8 Ways To Improve Your Coffee Today
I’ll admit, a few years ago I made some really bad coffee. It had the kind of taste that needed to be hid with lots of cream and sugar. Over the past few years, the quality of my coffee has transformed into something awesome. Here’s a few of the best tips that I picked up along the way, that can improve the quality of your coffee too.
Clean Your Coffee Maker
When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? If you don’t know, or even if it’s been just a couple months. Clean it now. You’ll notice a difference. Check out my article about cleaning a coffeemaker.
Look For A Roasted On Date
Most coffee companies don’t put a roasted on date on their coffee. Sometimes they might put a best before date, but most of the time there’s no date at all. The problem with that is that coffee is like a fresh fruit. You’re going to get the best taste and flavors within first few weeks of it being roasted. Plus, a coffee roaster that put a roasted on date probably cares more about quality than just selling coffee.
Use A French Press
Drip coffee makers get the job done, quickly and efficiently, but there’s a whole other world of flavor out there that you can’t get with a drip coffee maker. I recommend replacing your drip coffee maker with a French Press. Not only does it use less counter space and electricity, but the result is more flavorful coffee.
Buy A Coffee Grinder
If you’re buying pre-ground coffee, you are drinking stale coffee. The problem with pre-ground coffee is that coffee starts to go stale and lose it’s flavor within fifteen minutes of being ground. Even a cheap twenty dollar grinder with a simple blade is better than buying pre-ground. Although, I recommend getting a burr grinder, it’s more expensive but does a better grinding job. For bonus points, remember to clean it out often.
Use Better Water
Water is the largest ingredient in your coffee, so don’t think that it doesn’t affect the taste. If your water tastes bad, it will make your coffee taste bad. I recommend using a filter that fits on to your faucet or one of those water pitchers with a filter built into it. You will taste the difference.
Don’t Let Your Coffee Sit Around
Don’t let your coffee sit around in the coffee pot or the french press after you brew it. If you’re using a a drip coffeemaker with a heated plate, if you leave the coffee in pot for too long, it’ll cook the flavors right out of it and replace it with a not so awesome bitterness. Same thing goes for a French Press. After it’s done brewing, pour it into your might right away and store the extra coffee in a thermos or travel mug.
Choose The Correct Grind
It’s time to put that grinder into action.
- Coarse Grind – French Press
- Medium Grind – Drip Coffee Maker
- Fine Grind – Espresso Machines
Only grind what you need for right then. If you grind more for later on, it’ll be stale by the time you finally use it.
Use The Right Amount Of Coffee
Two tablespoons per six ounce cup is the standard, but it’s okay to experiment with more or less to get the taste that you like.
Those are some of my favorite tips? What’s you’re best tip for making better coffee?
Category: Coffee Information
About the Author (Author Profile)
Mike Crimmins is the highly caffeinated blogger behind Daily Shot Of Coffee. Besides drinking way too much coffee, he's obsessed with the Yankees and getting dirty on his mountain bike.Subscribe
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Good list. I’d add a couple – admittedly, smaller – things. 1) Coffee should be from somewhere. Over time, you get to know the flavor profiles of a region, which adds new layers to your tasting. Plus, if the bag doesn’t tell you where the bean is from (even if it’s a blend, the origins should be noted), that implies somewhat lax standards on the part of the roaster. 2) Pairing coffee with food can be fun, but don’t overdo it. The tradition of donuts and other breakfast pastries with coffee is well established, but too much sugar dominates the pallet, and deprives you of the nuance in flavor a coffee might otherwise offer.
Alex, those are some good tips, thanks for sharing.
It always bothers me when I get a blend of coffee and it doesn’t say where the beans in the blend are from.
Agree with Alex on the food pairing. Tons of foods go great with coffee, but that doesn’t mean it’s enhancing your coffee drinking experience. In fact, it could be hindering the flavor. Great tips
I know that not everyone has the time to do this, but when I’m tasting a coffee for the first time, I like to drink a little bit of water before I have my coffee, nothing else, no other beverage or food. That way I have a clear palate and can really taste the coffee.
I will add another way that you have implied in your post Mike. Buy your coffee from a local coffee shop/roaster. You will then know a. where the coffee is from b. when it was roasted and c. you will be supporting a local small business!
MIke, I like your reasons A, B and C!
If you have to use a drip maker make sure it is at least 1100 volts, the brew time is between 5-7 minutes total and brewing temperature is between 198-203 degrees. I always grind my beans right before I brew, air and light destroy coffee very fast. Please do NOT store your beans in the refrigerator or the freezer as the beans will pick up any odors present and distort your coffee flavor. I keep my beans in an opaque container on the counter and try to only take out what I will grind right then.
I’ve been drinking coffee since I was a junior is high school (no I won’t tell you how long that’s been!) and I absolutely LOVE it. Unfortunately my doctor says I drink too much and have been forced to cut way back.
I love americanos and will get mine with 1/2 caff, not the optimal taste but it will have to do.
Sugarsmom, that’s some perfect advice right there.
Sorry to hear that your doctor says you have to cut back on the coffee. That’s some really scary news. I don’t know what I would do if my doctor told me that.
Thanks Mike, yeah kinda scary about the caffeine but I’m not overly worried. Over 4 years ago I beat stage IIIC ovarian cancer and 6 months of horrific chemo so a little caffeine is the least of my problems! I’m a pretty tough lady!
It’s nothing for you then. Congrats on beating the cancer! That really is awesome!
My tip? Ditch the french press and get a stovetop percolator.
And clean it properly after use. At home, nothing beats the old caffettiera
That’s a bold tip Viviane, I remember the old stovetop percolator that my grandma had. It wasn’t the best tasting coffee I had, however, I might have to go back and try it again based on your comment.
stovetop percolator…
no fair …i’m not sure i have or always have a stove
to percolator upon…:)~
OMG, so forgot about the perc, best coffee ever! Thanks for the memories.
Recently I had a Keurig brewer given to me. They are pretty cool, but the k-cups do get expensive after some time. Yet with the home brew adapter that they sell for you to enjoy your own coffee? Holy smokes you would be surprised. It makes a great cup. Especially with a Kicking Horse blend. Try it. In my honest opinion, there are many methods of brewing, but at the end of the day……I don’t care, I just need my cup of joe!
Woo hoo! This is pro! I’m a coffee lover but never know how to make my coffee perfect. Thankx, man!
I once had a chef suggest that the tiniest dash of salt on the grounds before you start whatever brewing process you prefer will enhance the flavor; I’ve been pleased with the suggestion!
Traditionally I’ve always leaned to the old-school percolator, but I know that it doesn’t necessarily offer the best cup of coffee. One tip that I definitely must follow is using filtered water. Sounds silly, but I use our crappy tap water without too much of a thought.
Can’t believe I didn’t think about using better water!
It’s like looking for your glasses while they’re on your face.
Thanks for the tips!