How to Make Coffee

If you want to learn how to make coffee and make a perfect cup of coffee every single time, here are a few tips, ideas, and considerations to keep in mind to get that perfect cup of java you've been craving.

How to Make Coffee - Start Out with High Quality Water

It's important that you start out with high quality water. Distilled, bottled, or filtered water are best for making your coffee. This way you can be sure that minerals are removed from the water, since they can take away from the flavor of your coffee.

Most serious coffee drinkers don't use tap water for their coffee, and you'll get a better taste if you choose pure water. It may be okay to use tap water if you know it's coming from a good artesian well or you happen to have a filter on the faucet. Usually you'll find that bottled water or distilled water makes the best choice for coffee flavor and for a clean machine.

Of course not only is the quality of the water important if you want to make great coffee, the temperature of the water is important as well. If you heat the water too much, going above the boiling point, then you'll end up with coffee that tastes on the bitter side.

However, on the other hand, if you use water that is too cool, you may end up with weak tasting coffee. So, water temperature is definitely important and can change the way your coffee tastes.

The Importance of Good Coffee Beans

In order to make the best pot of coffee you need quality coffee beans. You should purchase beans that come from a supplier that is reputable and you'll also want to make sure that the beans are kept in airtight packages as well.

Even after you open the package, it is important that you avoid letting your coffee beans come into any contact with air. Make sure that you store them in a container that is airtight, and only grind enough beans for the amount of coffee you are planning on making.

You'll want to purchase a good coffee maker grinder that will let you grind your beans to various levels of coarseness. A burr coffee grinder is the best and it will grind your coffee in a way that it will work well with the type of brewer you want to use. The grind does make a difference in the taste as well.

For a French Press a coarse grind works well, while medium grind is great for most drip brewers that are available. If you are going for espresso, then you'll want a fine grind. If you're going to make Turkish coffee, you'll need a different type of grinder.

Measuring Your Coffee Correctly

As a general rule start with approximately two tablespoons of coffee grounds for every six ounces of liquid that you are using. Of course you have to consider the extraction method, the roast, and the grind of the coffee as well when you're deciding how much to use. If you like your coffee weaker you can start with less coffee and adjust it until you find the right amount for your tastes.

Using Equipment that is Clean

One thing that very few people think about when they want to know how to make coffee is their equipment. It is so important that you keep your equipment clean if you plan on brewing coffee that tastes good.

Just rinsing out your equipment with hot water is not enough. The oils from the coffee can stick to the equipment and start going bad, which can add a bitter taste to your coffee.

Make sure that you use soap and hot water to cleanse your coffee equipment; however, you should definitely make sure that you rinse it will in hot water to get rid of all the soap.

Brewing Times

Brewing times can make a difference in your coffee taste when you are learning how to make coffee as well. Some drip coffee machines let you adjust the brewing time but not all of them.

If yours doesn't have that option, you may want to use a French Press Coffee Maker which allows you control of the brewing time. Usually about 3-5 minutes is the best amount of time to brew your coffee for tasty results when you are using a French Press.

There may be a little more to learning how to make coffee than you thought, but by using these simple tips, you can ensure that you get a great cup of coffee every time.

So, remember to pick out quality beans, use pure and clean water, and measure out the coffee the right way. Going with the correct brewing times and using clean equipment is important as well.

Combine all these things together and you'll get a tasty cup of java you'll be able to enjoy with pleasure.