Does the perfect cup of coffee exist? It depends on who you ask! The perfect cup can be subjective and depend entirely on your personal taste preferences and preferred temperatures. Some people enjoy iced coffee over hot drinks. Others prefer their coffee warm but not cold, while for others, piping hot is the only way to go.
That being said, there are some things you can do to make the perfect cup of coffee, which can help you find the right beverage to enjoy each day.
Buy Fresh Beans
If you genuinely want to make the perfect cup of coffee, you need to buy fresh beans. Quality beans will come in a vacuum-sealed bag to preserve freshness, as factors such as the environment and oxygen can interfere with the flavor profile and impact the quality of the beans. Avoid mass-produced supermarket beans that don’t come in a vacuum-sealed package and instead look for specialty retailers who take pride in the coffee beans they sell.
Store Your Beans Correctly
There is a right way and a wrong way to store your beans to get the most flavor and enjoyment from them. Never keep your beans in the refrigerator; always keep them sealed for freshness. You can freeze your coffee beans in small amounts if you wish, but this can cause some complications and changes in how your coffee tastes upon using the beans. This post goes into more detail on How To Store Coffee Beans so you can ensure that you are aware of what to do and what not to do moving forward.
Choose Good Quality Coffee
Not everyone has limitless funds for exceptionally good coffee or to purchase accessories to facilitate making good coffee. But one good rule of thumb is choosing the best coffee you can afford. This will instantly make you a better cup of coffee. Check out sales and offers to help you afford higher quality beans or roasts to try out, but don’t be fooled into thinking you need to spend loads on coffee beans or equipment for the perfect cup of coffee; you simply should invest in the best quality you can afford.
Use Good Water
Did you know that the water you use can significantly impact the taste of your coffee? Poor quality tap water or water with high chlorine levels can detract from the flavor of your coffee. Instead, opt for bottled spring water or use water with activated charcoal or carbon filters. These choices will enhance the mineral content of your water, and in turn, your coffee drinking experience.
Don’t Over Boil Water
The perfect temperature for hot water for coffee is between 195℉ and 205℉, which is slightly below boiling. Never be tempted to pour boiling water into your coffee. You will ruin the flavor and potentially burn the beans, which will not be enjoyable at all.
In addition, reheating, reboiling, or keeping your coffee over prolonged heat sources to keep it hot for longer can impact the quality of the drink.
While not extensive, these top tips for the perfect coffee can help you navigate the minefield that is coffee to help you find the perfect coffee for you.
