Homemade coffee sometimes gets a bad rep. It’s true, not everyone can afford or accommodate a huge, barista-style coffee maker.
And even then, coffee making is a bit of a skill. Whether you’re starting your day with a cup of Joe or looking for a little mid-day boost, here are some hacks for making truly yummy coffee at home.
1. Buy quality coffee
Making a great tasting coffee isn’t all about the equipment. Even a normal drip machine or a simple French press can produce a beautiful cup if you’re using quality coffee. Just like wine or chocolate, coffee beans differ in quality. Freshly roasted coffee beans tend to be a little richer in flavor than pre-grounded coffee, for example. The factors that influence coffee quality and flavor include the climate, the type of beans, and the variety to name a few.
2. Grind your own beans
Grinding fresh beans is the first step to upping your coffee game. Coffee is complex but when ground, it quickly loses some of that freshness and flavor. That’s why you should invest in a coffee grinder and only grind as much as you need at a time. And grinders needn’t be expensive either. Importantly, avoid storing your beans in a sunny space and keep them in an air-tight container. Beans that are exposed to the air will lose their freshness faster. Here are some tips to store coffee beans for extended freshness.
3. Choose the machine that’s right for you
The coffee maker that’s right for you depends on the type of coffee you enjoy drinking. Prefer an Americano? Or do you want the flavor of a strong espresso? Or how about that cappuccino?
Let’s start with the simplest. Filter coffee machines are quick and easy to use. As long as you’re using quality coffee, they can still produce a decent cup of Americano. Typically, filter machines are associated with weaker coffee. But that depends on the number of scoops you add. One big benefit of filter machines is that they often include features which can keep an entire pot warmer for longer. That means you don’t need to make a fresh cup each time. Pour-over and French presses are great budget alternatives for a quick cup, but they won’t keep coffee hot for quite as long so are a better choice for single cups.
If you’re after something stronger like espresso, you’ve got a few different choices. At the budget end, an Italian-style moka pot is a great choice for a rich-tasting espresso. They’re easy to use on the hob. If you have the budget for a more comfortable option, go for one of the bean-to-cup espresso makers. They’ll take a little longer to come to grips with, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be sure to enjoy a fresh, rich espresso with every push of the button. Many coffee varieties like cappuccino and latte are essentially a mixture of a shot of espresso with warm milk. You can purchase a separate milk foamer or machines that include them. Made a mess while testing your new machine? Here are some tips to remove coffee stains from soft furnishings.
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