Coffee is America's drink. Most people start their day with a steaming cup of Joe. Many are relegated to purchasing over priced drinks from local cafes because the perfect cup eludes them at home. Here we will outline the steps needed to brew your own at home.
Always use clean equipment when brewing. Anything left if the machine will either go rancid or burn. This will give the new batch of coffee a bitter flavor.
Coffee is a horticultural product so freshness will affect flavor. Always procure the freshest beans possible. Buy beans from a reputable source that does a high volume of sales. The longer the beans sit around the store, the less fresh they will be.
Purchase only enough beans to fit your lifestyle. If beans go stale in a store they will also go stake in the house. If you only drink one cup a day, don't stock up on beans. Even if you buy your favorite, it won't taste as good if it goes stale.
Use the best possible water. If the tap water is good enough to drink, use that. If it tastes funny use filtered water.
Fresh ground beans means better flavor. Always grind at home before brewing. A grinder at home is a small investment in fresh flavor.
Select the correct grind size for your apparatus. Coarse grind is best for cold water brewing in a percolator. Medium grind is the most useful. This is used for drip methods and French presses. Fine grind is used for vacuum and Neapolitan flip methods, popular in Europe. Extra fine is used for espresso machines.
Always make sure that the right amount of grounds are used. One six ounce cup needs 2 tablespoons of grounds. More grounds do not make a better cup and wastes beans. Less than 2 tablespoons makes the water work too hard to extract flavors leading to the leaching of bitter tannins from the beans.
Beans should be treated like most other perishable goods, kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Do not put beans in the fridge. This exposes them to moisture, and that ruins the flavor. Beans can be kept in the freezer, but only for 2-3 months.
When brewing, use water just off the boil. The time it takes to walk the kettle to the grounds is enough time for the water to cool down. If you are using a machine, this step does not apply.
After brewing, but before serving, make sure to stir. This helps distribute the particles that have settled on the bottom. It also mixes the oils into the drink. This makes for consistently good cups throughout.
If any coffee remains, store it in a thermos or a preheated air pot. This keeps it hot and fresh and doesn't allow for scalding if left on a hot plate.
Following easy steps and making them a routine will ensure a consistently delicious and fresh cup of coffee. It is easier than you think.