1. Grind Your Own Beans
Buying ground coffee may be convenient, but you’re compromising the flavor. The beans can lose freshness quickly when they are pre-ground. Not only that, but you could be buying coffee that isn’t ground to the correct size for your coffee or espresso maker. Instead, investing in a grinder can make a huge impact on the taste of your homemade coffee and espresso beverages.
2. Check the Water Temperature
Are you using boiling water (212°F) to make coffee? That may not actually be the best water temperature for your grounds. Coffee can taste too bitter when the water temperature is too high, and it can taste too acidic if the water isn’t quite high enough. Instead, aim for water heated to between 195°F and 205°F.
3. Try “Blooming”
If you drink pour over coffee, you should try blooming your grounds the next time you make coffee. Blooming is a way to degas the extra carbon dioxide in the grounds, allowing the flavor of the coffee to become more pronounced. To bloom, pour just a bit of hot water over the coffee grounds, enough to soak them without starting to actually make a pot of coffee. Let the grounds bubble for about 30 seconds, then make your coffee as usual.
4. Heat the Mug First
There’s nothing good about lukewarm coffee. You either want it piping hot or icy cold. To keep your coffee warm for longer, heat the mug while your coffee is brewing. Depending on the mug material, you can heat it for a few seconds in the microwave or simply dunk it in hot water. If you have a self-heating mug or mug-warming coaster, you can also start warming that device up before pouring your coffee.
5. Make Your Own Flavored Coffee
Buying a pumpkin-spiced or hazelnut-flavored coffee can be fun, but a lot of times, those products use added flavoring to give some new life to old beans. If you want flavored coffee, try making your own blends at home. After grinding the coffee, sprinkle in cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves or any number of your favorite spices. Feel free to have fun and experiment until you find a blend you love.
6. Keep Your Coffee Maker Clean
Whether you prefer a classic drip coffee or freshly brewed espresso, a clean coffee maker ensures you’re not contaminating your coffee with musty old bean remains or worse, mold or mildew. Coffee pots, French presses and pour-over coffee makers can be cleaned daily. Coffee grinders should be cleaned about twice per month, while coffee and espresso machines can be deep-cleaned about once per month.
7. Opt for High-Quality Ingredients
Even splurging on good coffee beans and distilled water can save you money in the long run compared to ordering coffee at a cafe every morning, so go ahead and treat yourself. When looking for good coffee, make sure the beans were roasted within the past two weeks for the freshest flavor. The roast date should be on the bag.
