by Samuel W. Connelly

Created on: June 21, 2007

Fresh Cup Every time

Everyone should be able to make for themselves the best cup of coffee every time they brew. I may be considered a coffee snob, but I am also a coffee expert and nothing makes me more irritated than the industry trying to get people to buy 'things' to make great coffee at home, while keeping the simple coffee brewing secrets to themselves.

Here is all you need to know to make the freshest cup every time.

There are four great ways to brew coffee at home; the ever so popular drip coffee maker, the Melitta, espresso machine, or my personal favorite, the French Press. Although each of these machines showcases the beans differently and each of these are prepared differently at home, the rules for creating a wonderful experience for all of these are the same.

1.Grind No matter what coffee you purchase or where you purchase it from there is a recommended grind level for the method that you choose to use when brewing at home; it's essential that you make sure that you have your beans ground for the method you use at home too, because the grind level (the more course or fine) your beans are ground completely changes the taste of your coffee. Example: A French Press is going to be ground more course than the drip coffee machine. It is all about the time the water is exposed to the bean. No worries though, you can usually tell the baristas at your favorite coffee shop what you use at home and they will grind it perfectly for you, or give you advise on how to grind them on your home grinder.

2.Water Here is a phrase I coined during a coffee seminar "Tap water will give you tap coffee" and it is true. When brewing coffee at home you should use filtered water. Many people have asked my why their coffee taste differently at home although they have followed all the directions. I ask them if they are using tap water. In many cases that is the problem. Tap water will change the taste of your coffee. Your cafe will tell you that they only use filtered water to brew your favorite coffee. If you like tap coffee that is fine; just do not expect it to taste the same as what you are drinking at the caf.

3.Proportion Too little or too much coffee measured out will also change the taste of the coffee. Look at the instructions that come on your coffee bag and make sure that you are getting the recommended proportions right.

4.Beans Last but not least it is paramount that you use fresh beans and store them properly. Once you open a bag of beans ground or whole bean- you should use them within 7 days. You only want to have your ground beans setting out uncovered for no longer than 30 minutes, so once you removed them from their air tight container grind them and brew them.

Also another great tip
Coffee beans absorb the aroma from everything around them. This is one of the reasons that we put them in an airtight bag. You don't want to set your beans in the fridge or freezer, near loose leaf teas, or anything with a strong smell. If you do, your beans will absorb the aroma and begin to taste like it. A friend of mine put their bag of coffee in their fridge next to a jar of pickles. To their surprise the beans took on the flavor of the pickles. Could be a fun experiment!

Follow these simple guidelines for a great coffee experience and you will not be disappointed. Remember that coffee is amazing, but it is always better when drank with friends.

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