Most people start their morning with a hot cup of coffee. I never used to be a coffee drinker (too much caffeine!), but times have changes. My husband survives on coffee. He can’t function in the morning without it. I like to prepare his morning coffee.. so he can get started on my to do list 🙂 Being the curious kitty that I am.. I wondered how to make the best cup (or pot) of coffee. I still don’t drink a cup every morning, weekends only for me. For me, making a cup of coffee is a calming, pleasureful ritual to my mornings. Almost as calming as a glass of wine. Almost.
Tip 1: Good beans for the best brew
With more than 800 aromatic compounds, there’s more than enough variety out there for you to choose. Buy while means with the most recent roasting date available. Coffee quality starts to decline two weeks after roasting, as well as immediately after the beans have been ground. Which brings us to tip 2.
Tip 2: Buy whole beans and grind
The benefit of whole bean coffee is having the freshest cup possible every time if properly stored. The aroma and flavor of the fresh brew is vastly visible. The perfect comparison: freshly baked brownies. When yummy brownies are first taken out of the oven (and cooled, if you’re patient) they are at their best. Once left sitting the aroma dies down as well as the overall flavor of the brownie. This is exactly how grounded coffee is. The first moments it is grounded up it is at its best.
Tip 3: Brewing your best batch
We use an AeroPress, which I highly recommend. Think of it as a simple, less expensive version of a French press. It’s a win-win. Most excellent techniques are pour-over methods, such as the French press or drip coffee carafes. Can’t go wrong with any of these. Just ensure your water temp is around 195°F to 205°F.
