Whether piping hot or iced in the summer, coffee is a beverage that has enjoyed extraordinary popularity for hundreds of years. The best way to become a true coffee expert is to take the time necessary to gain a strong knowledge base on the topic. Use the tips and information below, and you will soon be the resident coffee expert in your household.
No matter how attached you are to your favorite blend, don’t be afraid to try a new variety. You don’t need to invest in a large bag to try out something new. Almost all brands will offer a single pot or sampler size to allow you to try out new flavors.
If you are looking for a great way to turn basic, boring drip coffee into a special treat look no further than your own fridge and pantry. Hot chocolate mix or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be great ways to sweeten up a cup of coffee and make it something special.
Do not leave your coffee open any longer than necessary. While preparing your coffee, don’t open the can or bag until you are ready to scoop. Immediately after scooping, close the coffee container. This will keep your coffee fresher longer. It also keeps the flavor and aroma from evaporating in the air.
Brewing your own coffee at home can add up to huge savings when you compare it to the costs of going to a coffee shop every day. Invest in a good no-spill travel mug so that you don’t regret your decision. Use that expensive coffee as a way to treat yourself when you achieve one of your goals.
Be certain to buy coffee made from organically grown beans because these coffees do not contain pesticide. Coffee beans are very absorbent and tend to pick things up from the soil. Pesticides will affect the flavor of your coffee. So, organic coffee will taste better than anything else in most cases.
The variety of coffee types and flavors is endless. There are stronger coffees and there are milder coffees. You can even find coffees flavored anywhere from hazelnut to raspberry. Most coffee drinkers like to enhance their coffee with flavored creamers, instead of flavored coffee.
If you loved your coffee on ice, try cold-brewing your own coffee concentrated. There are many recipes available online; Most entail mixing a few cups of water into several ounces of ground coffee, allowing the mixture to sit overnight. When the grounds are strained out, you are left with a smooth, rich concentrate that can be diluted with milk or water and ice.
You don’t have to store your coffee in the freezer. Coffee picks up smells and flavors from other foods kept in the freezer. The best place to keep your coffee is in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. If you must freeze it, keep your coffee in a sealed bag.
When you get some coffee beans, put most of them away in an airtight container. Place the container in your freezer if you do not have a cool place to keep it. You should grind small quantities of beans, for instance enough to last you for a week. Experience with different grinding techniques if you want different flavors.
If you are used to an independent coffee house, then be careful when ordering in Starbucks. They have a very different language for their products, as part of their distinct branding. The Caramel Macchiato you love back home is not going to taste at all the same in a Starbucks while on the road.
When you are storing coffee, try not to store it in containers that are made out of glass. While there may seem to be airtight, the reality is that they are not, and a lot of air will be able to reach the coffee. This will negatively affect the taste.
Be sure to regularly clean out your coffee maker or pot. If you wait too long between cleanings, your coffee is more likely to have a foul taste and you may even find coffee grinds in it. A good rule of thumb is to clean it out at least once a week.
Get the best deals on your favorite coffee by finding and using coupons. When they are on sale, use the coupons to buy them at the best price. Many times, grocery stores will print out coupons for the items you purchase most often. This is a great way to save on your coffee budget.
When buying coffee, never buy in bulk. Buy enough coffee for the week and store at room temperature. Heat and light destroy the flavor of your coffee. If you have to, you can store your beans in an airtight container in the freezer, and they will last up to a month.
Buy new coffee beans every two weeks. Once you open coffee beans, they usually don’t have a set expiration date. You can seal them in airtight containers to keep them fresh longer. You will, however, likely find that the quality of the taste starts to fade a bit after two weeks.
Keep track of how much coffee you drink. Drinking coffee is a great way to get some energy and black coffee can help you keep your weight under control but drinking too much coffee can make you feel stressed and cause you to get a bad complexion. Avoid drinking more than three cups of coffee throughout your day.
You can use coffee to bring the shine back to hair that looks worn and dull. Brew some extra strong coffee then allow it to cool. Place it on hair that is clean and dry and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. After that, rinse your hair and style it as you normally would.
Though it comes in a dizzying array of varieties and can be made into a wide selection of custom beverages, coffee is considered by many to be a true staple. In order to develop into a coffee aficionado, a solid base of knowledge is critical. With any luck, the information above has provided you with just that.
