7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

Did you know that you can make a great cup of coffee on your own from home?

 

Here are 7 simple considerations for producing the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Start with quality coffee. One of the most critical aspects of coffee making is the grade of the coffee you start with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor.

Grind the beans. Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and easy to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, you'll be able to grind only what you need, meaning you will always have the freshest coffee available.

Store It Right And Tight. It is fundamental to store your coffee in an airtight container. Air oxidizes the coffee and can make it become bitter. Metal canisters are best avoided to prevent a metallic taste. The best containers are air tight plastic or ceramic  for both coffee and coffee beans. Also, contrary to what you might think, store coffee at room temperature because the moisture in the fridge or freezer will hasten the aging process.

Care of the coffee maker that you use is also critical. No matter what kind you go with, you can make a good cup of coffee if you use the maker as intended.

 It should be cleaned with soap where possible after each use to remove coffee oils. The oil can build up and go rancid, which would obviously affect the flavor. You should also run a cycle of clean water with vinegar (2 to 1 mix) every so often to remove hard water deposits where that's a problem.

The water you use is central to the quality of the coffee. Filtered water that is free from chlorine and minerals makes the best coffee. 

Trial and error will determine the right amount of coffee to use to produce a coffee to your individual taste. Start off with the coffee supplier's recommendation and add or subtract from it to taste.

Freshness is the last and most important factor in enjoyment of a great cup of coffee! Most restaurants that pride themselves at all on their coffee keep it for less than thirty minutes, but at home, the best coffee is coffee you enjoy immediately after brewing.

4 Easy Tips for Making Iced Coffee at Home

A big chill is sweeping the coffee industry as iced coffee beverages gain popularity.

 

According to the National Coffee Association, the percentage of Americans who drink iced coffee beverages increased from 20 percent in 2003 to 29 percent in 2004. Following the popularity of cappuccinos and mocha lattes, consumers are discovering that coffee is just as tasty - and even more refreshing - when served cold.

Iced coffee can be as easy to prepare as iced tea. A variety of options, such as flavoring syrups, cold milk, chocolate and spices, allow you to create personalized coffee concoctions that are equally delicious as those served in your favorite cafe.

Beverages such as iced vanilla mocha, iced rum coffee and iced latte are easy to make at home. Here are some tips for refreshing iced coffee drinks.

* Pour the flavoring syrup into the cup first. To complete the drink, pour in espresso or coffee, then the ice, and top it off with cold milk.

* Don't let your beverage become watered down. Cool your favorite coffee beverage with ice cubes made from fresh-brewed coffee instead of water.

* Use a machine that produces a high quality coffee or espresso. The Capresso CoffeeTherm, for example, grinds coffee beans right before brewing and allows you to control the strength of your coffee.

* Be creative. Add a personalized touch to your iced coffee beverages with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nutmeg or cinnamon.