ART OF A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE

• Use fresh roasted coffee beans. It's similar to getting fresh vegetables from your farmer's market.

• Unlike wine - roasted coffee beans do not improve with age!

• Specialty grade coffee beans are the highest grade level, even higher than premium grade!

• Large, well-known commercial brands, regularly use cheap low-grade coffee beans to increase profits.

• We recommend grinding immediately before brewing. It produces the best cup of coffee. Although we offer grinding, buy whole bean if you can.

• Grinding a coffee bean is like opening a bottle of wine. The clock begins to tick! Grinding exposes more surface area to air and light, the enemies of coffee. Buying the freshest roasted coffee possible is even more important when you choose to purchase it ground.

• Use a burr grinder - it provides a consistent grind and produces a better grind to allow optimal extraction of the flavor and oils.

• Use a coarser grind for slower brew cycles - and finer for faster brew cycles.

• Use fresh, clean water - bad water makes bad coffee. An activated charcoal water filter is sufficient. Use soft water for espresso. Distilled water can leave coffee tasting flat.

• The ideal drip brew cycle is 4 - 5 minutes. Brew at 195 to 205 Fahrenheit - it produces the best extraction.

• Brew espresso at 200+- Fahrenheit. Pull espresso shots for 22 to 26 seconds.

• Most older consumer coffee machines brew too cold - below 170 degrees.

• Many newer models brew in the desired temperature range.

• Never use a percolator - they boil and over-extract making bitter coffee!

• Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee for 8 oz. of water - adjust for taste.

• Fresh roasted - fresh ground - fresh brewed coffee will be a rewarding experience - savor it.

• It is best to drink fresh brewed coffee immediately.

• Contemplate the nuances of each cup - wine lovers will relate!

• Avoid using Styrofoam or plastic cups - they can leach offensive tastes.

• Use pre-warmed, ceramic, glass or china to serve - keeping your cup warm.

• To extend freshness, use a pre-heated stainless steel or insulated thermos.  

• Store coffee beans for up to a month in an airtight container at room temperature - ceramic or glass is best.

• Do not store coffee beans in refrigerator - moving back and forth causes condensation and will degrade coffee.

• If you have more than a 1 month supply on hand, you can freeze some in an airtight container - then restock your airtight countertop container and keep at room temperature. Never grind frozen beans.

• This includes coffee grinders, brew baskets, spray heads, decanters, etc.

• Over time, coffee oils form a residue on the surfaces of these components that will affect every batch of coffee it touches.

Subscribe to the free Java Junkie Forum e-newsletter for more tips