7 Affordable Steps Can Enhance Your Coffee From Good to Great

Many coffee drinkers would agree that starting the day with a great cup of java is a definite must have!

But, is it considered to be your everyday average coffee, or does it have gourmet quality?

Something that tickles the taste buds and puts a smile upon your face.

What if I told you that it's possible to enhance the flavor of coffee from the convenience of your own home?

That's right, there are things you can do to improve the taste of your coffee and use some coffee hacks to starting a day. And here are some guidelines to help you get started.

If you've always enjoyed a fresh cup of gourmet coffee only without paying an arm and a leg at the local cafe to do so.

Then here are some tips on how to improve the flavor of your average everyday Java.

If you are purchasing bags of coffee that's already grounded, switch over to fresh, whole beans.

The main reason coffee manufacturers do not put dates on their products is due to how long it sits on a store's shelf.

In most cases, they've been sitting there for several months.

For the freshest cup of coffee, buy fresh beans from your local coffee shop.

Some, even roast them right at that location, providing you with the freshest coffee beans.

Important Points To Remember:

• Only buy whole coffee beans.
• Look for a bag with the date printed on it of bean roasting.
• Try to find a local coffee roaster in your area for the freshest possible coffee.
• Only grind coffee beans when planning on brewing it within one week.

Important Points To Remember:

• Store in an airtight container.
• Exposing coffee to oxygen makes it go stale.
• Storing in a ceramic container that's airtight works the BEST.
• Make sure to store your coffee away in a cool place that's darkened, but not in the refrigerator. This is due to moisture seeping through.
• For best results, only store coffee which you're using within the first week of grinding.

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Creating a new and improved cup of coffee includes removing the variables.

To do this you''ll want to have equal amounts of both coffee and water.

One way of ensuring correct measurements is by doing so with a digital scale.

Using roughly 7 1/2 milliliters of coffee to 150 milliliters of water will produce a nice robust cup of Java.

But, for something a tad weaker, try using more water and less coffee!

Important Points To Remember:

• Digital scales are more accurate than measuring spoons.
• Base your measurements on preferred coffee strength.
• When using a 6 cup auto-drip coffee maker, measure out 90 gm of fresh, whole bean coffee before grinding it up.

​Grinding plays a major role in the flavor of coffee and should be immediately ground before you brew it.

Coffee tends to lose flavor thirty minutes after grinding and tastes the best when you grind it up at time of brew.

In the (Grand Scheme) of things, it comes down to both size and consistency.

Which are essential for great tasting coffee.

When your grind is too coarse you'll end up with a weak tasting pot of coffee, and when over ground it has a bitter taste to it.

Depending on your own personal budget, top of the line grinders start out at hundred dollars and work their way up.

Yet, for those looking to spend as little money as possible, try using a hand-mill coffee grinder!

It is easy to use and grinds beans with consistency.

Important Points To Remember:

• Coffee beans have special oils which help to preserve the natural flavor of coffee.
• During the grinding process oils escape and evaporate as time goes on.
• By purchasing a coffee grinder you'll have the ability to drink fresh coffee at any time.
• For those considering getting a bladed Burr grinder, these adjustable devices work great. Grinding beans up within no time at all and provide the right amount of consistency as well.
• Only grind up enough coffee beans for each brew, this ensures freshness. 

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There are certain elements that help to determine the quality of your coffee. Such as, using the correct grinding method.

When you grind coffee beans it helps to bring out both their flavor and aroma. 

This is done through the grinding process, breaking apart the bean's cell structure. Thus, enhancing the flavor of coffee.

Below are the different types of grinding methods according to specific coffee brewer.

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1. Very Coarse

This particular grind consists of larger particles that're broken apart. And are ideal for making cold brewed beverages.

2. Coarse

This type of grind has more distinct particles and is a preferred method for cold pressed drinks.

3. Medium Coarse

This grind is somewhat gritty and contains no particles. It is fine to use in both automatic and Chemex coffee makers.

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French Press

Also known as the press pot, the french press has a round container made of either glass or plastic.

Atop of the unit is a tight fitting plunger lid that acts as a filter. To activate the french press brewer, you push down the plunger and the coffee comes out of the bottom. You can also make cold brew in French Press.

Pros:

• Nice strong cup of coffee.
• It puts you in control of the coffee helm. Thus, providing you with an opportunity to determine strength and taste.
• Allows to make up to 8 cups of coffee at a time. Which is convenient when having visitors over.

Cons:

• Is somewhat more complicated than a common drip coffee maker.
• Unless you've a garbage disposal, you will have to find somewhere to put the coffee grounds. And it can be a pain to try and clean.
• Tends to leave sediment at the bottom of your coffee mug.

Pour-Over

A brewing method that falls between the french press and auto-drip is the pour-over.

They have a round pot made of glass with a plastic filter insert on top where you pour in the water. Which flows through to the coffee grinds and into the pot.

Pros:

• Creates an AMAZING cup of Joe without the need for added flavors.
• Gives you the ability to be creative and expand your mind to various types of coffee.
• Its bonded filters help catch oils and sediments, creating a smooth, rich cup of Java.

Cons:

• The many special features and accessories look nice, but can be quite confusing.
• For proper cleaning you're going to need a wide variety of brushes and tools.
• These units generally brew only one cup of coffee at a time and also come with a high price tag as well.

Drip-Brew Coffee Machines

The drip-brew is a common and preferred method of brewing. Which involves an automatic coffee maker that requires paper filters for the grounds.

They are easy to use and some even come equipped with timers.

Place coffee grounds into the filter, pour in water, and you have a fresh brewed pot of java.

Pros:

• Have programmable controls for pre-setting brew the previous night. Giving you the ability to wake up to a fresh cup of Joe in the morning.
• You'll be able to control the amount of water, coffee, and brew strength.
• Most come with the option of brewing up to twelve cups of coffee at one time. Which is perfect for large quantities of guests during the holiday seasons.
• Have unique features like a hot water spout for brewing a hot cup of tea.

Cons:

• After the years go by it loses the ability for making great tasting coffee.
• It requires vinegar run through it for cleaning and leaves an odd smell and taste to your next coffee brew.
• If you forget to remove coffee grounds from filter, it can promote mold growth and be unhealthy for you.

Aeropress

Another popular coffee brewing device is the Aeropress.

Which you can use paper or disc style metal filters with. The unit has two nesting cylinders, one of which is for an airtight seal and fits within the other cylinder.

Placing a paper filter in the cylinder, you then add hot water that's between 79 and 85 °C, wait a few minutes and enjoy.

Pros:

• Is very efficient and can go with you anywhere. And makes for a great camping accessory.
• Very easy to clean, pop out the old coffee grounds and voila, you're ready for a fresh cup of Java.
• Brews coffee within minutes due to the high pressure involved with brewing.

Cons:

• Requires special filters, which is no big deal thanks to the worldwide web.
• Creates single servings of coffee and is ideal for those who don't want pots of unused coffee.

Siphons

Also known as the vacuum coffee maker, the siphon is more involved method of brewing. Which involves two chambers, a bottom carafe and the top coffee brewer.

Water goes in the carafe and coffee grounds go into the top brewer. When the water heats up and vaporizes it creates pressure within the carafe. And pushes through the upper chamber and begins the brewing process.

Pros:

• Makes a wonderful cup of coffee that's very flavorful. Which will be the talk of the town when entertaining guests.
• Allows you to control the temperature of heat and steeping times.
• With its full immersion of coffee grounds, you'll get a total spectrum of flavors from your coffee.

Cons:

• It is hard to store away and not ideal for those planning on moving soon.
• Requires a lot time to clean.
• You have to stay near unit while brewing.
• The unit itself along with the special filters and butane heater can be quite costly

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Here are the steps to take for cleaning your grinder:

1. Using about 1/4 cup of dry rice that's uncooked, place it into the grinders hopper.
2. Next, turn on your grinder until the rice grinds down to a fine powder. When done, dispose into trash receptacle.
3. Unplug your coffee grinder and wipe it out with a dampened paper towel.

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Why settle for drinking coffee in a plain, old kitchen when you can  turn it into the ULTIMATE sidewalk cafe?

It'll make enjoying your cups coffee all the more enjoyable.