If you miss those cozy mornings at the coffee house enjoying a delicious cup of coffee and a morning read, we have a good number of essential tips that will help you approximate the coffee shop experience at your own home. As a matter of fact, even small details like how you store your coffee, what grind size you use in which coffee machine, and in what kind of cup you drink your coffee make a huge difference in how tasty your coffee turns out to be. If you want to learn more about the art of coffee-making, continue reading.
1. Buy whole coffee beans instead of pre-ground coffee
Buying pre-ground coffee is one of the most common mistakes people make when they try to make coffee at home. This is because pre-ground coffee will lose its taste and aroma a lot faster than coffee beans, even if you're keeping it in an airtight container. So, if you intend to keep coffee for several weeks or even months, it's best to store it in the form of whole beans.
2. Grind size matters
Another reason why it's better to grind your own coffee is because different coffee machines require a different grind size. So, if you have both an espresso machine and a filter coffee maker, grinding all the coffee may result in a bitter or watery and tasteless cup. Typically, espresso machines require a fine grind, whereas filter machines require a coarser grind, otherwise, the coffee will turn out too bitter.
So, if you find that your coffee is too bitter, try grinding it coarser, and if your coffee turns out too weak, you ought to try a finer grind. If you have a drip coffee brewer, a common type, the grind should be medium coarse. As Jason Sarley, a coffee expert, stated in an interview to Considerate, “If you rub the grinds between your fingers, it should form a clump — it shouldn’t just go flat, it should still be a little coarse.”
3. Grind small amounts of coffee at a time
Nothing beats a freshly ground cup of coffee. As a matter of fact, the majority of complexity and flavor of a coffee shop cup of coffee comes from the fact that they always grind just enough coffee for one cup. This is because ground coffee loses its flavor extremely fast when exposed to air - just after 10-15 minutes. But even coffee beans should not be preserved for longer than a month, and the National Coffee Association (NCA) recommends completely using up a portion of coffee beans in two weeks for preserving an optimal flavor profile.
4. Experiment with water quantity
When searching the perfect ratio of coffee to water, when making a cup of coffee, experts recommend starting from the "Golden Ratio", which is 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee for a 6-ounce cup of water. However, this will depend on the coffee maker you use, so we recommend opening the manual for your specific coffee maker and follow the specific coffee to water ratio. For reference, the basic proportions for common coffee makers are as follows:
- Espresso 1:2
- French Press 1:12
- Chemex 1:17
- Moka Pot 1:10
- Cold Brew 9:40
- Aeropress 1:6.
5. Drink from glass or ceramic cups
It technically shouldn't matter what vessel you drink your coffee from as long as the container is hot beverage safe. However, studies show that there is a psychological effect for certain materials, such as glass and ceramic. A 2008 study even discovered that people who held a warm cup of coffee before interacting with strangers found that the stranger was nicer than participants who held a cup of iced coffee.
Other studies also point out that the color orange may help you enjoy the beverage the most. For more fascinating color facts, read this article: 15 Mind-Blowing Facts About Color.
6. Make a stronger cup for iced coffee
Here's an iced coffee tip from the experts: to make the most flavorful iced coffee you ever had, double the brew strength of the coffee. The ice in the iced coffee will dilute the coffee and yield in the perfect cup of iced coffee. Alternatively, you can use frozen coffee cubes which you've previously put in the freezer when making iced coffee instead of regular ice cubes.
7. To freeze or not to freeze?
Storing coffee beans in the freezer can be a good idea, but keep in mind that it's a risky endeavor. We recommend only freezing unopened bags of coffee that are perfectly sealed, otherwise, you're risking freezer burn and the coffee absorbing the smell and taste of the freezer and any surrounding food. The easiest and best way to store coffee without risking any of these problems is in a cool dark place in a sealed bag or airtight container.
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