Nothing is more impressive when you have a guest over than giving them a quality cup of coffee. It’s warm, inviting, encourages thoughtful conversation, and makes you look like the host with the most. That’s why when people come to your home, it’s important to brew the perfect cup of coffee so that amidst your fellowship, you can offer them a beverage that speaks a universal language all by itself.
The next time you want to serve your guests coffee, keep these tips in mind, and you will be one step closer to brewing that perfect cup of coffee that you all can enjoy as you spend quality time together.
Pick the Right Type of Equipment
Do: Select a coffee maker that suits your style.
Before brewing a cup of coffee, it’s vital to pick the right type of coffee maker that will fit your lifestyle and suit your needs and tastes. What kind of machine would benefit you the most? Would a machine that brews full pots of coffee be right for you, or would a machine that brews individual cups? The appliance choices you face can be vastly different between the classic, albeit cheap, Mr. Coffee, and the very pricy and elaborate personal espresso machines.
Ask yourself these questions when considering which coffee maker is perfect for you:
- How much time do you have to invest in your cup of coffee?
- How much cleaning is involved?
- Is it expensive to run? (i.e., Individual cups vs. whole bean)
- How much coffee do I drink? (If you drink more coffee a better machine will be a better long-term investment)
Don’t: Pick something ultra fancy that you’re just not going to invest the time or money in.
Be sure to pay attention to the style and design of the coffee maker. Picture the machine sitting in your home. Will the machine’s design complement the other appliances? Also, consider color. What color would go well with your kitchen décor? Ask yourself the questions above in regards to whether or not the appliance suits your lifestyle, time, and effort. Having an excellent, expensive espresso maker might not be a good investment for you if you don’t want to spend the time cleaning or using it.
Purchase & Store Your Coffee
Do: Buy local, organic, fair-trade coffee when possible
If possible, purchase organic fair-trade coffee to ensure that you will avoid pesticides, benefit from its nutrition, and pay a fair price. When buying your coffee, you will be able to choose from several types of brews like French Roast, Italian Roast, Espresso, and other specialty blends. You may have to sample blends until you find one you like. Keep in mind, dark roasts, despite stronger flavor, typically have less caffeine and less subtle flavor notes.
Don’t: Buy discounted, pre-ground beans, or bulk coffee
Unless you and your family drink a lot of coffee, it is best to purchase your coffee a little at a time to ensure freshness. The fresher the coffee is, the better it will taste. The best time to buy your coffee is right after the beans have been roasted, so if you have a local coffee roaster take advantage of that and perhaps ask for their roasting schedule. Store the roast in a glass container to extend its shelf life. Note that it is safe to refrigerate coffee BEFORE opening the package; however, do not refrigerate after opening because the beans may dry out.
Grind Your Coffee
Do: Grind JUST before brewing
Always grind your coffee JUST before brewing. It is terrible coffee practice to grind coffee beans all at once. Early grinding exposes more of the beans’ precious oils to grow rancid and bitter as well as dampens the wonderful flavors and aroma of the coffee over just a few days. Flavor can be markedly different between fresh ground beans and several days old ground beans.
Don’t: Use grocery market grinders or over grind your beans
When grinding your coffee, inquire about the best grinding method for your type of filter. Using the best grinding method will ensure that your coffee tastes as pleasant as possible. Coffee ground too coarsely may come out too watery, and you may not be able to taste its fullness (underextracted). Coffee ground too finely may taste too bitter (overextracted).
Many other people use grocery store grinders throughout the day, and sometimes they aren’t cleaned for several days, which means residues of different types of beans and roasts remain inside the grinder. Unsanitized machines can affect the flavor and overall consistency of your coffee. Also, as mentioned above, it is never a good idea to grind all your coffee at once.
Brew Your Coffee Using the Right Kind of Water
Do: Use clean, purified water
Not interested in having a home filter installed? Then have bottled water delivered by a Colorado Springs water delivery company and use their product strictly for coffee brewing. Water companies can deliver filtered drinking water or spring water right to your home. Using the right type of water will preserve the flavor of your coffee and make the taste more robust. Clean water will also keep the coffee pot cleaner for a longer period. It is a good idea to check your coffee pot every once in a while with a thermometer to make sure the water is hitting the right temperature. If not, it is time to give the coffee pot a thorough cleaning. For French Presses, check your boiled water with a thermometer and let it brew for only about 2-4 minutes. Overextraction or over brewing can result in a bitter flavor.
Don’t: Use tap water
When you are getting ready to brew your coffee, use filtered water. If you’re a Colorado Springs local then you’re in range of high-quality tap water; however, there are many impurities in tap water that significantly affect the flavor of your coffee. Water filtration systems in Colorado Springs are plentiful, so you will be able to find one that suits your needs.
Clearly Colorado provides offices and homes with the best machines and services for water and coffee delivery on the Colorado Front Range. From filtered water dispenser rentals to sleek office coffee brewers, Clearly Colorado’s purified water can ensure every cup of coffee poured is of the utmost quality.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Clearly Colorado Online or by Phone
Find Your Perfect Machine in the Clearly Colorado Product Catalogue
