Do you routinely enjoy a cup of coffee? You might be absolutely overwhelmed with all the ideas and choices that are out there in the wide world of coffee. Keep reading into this article, though, as there are ideas here that can simplify and enhance your coffee habit in life.
If you are looking for a great way to turn basic, boring drip coffee into a special treat look no further than your own fridge and pantry. Hot chocolate mix or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can be great ways to sweeten up a cup of coffee and make it something special.
Have you ever tried drinking ice cold coffee or cappuccino? This is a good way to get the caffeine you need while drinking a refreshing beverage. You can either use instant coffee, mix it in cold water and add some ice or put some coffee grounds in a fine filter and place it in a glass of cold water.
Do not throw away your old coffee grounds. If you have a garden, you can use your coffee grounds as fertilizer for your plants and flowers while keeping the pest away. You can also use old coffee grounds to scrub dirty dishes or clean your kitchen counter instead of using chemicals.
You should only use those coffee grounds produced free of pesticide use. Coffee derives its flavor from the soil it is grown in. Therefore, coffee that is organically grown will naturally taste better.
If you are planning to store coffee beans, keep them in a place that is close to room temperature. This will help to extend the longevity of the beans, so that no flavor is lost providing great-tasting coffee for a very long time. Storing coffee beans in temperatures too hot or cold can cause them to go stale faster.
If you want to keep the best coffee in bulk, keep the beans fresh. When beans are stored improperly, they can easily take on the flavors of foods around them and become less flavorful. Keep your coffee beans in an opaque, air-tight container.
While looking at the different types of grinders available, remember that conical or flat grindings burrs are the best. This reduces the level of heat that you experience when brewing. As a result, the coffee is more robust and full-flavored. Any grinder that uses blades to grind will lack in consistency. They end up burning the beans by creating too much heat.
Avoid buying coffee beans from bins where several of the beans are visibly broken. Chances are these beans are either old and dry or have been exposed to heat or light. All of these conditions allow the rich flavor of fresh beans to seap out. A bin full of fresh beans should also have a very strong aroma.
If you are planning to grind your own coffee beans, you should know that the type of grinder you choose can make a big difference in taste. Experts recommend using one that features flat grinding burrs. Blade grinders can actually generate enough heat to burn or scald the coffee beans and ruin the flavor.
Make it a habit to only grind enough coffee for your immediate use. When you grind a whole bag of coffee, you are speeding up the flavor shelf life. Those grounds will lose flavor within a couple of days, where the fresh beans would have held out a little longer.
Coffee can be used in place of water in many recipes an interesting flavor. Try substituting cooled, brewed coffee for water in cakes, brownies and other baked treats. Coffee has even been known to add an interesting flavor to a pot of chili. Use your imagination and come up with some ideas of your own!
Invest in a coffee maker that multitasks. You can use this to do more than just make coffee. Choose one that will begin your brew so that you have a fresh pot waiting when you wake up. This can save you time in the morning and be an aromatic wake up call for you. You will appreciate having a fresh brewed pot of coffee waiting for you when you wake up.
The water you are using when brewing your coffee maters. Does the water from your tap taste a little funny? If you use it in your coffee, your coffee will taste a bit off as well. If taste is an issue for you, try using filtered water to brew coffee.
Coffee beans are actually a fruit of the coffea plant, a small evergreen bush. The berries are picked by hand, sorted and the outer cover is removed. Then the beans are washed and dried, either on drying tables or by pumping heated air through a container they are placed in.
If you have cats that like to make a mess of your garden, sprinkle it with used coffee grounds. The smell is a natural repellant for cats. This will stop your cat from thinking that the flower bed you love so much would be better if used as a litter box.
Do not store coffee beans or ground coffee in glass jars or other transparent containers. Light, heat, and exposure to air can negatively affect the quality of the coffee. Place ground coffee beans in an airtight container that you cannot see through. Store the container in a cool area away from the stove.
A good tip for cleaning your coffee maker is to run vinegar through it. This helps as the vinegar kills residue and any foul smells that may be found in your coffee maker. To do this, simply pour the vinegar in as you would the water and let it brew.
With luck, this article has presented you with some coffee knowledge that you did not have before. The whole point of drinking coffee is to get through your day easier, right? So, hopefully this article has had a gem or two that make your coffee habit easier to manage in life.
