Coffee

Iced coffee has become an increasingly popular beverage choice in recent years. The transformation of a hot cup of coffee into a sweet iced drink makes for a refreshing afternoon treat on those hot summer days. The problem is, iced coffee drinks in most coffee shops are expensive and the cost can add up quick. Luckily, you can learn how to make homemade iced coffee like a pro without having to step into a coffee shop.

There are a few approaches on how to make homemade iced coffee, but frankly, most of them are not very good. The standard approach of brewing a pot of coffee, pouring it over ice, and adding a little milk and sugar, results in a lukewarm, watered-down coffee with no strength. Here is the best way to make homemade iced coffee like a pro.

Start off Strong

The first thing to do is brew up a large pot of coffee just as you normally would. The only difference is that you want to make the coffee stronger than normal. Since it will be watered down, we need to compensate and start stronger initially to maintain the coffee’s strength and flavor. If you typically use one tablespoon per cup, you will want to use about one and a half tablespoons per cup for your iced coffee.

Sweeten the Pot

Most people will add sugar or sweetener after the coffee has cooled. This is a big no-no as sugar does not dissolve in water. So instead, while the coffee still hot, stir in your desired amount of sugar. You will want to add a little more sugar than you normally would to a hot cup of coffee. There are a few other options to sweeten your iced coffee that work just as well as sugar. You can use sweetened condensed milk in place of sugar which works very well. Another option is to use flavored syrups which come in a variety of flavors perfect for iced coffee like mocha, vanilla, and irish cream.

Ice Comes Later

If you really want to learn how to make homemade iced coffee, be sure to avoid the biggest mistake people make when making homemade iced coffee. This mistake is to pour the hot coffee directly over ice. This will water the coffee down too much, and leave you with a weak and flavorless iced coffee. What you want to do is put the hot batch of coffee into the refrigerator and let it cool overnight. Do not add the hot pot of coffee directly into the fridge, as it could crack. First, add it to a pitcher or carafe. This requires some patience, so make sure to plan ahead.

Once your batch of iced coffee has cooled over night, it is ready to be served. Pour the cooled coffee over a lot of ice and add a little milk or cream. Stir the mixture very well and enjoy your refreshing homemade iced coffee!

Jeff Plante is a coffee lover who runs a website with more helpful tips on making Iced Coffee. Check out http://www.CoffeeBargains.net for more great coffee information, and to find great deals and bargains on all types of coffee products.

Coffee Bean Roaster

Author: Jeff Plante
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

Flavored Gourmet Coffee Beans

Coffee tastes great by itself, but for an extra special taste sensation, try gourmet flavored coffee. Some of the newest gourmet flavored coffee includes vanilla, macadamia, and even peanut butter. Other flavored coffees include French Vanilla, Toasted Almond, Cookies and Crème, and Hazelnut.

Flavored coffee is usually sprayed immediately after roasting for the best absorption of flavor. When choosing flavored coffees, be sure the flavoring is natural and not a chemical.

The higher grown the coffee plant the better flavored coffee bean you’ll get. The sooner you grind the bean and make the coffee, the fresher and tastier will be the coffee. However, vacuum sealing and freezer storage can slow down this process to some degree, giving you 6-8 weeks at the most to enjoy a real full flavored cup of coffee.

It is hard to beat a good gourmet flavored coffee bean. Whether you like flavored or natural, whole beans or ground, dark or light, smooth or robust, the coffee industry will surely provide you with a coffee bean that will tantalize your sense and keep you coming back for more.

Flavored Syrups and Creamers

Another important addition to the coffee world has been the addition of many flavored syrups and flavored creamers to add to your coffee. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. There are a host of coffee flavors and different flavored creamers or syrups.

There is a wide range of flavored syrups, including vanilla flavored coffee syrups and chocolate flavored coffee syrups. Don’t be fooled, though, by blends that are actually mixed with low-quality beans and flavored coffees made with low-quality coffee that is given a new flavor to hide its bitter taste.

Many coffee shops such as Starbucks now offer a wide assortment of flavored syrups and creamers. Go ahead; explore; sit back; examine the phenomenon of custom flavored coffee.

The first time you visit a Starbucks and struggle to decide on what you want to try, it can seem a bit daunting. With so many different flavors, syrups, creamers, and blends, it can seem impossible to make a decision.

Yet it’s worth the effort. With such a vast selection you can have a seemingly infinite number of different flavors to try as you create different blends.

Not only do these flavorings add a variety of new tastes, but these flavored coffee beans also add a whole new robust aroma. Flavored coffee products specialize in the customization of coffee and coffee related products to the awaiting consumer. And whether you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or just want something different, flavored coffee syrups put a great kick into any drink.

Discover how to make a better cup of coffee at http://www.coffeeloversportal.com where sisters Carol and Barbara share their secrets. They have developed this site especially for coffee lovers who are searching for the ultimate coffee tasting experience.

Author: Carol Stack
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology