Coffee at its Best

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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!

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