Coffee

Nothing is better than sitting down with a perfectly made cup of your favorite coffee. These days you can make that cup of Joe in many different ways. The key is to know how to brew that perfect cup.

Brewing (drip machines)

A drip machine is the most common coffee maker out there, it is quick and easy to use. In order to get that perfect cup of java here are few tips.

1. Buy the right filters. There are many types of filters and often it will say right in the owner’s manual of your coffee maker which filter and the corresponding number to purchase. You can get away with other filters but the quality of the coffee will not be as good as it could be with the right filter.

2. Coffee to Water Ratio: This depends a great deal on how strong you enjoy your coffee. For light coffee drinkers keeping the water to coffee ratio even is best. For those that like their coffee on the stronger side adding an extra spoon or two of coffee is the solution.

3. The right spoon: Most coffees (Folgers is a good one) comes with a scooping spoon. You can also buy these for very cheap at most retail stores. They will help with measuring the correct amount of coffee. Most drip makers are marked on the carafe with how many cups you can make. One spoon to one cup is average, six cups then six spoonfuls. If you do not have the fancy coffee spoon then the average one leveled tablespoon per cup is best.

4. Flavored Coffees: If you are looking for that Irish Cream or vanilla flavored coffee stop the hunt now. Flavored coffees you find in the grocery stores are usually the below average coffee over flavored to hide the chemical fumes that have seeped in during transport. Since the coffee used in the flavored coffees are not a high grade they are transported poorly. If you really want a good flavored cup of coffee you can buy flavor oils and flavor your own individual cup after the coffee is poured.

Another alternative to flavoring coffee is spice it up! Use a combo of a pinch of cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg, and a pinch of all spice throw that right into the coffee grinds before you place it in the filter. Then let the coffee brew with all those spices and you will be delighted at the taste. Also just cinnamon is nice too.

5. Instant: When making instant remember one teaspoon of coffee per cup of water.

6. Sugar and cream please: sugar and cream are what adds the calories in a cup of coffee for alternatives consider honey and skim milk.

Tip: When brewing coffee add a pinch of salt to the coffee and mix before adding the grinds to the filter this will greatly decrease the bitter taste of the coffee.

Coffee can be a soothing an exhilarating addition to life but only when made correctly, everyone knows the horrible taste of a bitter badly made cup of coffee is not the best way to start the day. These tips will serve you well on your next coffee making endeavor.

Terry Loves Coffee so much that he has a blog all about valve coffee bags and others! Check it out at http://bestcoffeebags.com

Author: Terry Coal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When brewing gourmet coffee, it’s essential to combine several factors that will make your cup of coffee a dreamy blend of flavor. Gourmet coffee is in and of itself delicious, but it’s even better when made a certain way.

Before getting started, be sure to select only the finest gourmet coffee beans. Look for your favorite brand of coffee or sample several new types of coffee. If you visit an online gourmet coffee retailer, you can try numerous types of imported coffee beans from places around the world such as South America, Central America, Africa, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the North Highlands. You can also save money by finding an online store that offers high quality discount coffee beans. Determine how you will order your coffee – whether you would like ground coffee or whole bean selections. Many retailers allow you to order gourmet coffee both ways.

Brew with the Right Kind of Water

The type of water you use to brew gourmet coffee can make all the difference in its flavor. Tap water that has a strong, unpleasant smell or taste can negatively affect your coffee’s flavor. Keep in mind that your taste buds will be more sensitive when drinking a hot beverage such as coffee, so you’ll be able to detect any unpleasant impurities caused by your water. Opt for bottled waters instead, but avoid distilled water, as it doesn’t have the appropriate level of dissolved mineral solids, which are needed to give the coffee a fresh taste.

Even with the right quality of water, be sure to measure your coffee/water ratio appropriately. For optimum results, use two tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water (or 3/4 cup water). This ratio produces strong, rich gourmet coffee while using only one tablespoon will produce weaker coffee. Another way to reduce the coffee’s strength is to dilute the coffee with a little bit of water after it has been brewed.

Order Fresh Coffee Beans

Whether ordering gourmet coffee online or buying in a nearby store, make sure the coffee has been freshly roasted. The absolute best time to produce coffee is within 12 to 24 hours of being roasted. Some online coffee roasters will ship your coffee beans on the same day the beans are roasted, giving you ultimate freshness. If you plan to grind your own beans, be sure to wait until right before you plan to brew the coffee. The freshness of coffee beans will start to decrease once the coffee beans have been ground.

Grinding Your Own Gourmet Coffee Beans

How you grind coffee beans will also make a difference in the coffee’s excellence. It’s important to know what type of grind you’ll need, whether a finer or coarser grind. A fine grind works best with the drip brewing method, while a coarse grind works well if using a French press. If you want a fine grind, then a common inexpensive blade grinder will suffice. With French press brewing, use a burr grinder.

Gourmet coffee also tastes best when brewed using clean equipment. Coffee makers can build up minerals, oils and residue over time. These will taint your coffee flavor and strength as well as hinder how well your equipment functions. Look for cleaning brushes and safe solutions for your coffee maker, and clean it often if you brew frequently.

When shopping online for gourmet coffee, be sure to try all a roaster has to offer. There are many flavored coffees today including chocolate blends, hazelnut, banana nut fudge, pecan, raspberry almond, cinnamon, vanilla, cookies and cream, creme brulee, English caramel, ginger bread, English toffee, etc. You should also try some espresso blends such as Italian espresso, Spanish espresso, and Vienna roast blend. Go online today to discover the gourmet coffee that excites your taste buds. You’ll never return to mundane coffee once you’ve tasted the best!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Make Delicious Gourmet Coffee.

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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