As I sit at my typewriter this morning and pound out these words, I am enjoying a good cup of coffee. In a world apparently gone mad, coffee provides some degree of comfort. Coffee seems almost a supernatural beverage, imbued with mystic qualities. It’s like peace in a cup. No wonder that over one billion people around the globe enjoy coffee every day. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “this liquid is taking over the world!”
With coffee on my brain today, let me share nine practical ways to dramatically improve the taste and quality of your morning cup.
BUY SPECIALTY COFFEE – There are two basic types of coffee consumed on planet Earth, commodity coffee and specialty coffee. Commodity coffee is what you will find in your local grocery store (think Folger’s, etc.). 98% of coffee production worldwide falls into this category. Specialty coffee is higher quality, grown, harvested, and roasted with extra care. Specialty coffee (approx. 2% of world production) typically costs two to three times more than commodity coffee, but it is worth it. Specialty coffee tastes better. If you enjoy coffee and desire more than just a caffeine boost, then specialty coffee is for you. You can obtain specialty coffee from your local coffee roaster or coffee shop, or you can purchase it online.
WEIGH YOUR BEANS - For consistently good coffee, it is best to measure, or preferably, weigh your beans. Keep track of how much coffee you use each time you brew. Once you have determined what you like, you can duplicate that each day. Note – strength of coffee depends on the amount of coffee and the grind size you use when brewing. A good target is 60-70 grams per liter of water. But remember, the amount of coffee you use depends on your preference (I use 66g per liter of water, course grind for a French press).
GRIND YOUR COFFEE – Buy whole bean coffee and grind only what you need immediately before brewing. Coffee loses much of its flavor and aroma soon after grinding, so it is best to start with whole bean coffee (preferably organic). If you buy ground coffee, it will be stale right out of the bag. Using whole bean coffee and grinding right before brewing is probably the single best way to improve the quality and taste of your coffee.
USE GOOD WATER – Be sure to use good quality water when brewing your coffee. Avoid tap water. It’s best to use bottled or spring water, or well water if available. Nothing will taint or ruin your coffee faster than bad tasting water.
WATCH WATER TEMP – If you are using an automatic coffee maker, then this doesn’t apply to you. But if you are manually brewing your coffee (think French press or pour over) then this is important. For best coffee flavor, you want to get your extraction right.
If water is too cool, your coffee can taste sour. Too hot, and it can be bitter. Ideal temperature for brewing is 195-205 degrees F. I shoot for 200 degrees. If you don’t want the trouble of putting a thermometer in your water, simply take your water off boil and wait approx. 45 seconds. Once water stops bubbling, it should be just right.
LET COOL for FIVE MINUTES – If you can wait just a bit for your coffee to cool (five minutes is perfect), it will taste better. Flavor is best when coffee is slightly cooled.
DRINK FROM CERAMIC – If you can drink from a ceramic mug or thermos, your coffee will taste noticeably better.
Metal and other materials can alter the taste of coffee. Simple old fashioned diner mugs are great, or you can use a ceramic-lined travel mug (the Fellow company makes great ceramic travel mugs).
CONSIDER BREWING METHOD – Try a variety of brewing methods to expand your coffee experience and find what you really like.
My favorite is still the French press (brew time exactly four minutes).
BECOME a COFFEE STUDENT – If you enjoy coffee, you might consider becoming a coffee student. Learn about coffee. As Napoleon Dynamite would say, improve your “skills.”
It has never been easier to acquire knowledge than it is today. You can become a relative coffee expert in no time and impress your friends and family (think YouTube videos on coffee).
A comforting cup of coffee in the morning provides a great way to start your day.
Try these tips and drink up!
typewriterweekly.com © 2023 Jody Dyer
