be the sole deciding factor. If a pricier coffee is stronger than what you normally buy it will last longer, saving you money.

Make sure you use the proper mix of water and coffee grounds to make the right number of cups of coffee. Standard measuring cups hold eight ounces of liquid, but traditional coffee cups max out at six. Two tablespoons of coffee to a coffee cup is the typical coffee to water ratio. If you use an eight ounce measuring cup for every two tablespoons of coffee, it will taste weak.

Cold water should always be utilized when making coffee in a drip brewer. Hot water should never be used in these kinds of brewers. Water is usually heated during the brewing process, which can lead to burning. Brewing coffee with hot water is sure to result in burnt grounds. This will cause your coffee to be bitter and could also be a safety hazard.

Your pantry holds a variety of coffee sweeteners that you have probably never thought of using before. Brown and raw sugars add distinctive flavors compared to plain white sugar. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, vanilla and other flavor extracts mingle well with the taste of coffee, too. You can also use rice, almond milks, and flavored soy rather than milk or creamers.

To keep the flavor of a freshly brewed carafe of coffee, pull it off the burner after no more than ten minutes. Coffee starts burning if it sits on heat longer than that, resulting in a bitter flavor. If you want your coffee hot, pour it into a thermos that will retain the heat.

Ask family and friends for suggestions. There are various blends available that you haven't had, but your loved ones may have tried them. Ask them what's good and what they drink. If you're lucky, they will offer you an invitation to sample their favorite in their home, so you will get a free cup as well!

When you have finished brewing your coffee make sure to remove the pot from the coffee machine. Leaving the carafe on the machine's burner allows the coffee to keep heating, which tends to damage its flavor. If it is not possible to use all of the coffee prior to it cooling down, pour it into a carafe or insulated jug to maintain heat.

Don't pour extra coffee down the drain; freeze it into cubes instead. Use these coffee cubes in iced coffee to prevent your drink from tasting watery and bland as the ice melts. They are also great for cocktails and for cooling piping hot coffee.

Use salt to temper coffee with an acidic flavor. Take care not to use too much, however. You just need a little. Sea salt gives the best results and it is natural.

If you are a coffee lover, you know how hard it is to swallow a sub-par brew. Spare yourself the indignity of drinking sub-par coffee by using everything you've just read. Simply apply these tips in order to make each cup a tasty one.

See some great coffee makers for less than 50 bucks right here.




Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Great Coffee Brewing Advice Anyone Can Use!

For a long time, people everywhere have chosen to drink coffee in the morning. The taste, flavor and aroma are quite enticing. If you want perfection in your brewed or steamed coffee, then you must take the time to learn as much as you can. The following tips can give you that knowledge you crave.

You will get a better coffee the more expensive it is. Investing in a good coffee maker machine and fresh beans will give you the best results. If you are cheap about it, you will never be satisfied with your coffee, but you CAN get some amazing coffee makers for less than $50 here.

Do not heat coffee that has been previously brewed. It isn't harmful, but it tastes nasty. Within 30 minutes of making coffee, the compounds start breaking down. It commonly becomes bitter and overly strong.

Are you happy with the coffee made with your drip coffee maker? Run a pot of water through your coffee pot before making any. When it's heated the full cup of water, you may begin again with the grounds. You can also clean your coffee maker this way.

Many things can go in the freezer to help them last a long time, but remember that coffee should only stay there for three months or less. The quality of the coffee will begin to deteriorate if you keep in in the freezer for too long.

For the best results from an older coffee maker, first brew some hot water before you make any coffee. When you have a pot of hot water, put in the coffee grounds, and pour the hot water back in the machine. This way, you can make sure that the water is hot and the coffee is flavorful.

Good coffee requires using water that is of higher quality. Think about using bottled water. You might not want to spend the money on water, but this will affect your coffee's taste. As an alternative to using bottled water, you could purchase a purifier that attaches to your faucet. You will not get the same taste as bottled but it will be better than tap water.

The coffee plays a big part in how the beverage is going to taste overall. Shop the selections at several local stores. It is easy to get fresh roasted beans. You may have to buy them online. You might pay a little more but it will not be as much as a coffee shop.

Use the correct amount of water when making coffee. If you don't use enough water, your coffee is going to be very strong. But, using too much liquid results in weak, watery coffee. One trick to making coffee the right strength is that you should always adjust the amount of coffee grounds based on how much water you are using.

You might get a different taste from coffee beans that were grown in different parts of the world. Experiment with different blends and brands for new flavors. Prices shouldn't influence your choice since you may boost energy more with one blend. This would cause you to drink less than a weaker blend.

Froth your own milk for coffee without an expensive machine. All you need to do is put it in a measuring cup or microwave-safe mug and heat it up until it steams. After heating, set the whisk down into the cup of milk, and then repeatedly and rapidly roll the whisk between your palms to whisk the coffee. Stop when the milk reaches a foamy consistency. Avoid using skim milk for this.

Decide how many cups of coffee you wish to brew. Regular coffee cups hold about six ounces, while measuring cups usually hold about eight. The best ratio of water to ground coffee is a pair of tablespoons of grounds with six ounces of liquid. Avoid a measuring cup unless you want watered down coffee.

Wait until the entire pot of coffee is finished brewing before pouring your first cup even if your machine has a pause function. Some coffee machines allow you to, but it won't be a good cup of coffee. Think about getting one that has a timer. If you do this, your coffee will be all ready when you get up in the morning.

If you make your own iced coffee, avoid just pouring hot coffee over ice. This will dilute the coffee. A better way to make iced coffee is to freeze coffee as you would ice cubes and use those instead. Once they're frozen, take out the ice trays and let them melt.

Drive-through's are a great way for frazzled moms to enjoy some coffee if they are too busy to brew coffee at home. Since driving tends to relax babies, a quick trip to the coffee shop will be a nice escape for both of you.

Artificial sweeteners may not be improving the taste of your coffee as much as you think. These sweeteners can change your coffee's flavor and cause it to taste bland. You can try drinking black coffee, or just add a little bit of raw sugar to give it a better flavor. Use only half a pack of sweetener if you must.

Make your coffee with charcoal filtered water. It is easy to buy charcoal filters made for your kitchen faucet. Another possibility is buying a coffee maker which has its own filter. Supermarkets and mass merchandisers also sell water filters.

Once the coffee is finished brewing, remove the urn from the brewer. By leaving the pot in, the coffee will continue to brew. This can ruin the flavor. Transfer the coffee into a container that's insulated so you can keep it hot.

If iced coffee is your beverage of choice, then think about putting your French press in your refrigerator over night. This will cool it down significantly before morning. By doing this and using fresh, cold water, your coffee will taste great.

As mentioned earlier, coffee is immensely popular across the globe. The taste and aroma of coffee are enough to make people continuously drink it. When you have just a little know-how, you can make the coffee that you love every time you drink it. Just use the tips provided next time you make coffee.




Sunday, September 15, 2013

Coffee Makers Under $50? Here's the Best Rated

So while I'm gathering all my notes and thoughts about coffee makers, I'd thought I'd share this resource with you that I found.

It has links and info to resources to help you find the best rated coffee maker for under $50.

I know 50 dollars is about the max many people are willing to spend on a home coffee maker and even tho *I* am more than willing to spend more than that, I figured this would be a really good starting point to compare coffee makers and read other people's feedback and reviews, etc.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to coffee makers, you usually get what you pay for.  I use my beloved coffee maker every single day so that's why I invest more into one than others that only use it once in a while do.



note: you can click any link or coffee maker image in that slide show thing above....







Coffee Makers - Super Exciting, Right?

I know that home appliances like coffee makers don't sound that exciting to most people, but for ME, oh yeah - super exciting.

First off, I LOVE me some coffee and when the ol' coffee maker breaks...well, it's a really bad day in this house!

I realized that in all my travels trying to find the best coffee maker for ME that I uncovered a lot of info and insight about coffee makers in general.  I've used a LOT of various coffee makers and read a TON of reviews - so why not share my condensed version of all that I've learned about the oh so exciting topic of coffee makers.

And that's what I plan to do here.

Thanks for stopping by!