Walking into a specialty coffee shop these days can be intimidating, to say the least. It takes a whole new vocabulary just to order a cup of coffee, with lingo that includes words like “double, skinny, no whip, 3/4 shot decaf” and more. Though it can seem excessive to a newcomer, you may find that you actually enjoy the options that you have now. Read on for some ways to decipher the meaning of these things.
Always find out how much caffeine a certain type of coffee contains before drinking it. Espressos do not necessarily contain more caffeine than other types of coffees. If you go to a coffee shop, your barista should be able to tell you how much caffeine you are getting in each beverage, but you might have to do some research about the beans you are using if you make your own coffee.
A great tip when brewing coffee is to always use the right water. You can’t just use any water when brewing coffee. If you’re using dirty tap water, you can probably expect an unpleasant tasting cup of coffee. Good water to use should have some minerals in it that will help to extract the best flavor.
Try using coffee when cooking meats. When you think of coffee in foods, you typically think of a flavor that is rather strong. In desserts, that’s definitely true. But when you use coffee as a rub for red meat, it actually brings out the flavor of the meat itself, making for a much tastier meal.
Some people drink their coffee black, and prefer just the pure coffee flavor. Others add just creamer, and still others like their coffee with a flavored creamer. There are many different brands and flavors or creamers available. Some common holiday creamers are flavored with pumpkin spice for Thanksgiving, or peppermint for Christmas.
Do you find yourself struggling to recreate the flavor of those expensive but tasty coffeehouse drinks? Consider using more coffee. Typically, coffee houses mix six ounces water for every two tablespoons full of coffee grounds. Try experimenting with the ratios yourself until you discover the best flavor. Understand that you may have to change this ratio based on the blend that’s being used.
To control the strength of your coffee, watch the size of your grind. In this case, coffee is a lot like garlic. The tinier you dice (or grind) it, the more potent the flavor you’ll get when cooking or brewing. If you are looking for a milder flavor, then keep your grind rather large.
Clean your coffee grinder regularly. Coffee grinds go stale quickly. As a result, it is necessary to clean your grinder often. If the grinder is not cleaned on a regular basis, old stale grinds will be mixed with your freshly ground coffee. It is best to clean the grinder thoroughly every few days.
To get the ideal flavor from your coffee beans, the water needs to be just the right temperature. Boiling water is too hot and as a result will sap the more bitter oils from your beans. Alternately, water that is not hot enough will not brew all the flavor from your beans leaving you with a very bland coffee.
Avoid reheating your coffee at all costs. When you reheat your coffee, it tends to lose a lot of its natural flavors. If you do not plan on drinking your coffee right away, but you want to make sure it stays hot, your best bet is to pour it into an insulated mug.
Make sure your coffee pot is clean. In order to get the freshest tasting coffee you must be sure you are using a clean coffee pot. You can clean it by using a teaspoon of vinegar with a full coffee pot of water. Run your coffee pot as though you are making coffee.
The best way to brew coffee is to brew it strong. If you do not like the taste of strong coffee, add milk or water after it is brewed. You want your coffee to be at its peak of flavor. If it is brewed strong and according to the proper water to coffee ratios, it should be strong and aromatic.
To cut down on acidic coffee, pull out that salt shaker. You can use just a pinch of salt in your coffee grounds when brewing to curb the acidity of the brew. Be careful not to overdo it. Too much salt will obviously change the overall taste of the brew.
Don’t be afraid to spice up your coffee grounds. You can add lots of different things to develop different flavors, like allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. If you’re afraid of adding too much, you could even add a pinch after the brewing cycle instead. You’ll be surprised at the flavor combinations you can create!
Pay attention to the soil the coffee beans were grown in. If you grind your own coffee, beans are important. The soil used to grow the beans you are using can make a huge difference in taste. Do a bit of research if you have particular tastes when it comes to coffee.
Understand that the fineness of your grind affects the quality of your coffee taste. A very fine grind will leave your coffee tasting really strong, whereas a course grind will give a very dull and weak taste. Some people prefer different types of tastes, so understand this before making coffee for them.
Consider keeping your French press coffee maker in the refrigerator if you enjoy iced coffee. Your press will be completely chilled when you are ready to use in the A.M. You can do this with cold water, and your coffee will be wonderful.
Now that you have had a full immersion into the world of ordering specialty coffee drinks, you are ready to dive right in and order up the perfect coffee exactly the way you like it. Be bold and experiment, then sit back with a newspaper and enjoy the world’s favorite beverage.
