Making better-tasting coffee not only requires the ability to set timers properly (on traditional coffee pots), but also dedication in selecting the right beans and understanding the brewing process. If you want your coffee to taste better there are a few methods to go about doing so, allowing you to maximize the flavor of any type of bean you prefer, whether it is already grounded or if you plan to use a coffee bean grinder yourself before brewing.
Choosing the Right Coffee Beans
With the myriad of coffee bean choices that range from organically grown to imported to already-grounded, it’s essential to know how to choose the right coffee beans without losing flavor, taste, and freshness. Although it is possible to purchase ground coffee from just about any supermarket, be sure to check for an expiration date–as many coffees last about 9 months on the shelves, and may turn out to taste dull and without flavor. Purchasing from a local brewery or coffee supplier and grinding your own beans that you know are fresh is a way to get the most out of your money spent while enjoying all of the flavors the coffee has to offer.
Properly Storing Coffee
When coffee beans are exposed to the air they become oxidized and have the ability to pick up additional aromas and smells in the air from garlic to gasoline! Yikes. Any time you want to brew a fresh pot of coffee with beans you are grinding yourself, be sure to do so immediately before the brewing process begins to minimize oxidization. Ground coffee has already been exposed to oxygen, which is why it is so important to brew the coffee as soon as you are ready to have a cup or a full pot.
Filters, and Grinders
Using a higher-quality coffee grinder is essential when you want to remove any potential chemicals and unwanted chlorine from the coffee due to coffee being mostly water. Whether you’re using tap water or bottled, be sure it is purified in addition to purchasing better filters. Grinding your own coffee beans may seem tedious, but with today’s technology there are plenty that are automatic and take less than a few seconds to a minute to get the job done–allowing you to choose from any bagged beans you have in stock.
Using the Right Amount of Coffee for Each Pot or Individual Cup of Coffee
About 2 tablespoons or 10.6 grams of coffee is just right for 6 ounces of water used when brewing coffee. Multiply accordingly or divide in half if you are only using 3 ounces of water (so 1 tablespoon, or 5.3 grams).
Water Temperature When Brewing Coffee
Getting the water temperature correct is extremely important to avoid a dull or acidic taste. The ideal temperature of ground coffee is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if coffee is brewed at 205 degrees Fahrenheit, it may exhibit acidic and even a bitter taste. When coffee is brewed at a slightly lower temperature, even 195 degrees Fahrenheit it can cause the brewed result to taste thinner, watered down, and even sour. Use a coffee maker that gives the option to set temperature for best results.
Selecting the Right Coffee Cup to Maximize Taste and Enjoyment
Although using just about any ceramic coffee cup works when enjoying your favorite brewed beans, be sure to use cups that are thoroughly clean and ready to use. In some cases, if your coffee tastes “soapy”, this may be due to an incomplete hand wash or wash when utilizing your dishwasher. Washing your cup prior to making a fresh cup or pot of coffee again ensures you are only tasting the coffee beans themselves.
Being knowledgeable of the type of coffee you are using along with implementing your own quality equipment is a way to get the most out of the flavor that each individual type of bean has to offer. While some beans are more aromatic and filled with flavors, others may be dull and nearly tasteless. Whichever type of coffee you prefer it is always recommended to test various methods of brewing while also learning more about just when the beans were processed and picked for use.