Coffee is a multi-billion dollar global industry, and its demand continues to grow with each passing day. No matter where you are in the world, there’s likely to be a local coffee shop nearby. However, these shops don’t just serve up any old coffee – they know what it takes to make the perfect cup of joe!
But what happens if you decide to make your own coffee drinks at home, and desire them to be of the same high quality? The following 6 tips from professional baristas will help ensure that you’re making an excellent cup of coffee every time.
1. Do Plenty Of Research
By researching online you can learn all kinds of tips and tricks about creating the perfect drink. You can discover the different ways to make it, how to grind the coffee, and the various equipment that’s available to buy. There’s also information about the different types of beans, the water you use, and how to brew coffee to perfection.
You’ll find plenty of free information on specialist websites and blogs, alongside different product reviews and related articles. Coffee-lovers who visit www.brewcoffeehome.com confirm peoples’ interest in things like latte art, French Presses, and how to choose the right grinder. Folks are also interested in semi-automatic Espresso machines and professional Espresso coffee makers.
2. Use The Right Equipment
What you buy will depend on the type of coffee you want to drink, and how many people will be consuming it daily. A French Press is a great option for one or two people, but if you’re making coffee for the whole office, invest in an Espresso machine. They heat the water at a much hotter temperature than other equipment, which gives you a better coffee taste. Drip coffee makers are highly popular, but it’s essential that you buy one with a good-quality filter.
An Aeropress is another great option for making coffee; they’re cheap, easy to use and there’s no compromise on taste or strength. A Moka pot is a wise choice if you drink a lot of Espressos. You can find them online or in any kitchen equipment store. With single-serve coffee machines, you can choose from different pods; with some, you have to buy the coffee separately whilst others come in pre-measured packs for convenience.
3. Grind Your Beans Before Brewing
One of the most common mistakes people make when brewing their own coffee at home is not grinding fresh beans. Using pre-ground coffee means your cup will taste stale and flat.
Burr grinders are an ideal way to ensure you get a uniform, consistent grind every time. If a burr grinder isn’t in your budget it’s okay to use blade grinders instead. The more finely ground the bean, the stronger its flavor will be. Also, fewer grounds per serving equals a weaker cuppa joe!
4. Use Quality Beans
There are many different types you can buy depending on where in the world you live and your personal taste preferences (e.g. strength). Baristas recommend buying green unroasted beans rather than roasted ones: once they’ve been roasted they lose their flavor within a week.
Some major examples of beans include Arabica and Robusta: Arabica beans are known to be sweeter, while Robusta beans are stronger and more bitter.
5. Be Wise Over Water
Here are some top tips:
- Preheat your French press or pour-over cone with hot water before adding ground coffee
- When using a drip machine, add hot water to the ground coffee at an even pace while stirring gently, until you reach the desired color and consistency
- Add water that has been heated to 195 degrees Fahrenheit – too much heat will over-extract the grounds and result in an overly bitter taste
- Give it time! The total brew time should be around four minutes if using a French press, six minutes if using a pour-over cone, or eight minutes if using an automatic drip machine
- Use filtered water – tap water often contains minerals that can affect the taste of your coffee
6. Store It Well
Be careful when storing your coffee as light exposure causes oxidation, speeding up flavor loss. Keep it in an airtight container in order to maintain freshness. Storing beans improperly can allow moisture to develop, resulting in staleness.
You now have some powerful keys in your hand that you can use to make that perfect brew of coffee. Do the research, decide what you want, and don’t cut corners. The results will be consistently tasty drinks that you and your loved ones will enjoy.
