5 basics to a great cup of coffee
Photography by: Kanko
By following these simple steps, you are assured of a great tasting, consistent cup of coffee.
- Coffee – Always use fresh coffee. Buy no more than you will use over the period of two weeks’ time. It is best to store coffee at room temperature in an air tight container. If you will not use your coffee within two weeks, or otherwise have a need to store the beans/grounds, it is okay to do so in the freezer. However, prior to using be sure to allow the coffee to come to room temperature so the condensation can evaporate. I prefer the outstanding coffee from Peets.
- Water – Fill your coffee pot with fresh, cold water. If you’re so inclined, use filtered water, but I’m becoming a bit tired of the bottled/filtered water buzz.
- Pre-heat Carafe – This is important! Assuming you filled your coffee machine with your carafe, the impact on the first cup of 180-degree brewed coffee when it hits the cold carafe is significant. The temperature loss, and associated loss of critical aroma and flavor, can ruin the entire pot of coffee. Even if you used other means to add cold water to the machine, your carafe would be much cooler than the brewed coffee if not preheated. My approach is to begin the process by filling the carafe with hot water while I use another container to add water and then add my grounds.
- Remove Carafe – If possible, attempt to loiter near the coffee machine so you can tend to your fresh pot of coffee at the conclusion of the brewing cycle. If you can’t be near the machine, I recommend the use of a timer (you will need to time your coffee makers’ brewing cycle). When using a thermal carafe, remove the pot as soon as the brewing cycle completes. When using a conventional carafe, either swing your filter basket away from the carafe, or simply discard the used grounds. The intent is the same in both cases: we don’t want the bitter end of the coffee grounds to make it into our carafe and ruin the entire pot!
- Pre-heat cup – Last, just as you pre-heated your carafe to avoid the temperature clash, it is important to pre-heat your cup as well. Not only will the coffee taste better, it will be much hotter!
Enjoy your café!
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Good post. I will try your recommendations, especially the removal of the basket just after brewing.
I agree about the water. I find that tap water from most of the Sacramento region is just fine. Sometimes you may be better off with bottled or filtered water your water tastes different because of a very specific reason, such as an older house with old non-copper pipes.
I would also recommend that if your brand of coffee maker has a hot plate that you turn it off after 10 minutes, otherwise, you will continue to cook the coffee. Transfer to an insulated carafe or thermos.
Thanks, Jon. Great points re: the old pipes and the hot plate.
Why would you want to ruin a good cup of coffee with cream/sugar, etc? If your coffee doesn’t taste good, try another brand of coffee. The idea of covering up the nasty taste of coffee with sugary crapola is a laugh. I drink coffee because I like the taste of the coffee. If I wanted a milkshake, I’d go to Mickey D’s and get one. Give me a cup of Columbia Supremo, Kona, or Celebes Blue, and I’m a happy camper.
Jim - Thanks for the comment, and I couldn’t agree with you more.
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