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Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, rivaling tea as the morning beverage of choice for millions of people. Whether the preference is organic shade-grown specialty blends or the average ground beans 24k gold leaves in a can, there is no doubt that true coffee lovers will go to great lengths to get their “fix.” Read on for some interesting tips and insights about this passion-inducing liquid we can’t seem to live without.
Keep your automatic coffee maker clean with white vinegar. Run a brewing cycle with one part water to one part white vinegar. After allowing the carafe to soak in the vinegar for a while, run a cycle with plain water to rinse the machine. Clean your coffee maker once every week or two to remove rancid coffee oils, mold, and other contaminants.
When you are done with your coffee grinds, do not throw them away. What many people do not know is that used coffee grinds have many uses. They can be used for gardening, getting hardened food off your dishes, and removing foul smells. Simply put them in a Ziploc bag and put them in a cabinet.
If you like a delicate flavor in your coffee, try adding some right to the pot while it’s brewing. A pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla will add flavor to the brew. Flavoring your coffee this way will keep the flavor from being too overwhelming, and you won’t need cream or milk.
You do not need to tip the barista at a coffee shop the same percentage as you do a waitress or a hairdresser. Your hairdresser has to understand precisely what you want and then do it, and a waitress has multiple tables to keep up with exactly everyone’s order. Your barista mixes up one cup at a time, so do not feel guilty for tipping him or her less. Still, do throw a few coins in the tip jar frequently.
Make sure you are patient whenever you are creating lattes. The best lattes are those that are created with due care. Be careful when pouring the milk, and use extreme caution when creating the design. Don’t just rush into it, and if you need some ideas on designs, check out Flickr.
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.
Be sure to regularly clean out your coffee maker or pot. If you wait too long between cleanings, your coffee is more likely to have a foul taste, and you may even find coffee grinds in it. A good rule of thumb is to clean it out at least once a week.
It’s important to be on the lookout for the caffeine levels in your coffee. Not all coffee has equal amounts of caffeine. For instance, Robusta beans contain two times the coffee that Arabica does. Depending on the type of beans used and the amounts that were used, drip coffee can actually contain more caffeine than espresso. Make sure you keep yourself informed.
If you are planning to grind your own coffee beans, you should know that the type of grinder you choose can make a big difference in taste. Experts recommend using one that features flat grinding burrs. Blade grinders can actually generate enough heat to burn or scald the coffee beans and ruin the flavor.
If you tend to eat cookies with your coffee in the morning or night, try dipping one into the other. Cookies taste great when combined with coffee and can give you the injection of flavor that you desire. Make sure that when you dip, you have a napkin or towel nearby to avoid a mess.
Do you add artificial sweeteners to your coffee? These products can alter the flavor of your coffee and make it taste blend. Raw sugar can help your coffee to keep its original flavor. If you still prefer an artificial sweetener, at least try settling for just half a packet.
When buying coffee, never buy in bulk. Buy enough coffee for the week and store it at room temperature. Heat and light destroy the flavor of your coffee. If you have to, you can store your beans in an airtight container in the freezer, and they will last up to a month.
Pay attention to the soil cleaning house service 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.
Coffee can be used in place of water in many recipes, an interesting flavor. Try substituting cooled, brewed coffee for water in cakes, brownies, and other baked treats. Coffee has even been known to add an interesting flavor to a pot of chili. Use your imagination and come up with some ideas of your own!
If you are unhappy with the flavor or strength of your coffee, then it might be time to look for a new supplier. The coffee you are buying at your local supermarket is probably not the freshest you can find. So instead of purchasing in a grocery store, try purchasing in a coffee shop.
Adapt your coffee to water ratio in function of the technique you are using to brew your coffee. A Technivorm or a vacuum pot will require you to use more coffee grounds than a French press or a drip machine. Drip machines are actually the cheapest way to make coffee, but you will get a better flavor with other techniques.
As you see, coffee is indeed an important element in the world’s daily dietary consumption. Use some of the insights here to enrich the experience of your morning cup of “joe” and to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of a product that employs millions of workers across the globe.
