Some people are content with an “okay: cup of coffee”. You aren’t one of those people. You’re an aspiring connoisseur; and you don’t want to drink coffee that fails to excite your senses.
The tastes and aromas of great coffee are simply incomparable to those of sub-par brews. Anyone who has ventured beyond instant coffee knows this. That’s why you want to know how to take your coffee to the next level. Here are six approaches to better tasting coffee that will make you wonder how you survived before knowing them.
Grind Your Own Beans
It’s possible you’ve heard people say that grinding coffee beans at home improves the taste. And you never listened to them, did you? Well, for people who are serious about improving the flavor of their home-brewed coffee, grinding the beans immediately before preparation is an important step. You actually lose a lot of the coffee bean’s flavor when you buy pre-ground coffee.
We grind up the coffee beans because it’s easier to extract the taste and aromatic properties in that form. However, immediately after being ground up, oxygen and moisture can start degrading those tastes. Additionally, carbon dioxide, which facilitates oil absorption, releases extremely fast after the bean has been ground up. For the best-tasting coffee, get whole bean coffee, and grind your beans immediately before using them.
Use a French Press
A French press is typically going to give you better tasting coffee than any drip option. Why? Because with a French press, you don’t lose the oils and micro-grounds that get captured by drip filters. This affords drinkers a purer, stronger coffee experience. It also allows you to determine how long you want to let the beans steep in the hot water. The result is a more flavorful beverage than you can get from a drip method; as machines often burn the coffee, giving it a charred taste.
Premium Coffee Capsules over Inferior Coffee Pods
It’s simple to understand why people like coffee pods. They are easy to use – or at least, that’s how they are marketed. In reality, coffee pods are really just subpar instant coffee. And the brewing machine still requires cleaning, maintenance, and counterspace. Not to mention that most pods are neither recyclable nor eco-friendly.
Luckily for you, that none of those fetters are necessary today. Premium coffee capsules now offer all the taste of a great cup of coffee, with none of the hassle that comes with preparation. There are even brands offering one-time use capsules that are sustainable and require no expensive machines. Unlike outmoded pods, these coffee capsules are opened and poured into hot water for black coffee, frothed with milk for a latte, cooked into desserts, or whatever you need them to be. It’s not too good to be true. It’s just a new approach to luxury coffee!
Pay Up for Better Beans
It’s possible that your issue lies in your beans. Nothing is going to mask the bitter taste of bad coffee beans. If you’re making it at home anyway, pay up for a slightly better option. Don’t be afraid to try new things. There are so many different varieties of coffee beans on the market today, it would be a shame for you to settle for something that isn’t tasty.
Try Different Kinds of Milk and Additions
One recent study found a correlation between psychopathy and preferring black coffee. If that’s not reason enough to opt for cream and sugar—think about how these can improve the taste. There are many things to try besides your standard additions:
- Butter
- Ice Cream
- Whipped Cream
- Almond Milk
- Soy Milk
- Salt
- Cardamom
- Coconut oil
And this list can go on. Try any of these or adding another of your favorite flavors. If you don’t like it, all you’ve lost is one cup of coffee!
Ensure Correct Temperature and Mineral Content of Water
Unsurprisingly, the water you use to make your coffee is going to affect the taste. It’s important to keep temperature and mineral content in mind when brewing coffee. Temperature is key because if your water doesn’t get hot enough, you won’t extract all the flavors and aromas from the grounds. This is often an issue with drip machines, as they don’t reach a high enough heat. Mineral content can change the way the water binds with the coffee particulates. If this is too high or too low, you’re not going to achieve the optimal blend. Your water should have a mineral content of around 150 parts per million.
Similarly, new challenger brands are using high-alkaline water, rich in minerals to make liquid coffees. Not only does this deliver a clean taste, some believe high-alkaline water offers numerous health benefits including immune system support.
These are some of the most effective ways to easily improve the taste of the coffee you make at home. Implementing one of these techniques will instantly elevate your coffee game to new highs.
