by Gina Lawton

Created on: May 05, 2009

Coffee is much more that just another beverage. To truly appreciate a great cup of coffee, it's important to think of it as an experience - not just a drink. The aroma, the texture, and the taste work together to create a drink worthy of the ritual it requires to make coffee great.

There are various components to consider when brewing coffee. Even the quality of water affect the flavor of the sacred bean. But the most important consideration for me when creating the perfect cup is the bean. Everything affects the coffee bean - the geography where it's grown, the altitude, the length and temperature of roast, the age since harvest ... like the birth of a child, the birth of great coffee is no less than a small miracle.

To brew a great cup of coffee, you need to start with great beans. Nirvana for many coffee connoisseurs is purchasing and roasting their own beans at home. However, there are many great commercially produced coffees that can satisfy the desire for good coffee. What is crucial, however, is how you treat those beans between the time of purchase, and the time you drink their nectar.

Great coffee should always be ground fresh. Don't keep your beans in the refrigerator or freezer; the ultra-dry air will suck the life and flavor out of them, regardless of how good they are. Instead, store your beans in an air-tight container, away from direct light. This will keep them in their prime the longest. However, the optimal life of unground beans are still only one week from the time you open a package. So, if you can, use and enjoy them quickly.

Another consideration is your water. Most coffee establishments use a multi-layered filter before they brew your coffee. If you don't have a filtration system at home, you might want to consider using bottled water for the best flavor. But, filtered water simply lets the complete flavor of the coffee through. You can still get good coffee with your regular tap water. But this isn't about good coffee; it's about great coffee ...

Brewing the perfect cup is the next step. When you grind your beans, and use clean, filtered water, you're prepared for this next step. There are numerous ways to brew coffee. The best to preserve the natural oils and flavor of the beans is to use a french press. This handy little gadget uses a metal screen as a filter, which doesn't strip the beans of their natural oils. To properly brew using a french press, first put a pot of good water onto boil. While you're waiting, freshly course-grind about

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