Coffee at its Best
Most of us want us to
enjoy the best coffee we can lay our hands on. Let's see how we can make our
morning coffee, the best, in terms of quality.
Keeping Coffee at its freshest best
When purchasing
coffee beans, take care to buy whole beans and grind only enough for one pot of
coffee at a time. Whole beans retain their flavors, oils and aromas much longer
than ground coffee. Buy only enough coffee beans as you will use in one or two
weeks; this will help insure freshness. It is best if you could store your
beans in an air tight glass, ceramic or plastic containers. If you use plastic,
you should use the beans in one week or less.
Never store beans or
ground coffee in the refrigerator or freezer. Both the Specialty Coffee
Association of America and the National Coffee Association of USA recommend
storing whole coffee beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry location (in
a cabinet); never freeze or refrigerate the beans. Roasted coffee beans contain
volatile flavor oils and essences that can crystallize in cold temperatures.
Once crystallized, they are locked up and can no longer contribute to coffee
flavor or taste.
Brewing Coffee
Brewing the perfect
cup of coffee is easy. Always start with fresh, filtered water and freshly
ground coffee beans. Always consume brewed coffee within 30 minutes or, store
in a thermal carafe (a carafe will hold coffee for up to 2 hours). The method
of brewing is up to your personal taste. Here are the most popular methods.
Automatic Drip
This is probably the
most popular method of brewing. This method produces a clear, crisp cup of
coffee with little or no particulates. Depending on preferences, you can use
either a permanent gold filter or disposable paper filters. If you use paper,
always use natural unbleached or pre-washed filters. If you use regular
filters, rinse with water prior to using. Never reuse a paper filter. Always
brew at least 80% of the coffee maker's capacity unless it has a short brew
cycle.
French Press
The French press has
a loyal following. It produces a very rich, full bodied cup of coffee with a
small amount of coffee particulate that many find desirable. To brew, take
coarsely (standard perk) ground coffee and add it to the bottom of the
container. Add hot water (about 190 degrees), put the cover in place and push
the plunger down about 1/4 of the way and let steep for about 3-5 minutes,
depending on taste. Push the plunger down to trap the grounds and stop the
brewing and serve immediately.
Vacuum Brewing
Vacuum brewing was
popular in the 1930s and 40s. It is now making a comeback. This method produces
full bodied coffee with very little particulate. Most brewers use a nylon
filter that filters out most of the particulate but allows body and flavor
through. Place cold water in the lower part, insert the upper part and add
coffee grounds (grind to standard drip or electric perk). Follow instructions
for your particular maker. The water is heated to near boiling, forced into the
top and steeps. As the lower part cools it forms a vacuum and draws the brewed
coffee back down. Serve immediately or pour into a thermal carafe.
Despite the way you
make your cup of coffee in the morning, always note that the more coffee you
consume, the more addictive it gets, morning after morning. So it is best if
you can avoid it at times, besides it takes 24 hours for one cup of coffee to
pass through the kidneys and urinary tract. (For those who drink 7 or 8 or more
cups a day, you might want to invest in your own dialysis machine ... or at
least invest in the company which makes them!) Cheers!
Comments