Useful tips
Brewing a cup of coffee seems easy, but how often have you found yourself thinking that coffee made at home tastes different from coffee at a local coffee shop (not for the better)? Most likely quite often.
The most interesting thing is that making good coffee depends more on skill than on high technology.
The author of the famous book on making coffee (The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee & Tea), as well as the author of articles on the Fresh Cup Magazine coffee website, decided to share one useful and important information for coffee lovers. He talked about the most common mistakes people make when making coffee at home.
10.
The water is not too hot
Many drip coffee makers do not bring the water temperature to the ideal temperature (90-95 degrees) to make delicious coffee. But it is in this range that water extracts more flavors from grains.
Switch to a French press or a purover (a method of brewing coffee through a paper filter). You just need to grind the grains, fill them with water and wait about 4 minutes. Not only will you get more delicious coffee than homemade coffee machines, but the cooking method itself is cheaper.
Read also: What happens to your body if you drink coffee on an empty stomach every day
9.
You ground the beans a long time ago or bought ground coffee
Never buy ground coffee already. The fact is that as soon as you grind the grains, they begin to give off their aroma. The longer you wait, the less flavor and aroma your drink will have. After just 15 minutes, most of all fragrances disappear.
It is better to buy an inexpensive simple coffee grinder, and grind the coffee just before making coffee until the water reaches the right temperature.
8.
You pour coffee into a cold cup
Extend the pleasure of the drink by preheating the cup. Before pouring the coffee, pour some hot water into the cup and leave it for a few seconds, then rinse the cup and drain the water. It's also a good idea to do the same with a French press before adding ground coffee beans to it.
7.
You're drinking from the wrong cup
The elegant porcelain cups you get for tea are not suitable for coffee, as the temperature drops too quickly (the coffee cools down quickly). A not very wide cup with thick walls keeps the drink temperature longer.
Read also: The secrets of drinking black coffee for weight loss. And does coffee really help you lose weight?
6.
You're using old grains
This point is more about real coffee fans, and yet few people want to drink low-quality coffee. Ideally, you should buy beans that were roasted three weeks ago at most. The easiest way to make sure the grains are fresh is to look at the roasting date.
In places where grains are sold in bulk, such information is provided. When buying grains in store packaging, check the date on it.
5.
You do everything “by eye”
Knowing the weight of the beans you are going to grind for coffee, you will be sure that the coffee is strong enough for you. A little tip is to start with 2 teaspoons with a one-cup slide. The coffee will have a rich taste, and the drink will not be as strong as espresso.
Read also: What is the best time to drink coffee?
4.
You're using the wrong water-coffee ratio
Too much water means the coffee is weak, and too little is too strong. To find what works for you, start with two spoons of ground coffee per cup, then you can add more coffee or add more water (or milk).
How to properly brew coffee in a French press
You'll need:
Clean drinking water heated to a temperature of 90-95°C
Coffee grinder (you need a coarse grind – slightly larger than sugar crystals)
French press
It is desirable to have scales
* The ratio of coffee to water is 1:15. One teaspoon with a slide contains an average of 5 grams of coffee. If you use a 500 ml French press, you will need 33 g of coffee or about 7 teaspoons of ground coffee.
1. Warm up the water.
2. It's time to grind the grains.
3. Pour some hot water into the French press to warm it up a little. Rinse and pour out the water.
4. Add ground coffee.
5. Fill with water. You can cover with a lid, but do not lower the plunger.
6. After 4 minutes, stir the coffee with a teaspoon, wait 2-3 minutes and slowly start lowering the plunger.
If the plunger falls very tightly, then the grind is too fine, and spend less time next time on it.
Don't press — this can cause cracks in the French press. If it falls tightly, lift it up a little and lower it again.
9. Pour some hot water into the cup and rinse to heat it (this way the coffee retains its aroma and taste for a longer period).
10. If you wish, you can add cinnamon or cloves, as well as sugar (preferably brown).
3.
You're using tap water
After you brew coffee with tap water and filtered water, you will immediately notice the difference in taste. This is because filtered water is free of minerals and has no taste. Tap water impurities will affect the taste of your morning drink.
2.
You don't store your coffee correctly
There is no one specific right place to store coffee. The main thing is that coffee beans are stored in a dry place. You can use an airtight container or coffee jar. Do not store it in the freezer – it is humid there.
1.
You forget to clean your coffee machine
Like all kitchen utensils, the coffee machine must be cleaned thoroughly and regularly.
Try to wash the cone, filter and lids daily, and it's best to do this in soapy water after each use of the coffee machine. And at least once a month, start the machine using equal proportions of water and vinegar. You can also use citric acid or special cleaning products.
How to clean your home coffee machine
Professional coffee machine and grinder cleaning