Coffee connoisseurs spend hours sifting through the multitude of choices and attempting to find the absolute best way to brew a perfect cup. Luckily, all that is required is a few minutes in the morning or afternoon for a delicious cup of coffee. The process takes only a fraction of a second, making it perfect for any time of day or any place.
The first step in preparing a perfect cup of coffee is giving special focus to the roasting process. Coffee beans are roasted prior to being brewed into a cup of coffee. The method of roasting varies based on the taste and roast preference of the individual.
The bag, or pot, is used to store the coffee until it is ready to use. It is important to note that coffee that has been ground to a powder or an espresso consistency will be difficult to use with the hand held grinder and bagged coffee machine. At this point, the bean will contain about two-thirds of its weight. Thus, no matter how finely ground the coffee is, it will not be as useful when it is heated or brewed.
The ideal way to prepare this type of coffee is to buy ground coffee at the supermarket and simply grind it in the normal manner. It is important to note that you should not attempt to heat the coffee before grinding. This is because the ground coffee is more sticky than powder. Also, the espresso coffee that has been ground will have slightly darker shade and a stronger flavor when used. All you have to do is place it in a filter and enjoy the pleasant and delicious aroma of the freshly ground coffee.
Once the ground coffee is ready, it should be put into the pot or mug which will serve as the brewing device, preferably a coffee machine. Some people like to use a tea bag to get the freshly ground beans into their brewing apparatus. Some people prefer to use the AeroPress and a proper filter to get the finely ground beans into the brewing apparatus. While the AeroPress does come with a filter, it should be turned to only the bottom third of the filter to filter out any ground beans.
A second important step in preparing a quality cup of coffee is to allow the coffee to steep long enough in order to allow the flavors to come out. By removing the grounds from the pot or mug prior to brewing, this process does not take nearly as long as other methods. A simple change in method of preparation is to place a packet of instant coffee in the pot prior to brewing. This allows the grounds to quickly soak into the coffee and brew at the same time.
The final step in preparing a cup of coffee is to add milk and sugar to taste. Do not add whipped cream, as this may lead to an unbalanced taste. Lastly, just before serving, put the coffee in a glass. If serving it hot, place a very little amount of cream in the glass, otherwise it will be too hot and may actually ruin the taste. A great tip for making a hot drink is to make sure that the coffee is still very hot prior to serving so that it is enjoyed on the spot and not served room temperature.
While there are many ways to prepare a perfect cup of coffee, each different person will have a slightly different way to prepare a perfect cup of coffee. The important thing is to find the method that is both effective and delicious. Enjoy your cup of coffee!