BJ Roasters

- The Site for Coffee Lovers -

Brewing Coffee

September 25th, 2008

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Coffee gets people going every morning and is used by millions every day in the United States and around the world. There is coffee from all parts of the world offering different flavors and robustness. Regardless of where the coffee originates, the formula for a great cup of coffee is the same. The perfect cup of coffee is a delicate balance between the amount and type of grind of coffee beans you use, the temperature of the water, the length of time the water is in contact with the ground coffee and proper handling and storage of coffee beans.

Buying, Storing and Grinding Coffee

If you want to guarantee the perfect cup of coffee every time we have to go back to how we store our coffee beans. Buying coffee whole, in bean form is the best way to lock in the flavor and freshness. Once a bean is ground, it's flavor and freshness are immediately compromised. This is why proper storage is crucial to a great tasting cup of coffee. The best way to buy beans are in air tight sealed bags. Stay away from bulk coffee beans because these beans are not stored air tight, thus compromising their freshness. If you buy beans from a roaster and they aren't in an air tight bag, make sure you store them wrapped tightly in an air tight container as soon as possible. This will keep your beans fresh much longer.

Many people place their coffee beans in the freezer and then grind what they need and store. This is a bad practice. Freezing coffee beans allows for condensation to form on the bean itself, thus accelerating the loss of freshness. Only grind coffee at the time you plan to use it and never put it in the freezer.

There are several different grinds for different coffee applications. Espresso is a very fine grind, suited for a quick brew time while French press requires a very coarse grind suited for an extended brew time. The proper grind for drip coffee lies somewhere in between. About 10 to 15 seconds in coffee grinder will be appropriate.

Water Temperature and Ratio to Coffee

Measuring your coffee correctly is extremely crucial to getting that perfect cup. You should use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. An average coffee cup filled just beneath the lip is about 9 ounces of water. For a normal mug of coffee 3 tablespoons of ground coffee is good. Water temperature should be around 190°F-205°F which is just below the boiling point. The best way to brew in my opinion is not in a coffee maker but in a handy Melita plastic coffee brewer, equipped with either a metal mesh filter for best results or a paper filter. To keep coffee warm after brewing I recommend a thermos carafe which will not burn the coffee like the hot plate attached to your coffeemaker will.

Coffee has a point in which it will release bitter flavors. This is the reason it is crucial to use the right amount of water to grounds. If you brew coffee through grounds that have already passed the optimal point for brewing, the flavors released from the coffee grounds are bitter. This is a common complaint of people who say they don't like strong coffee. Properly brewed coffee is supposed to be strong and robust, but not bitter or acrid.

In summary, brewing a great cup of coffee is simple. While at the same time, making a cup of horrid coffee is just as simple. With these simple tips in mind, a great cup of coffee that will beat out Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Peets is possible right in your own home.

About the Author:

Chris is an article writer and graphic designer. In his writings he provides information to help you master the game called life. Read about Chris's latest interest in Kitchen Range Hoods and Fans at his site that reviews several different models of kitchen exhaust fans from commercial to home, including the Viking Range Hood.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Brew The Perfect Cup Of Coffee Everyt Time - What You Didn't Know About Brewing Coffee

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