Have you ever wondered about the right method of coffee preparation? Beethoven, the great German composer himself, allegedly had the habit of counting exactly 60 coffee beans for every cup when preparing coffee for himself.
While most coffee connoisseurs today might not be as precise as Beethoven, many of them are surely very cautious when it comes to the specific type of coffee they get, as well as how they roast, grind, and brew the coffee.
The right way to prepare coffee is actually more of a matter of personal choice. But no matter what method you choose, all methods share several common attributes. Read on below to learn some of the important tips for preparing gourmet coffee.
Decide Between Robusta and Arabica Coffee
Coffee aficionados have a consensus that 100% pure Arabica coffee should be the only coffee to be used in any form of preparing coffee. Robusta coffees have a smaller bean size, more acidity, and contain more caffeine. Many instant coffees today are produced using Robusta coffee beans.
Buy and Use Only Fresh Roasted Coffee
Experts also highly recommended that you buy and use only fresh roasted coffee. Again, while the degree of roast is more of a personal choice, when the coffee is fresher, your cup will also get a truer aroma and flavor during the coffee preparation. You can now easily buy fresh roasted coffee online that is only roasted fresh right before shipping.
Pick the Right Grind
Preparing coffee properly also depends a lot on the correct grind, which depends on the specific coffee brewing equipment you are using. For example, you should use a coarse grind when preparing French Press coffee.
Meanwhile, a medium grind is most suitable when making filter drip coffee, as well as for automatic drip coffee machines. Finally, a fine grind is most suitable for vacuum coffee pots and espresso coffee makers. Coffee enthusiasts often research the extra fine grind coffee when preparing Turkish coffee.
Go for Whole Bean Coffee
Whole bean coffee can easily last for up to one year if you store it properly inside heat-sealed valve bags. But the moment you open it, you should grind and prepare the coffee within the first several weeks to achieve the best aroma and flavor.
Consume Ground Coffee Right away
After you ground your coffee beans, you need to prepare and consume them right away because of their extremely short shelf life. Storing ground coffee for a long time before preparation will lead to a less pure aroma and taste of the coffee that will fill up your cup.
Achieve the Best Extraction by Measuring Coffee First
If you don’t use enough water but too much coffee during the preparation, you might find the resulting coffee too strong for your liking. Even if the brew may be thick with a rich taste, the coffee grounds are essentially under-extracted, which means a complete waste of excellent coffee grounds.
On the other hand, too much water or too little coffee will only make the coffee over-extracted which will result in a cup of bitter-tasting coffee. Most of the time, it is important to experiment a little bit during coffee preparation so that you can find the right amount of coffee required to suit your taste.
The required specific amount of coffee may also differ according to the type of coffee machine and the grind you are using. With automatic drip and filter drip coffee machines, the recommended serving is normally 1 to 2 tablespoons for every 6- or 8-ounce cup.
Know the Difference between Blended and Single Source Coffees
Single source and 100% pure coffees such as 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain or 100% Kona coffee may come with a more expensive price tag. However, they also happen to offer the finest aroma and taste you can ever expect from gourmet coffee.
The market is now filled with numerous so-called blended coffees that might be made up of six different kinds of blended coffees. For instance, many Kona blends contain lower than 10% of the actual Kona coffee.
Observe Proper Coffee Storage
While it is commonly recommended to use a heat-sealed vacuum bag, the moment you open it, both ground coffee and whole bean coffee should be kept in a dry and cool place inside an air-tight container. Never freeze or refrigerate coffee before you prepare it.
Follow the Right Water Temperature
The water temperature that you use can also affect the coffee you are preparing, and most of the time, this temperature is pre-determined by the specific type of coffee machine you are using.
Espresso coffee makers and vacuum pot makers boil the water first before it is forced through the coffee grounds using steam. The majority of automatic drip coffee makers are also pre-set to a temperature just under boiling.
Similar to French Press and filter drip, the suggested temperature of the water to ensure the best extraction is anywhere from 192 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. The coffee won’t be sufficiently extracted from the coffee grounds if you use water with a temperature that is lower than this range.
Stick Only to Fresh Cold Water
Finally, it is also highly recommended that you don’t use coffee makers that come with a water-holding tank. The water may be left sitting inside this tank for a long time. Most commercial office types of coffee makers feature a holding tank as a part of their design. The water will not only be stored there for extended periods because it also gets heated over and over again.
The right way of gourmet coffee preparation is to only use cold fresh water to achieve the best results. You should never pour previously brewed or old coffee over your new coffee grounds. It is not recommended to use your coffee grounds more than once.
Gourmet coffee preparation is actually very simple and easy. When done right, you can look forward to enjoying the freshest and best-tasting cups every time you need and crave that extra kick of caffeine.