What’s in the Perfect Cup of Coffee?

Let’s talk coffee. Do you like yours from Starbucks, are you hooked on instant, or do you love to chug gas station coffee? Whatever your preferences, there’s nothing quite like sipping on a perfect cup of coffee to start your day. If you don’t go to bed and wake up looking forward to a fresh brew, then you don’t know what it’s like to have a perfect, or close-to-perfect cup of coffee. So what goes into making the perfect coffee? 

Here are a couple of tips, pointers, and tricks you can use to make the perfect coffee. 

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Equipment

If you enjoy the convenience of instant coffee, then perhaps this article can sway your opinion to try out some of the more sophisticated coffee-brewing methods. For instance, you can invest in a stovetop coffee percolator if you want great tasting coffee that isn’t a pain to make. They’re cheap, simple to use and they aren’t hard to find. You can check out this site for the best stovetop coffee percolator models that your money can buy. If you prefer using a coffee machine, then you might want to invest in something that comes with lots of features. There are some coffee machines that only take ground coffee and some that will grind beans for you.

Money matters for a coffee machine, so pick something within your budget and trust in the brand you buy from. If you don’t have a grinder or your machine doesn’t grind beans for you, then it’s important to get one if you want to get the most out of your coffee. You also need to keep your equipment clean to prevent any oil and grime buildup. You should clean it with a vinegar or a coffee machine cleaning solution at least once every month if you use it heavily.

Fresh Beans

Fresh beans will make a fresh cup of coffee. Once you crack open a bag of beans and get a whiff of that lovely bitter coffee smell, you won’t ever go back to instant. However, keep in mind that coffee beans will lose their flavor over time if they are exposed for too long. Coffee beans are best immediately after roasting because they start to lose flavor after a couple of days. Keep them stored in a place free of moisture and sunlight and buy some tight jars to house them. You also need to select the right coffee beans for each coffee drink. For example, the best coffee for Cold Brew is coffee beans Arabica-rich. And for everybody's favorite espresso, you'll need a coffee that is at least 70% Arabica.

Don’t open a bag of fresh beans and then use the bag to store them because they will quickly lose their delicious flavor. Never store your beans in the fridge or refrigerator, and try to buy a small supply of fresh beans so that you always get a strong cup with plenty of flavors.

Water Matters

Don’t just boil tap water and assume it’s going to make a good brew. Buy some water filters and use filtered water to boil your coffee, or alternatively use a good quality bottled spring water for maximum flavor. Softened water and distilled water do not make a good cup of coffee due to the lack of minerals within it.