Make An Extraordinary Cup Of Coffee

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a great brew

In order to make yourself an extraordinary cup of coffee, you need to master the following steps:

1. Select good coffee
The most important deciding factor in a good pot of coffee is, of course, the bean used. If you're using instant coffee — like so many Americans do — then you're starting the whole process on the wrong foot, which is probably why you're missing out on the real deal.

In order to enjoy coffee to its fullest potential, you need to buy freshly roasted whole bean coffee. How long should they be roasted for? It all depends on your taste buds.

There are four different categories of roasted beans to choose from: Light Roasts, Medium Roasts, Medium-Dark Roasts, and Dark Roasts. The longer a bean is roasted, the darker its color and the stronger the coffee will taste. Lighter roasts are generally milder varieties.

2. Store coffee properly
All coffee, whether it is ground or whole bean, slowly goes stale after roasting, but proper storage will help preserve the flavor and extend the life of your coffee. Store it in an airtight, dark container and keep it in a dry place. After the package has been opened, it generally stays fresh for two weeks if sealed properly. After that it becomes stale, weak, and loses its flavor.

3. Choose a grinder
Once you've selected your favorite coffee bean, you need to grind the beans before brewing. There are generally two types of grinders: one using a blade and one using plates that mill the beans. In my experience, the mill grinders yield the best flavor, as the blade grinders tend to 'contaminate' the flavor with their own texture.

It is very important to use the proper grind for your type of coffeemaker. Too fine of a grind will cause over-extraction and bitterness, or clog your machine.

4. Measure coffee
Use 10 grams (approximately 2 tablespoons) of coffee for every 180 ml (6 ounces) of water.

5. Brew coffee
Use fresh, cold water only. You should never boil the coffee, as this causes bitterness. The proper brewing temperature should be between 194°F and 205°F). Coffee best preserves its flavor at 186°F. You can keep your coffee warm on a burner for about 20 minutes before the flavor becomes unpleasant.

Make sure you have the right equipment... 


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