5 Tips for Making a Great Pot of Coffee

Do you love coffee, but hate when it tastes bad? Most coffee drinkers look forward to a hot cup of fresh joe at least once a day. It's so disappointing when the coffee smells good and then when it hits your tongue you just want to spit it out. You don't have to be a rocket scientist either to make a great cup of coffee, it's actually really easy. If you're tired of workplace coffee that just tastes like crap or you buy brand name coffee and it just doesn't taste the same at home these tips might help you out. Here are five helpful suggestions for making a really good pot of coffee.

Clean Coffee Pot and Clean Water
The best way to make a decent cup of joe is to start with clean supplies. It's my guess that many coffee drinkers and workplaces don't wash the daily coffee pot as often as they should. After brewing just one pot of coffee there is usually some kind of residue inside the machine and coffee urn. This residue builds up over time, even with one use and can make the next pot taste like crap. It is best to wash the coffee pot and machine with each use in order to maintain the freshest possible brew. Whether you use a press, percolator, or drip coffee pot after each use take the machine apart and wash with hot water and soap. It is easier to clean all the parts of a press or percolator but even with a drip machine you can get most of the parts pretty clean. Just be careful when washing the actual machine of a drip coffee maker because many models cannot be submerged in water.

After the coffee pot is clean and dry the next step is to use clean water for the brew. Impurities in tap water can make even the highest quality coffee taste bad. If you really want a great cup of coffee use bottled or filtered water to fill the pot. Avoid using water that has added fluoride, vitamins, or other enhancements because it can make the coffee taste weird. A gallon of store brand water is usually clean enough to make a decent brew but you can buy more expensive water if you prefer.

Filters and Coffee Makers
Coffee pots that require the use of a paper filter, in my opinion actually take away from the natural coffee flavor. Besides, many coffee filters are bleached white which can be bad for your health over time and may change the taste of the coffee. If your coffee maker requires you to use a paper filter opt for a natural filter or get a replacement basket that has a screen in it. If you use a basket with a screen you will not need a paper filter and you can even buy replacements that fit a drip coffee maker. If you prefer, and can afford it just throw out your drip machine and get a percolator or coffee press. Percolators and coffee presses don't usually need paper filters. Just be cautious and avoid percolators that boil the coffee because it will end up tasting bad anyway.

Coffee Quality
The quality of the coffee you buy will definitely make a difference in the way the coffee tastes. You don't have to run out and buy the most expensive brand of coffee you can find, but buying a decent brand will help improve your chances of making a great brew. Some store brands of coffee actually taste better than the expensive ones but it may take a few times of trial and error to figure out what kind of coffee you want. Generally speaking the coarser the grind of the coffee the weaker the brew is going to be, and vice versa. I prefer dark, super strong coffee so I buy a fine ground espresso mix and brew it in a percolator. I've been told my coffee could probably take paint off sheet metal, but I love it like that! Buy the best coffee you can afford and use a generous amount for brewing. If you don't add enough coffee to the basket you will end up with brown water that tastes nothing like coffee; put too much in and it will melt the spoon before you finish stirring in your condiments.

Milk, Cream, or Creamer?
Some coffee drinkers prefer milk, others prefer cream, and the rest usually use some sort of liquid or powdered creamer. Depending on how you like your coffee, this part is entirely up to personal preference. Myself, I like to use heavy whipping cream in my coffee because it makes the coffee thick and rich. Heavy cream when shaken first will also add a bit of froth to the top of the cup without actually whipping up the coffee. In my opinion liquid and powdered creamers and junk and should not be considered a coffee additive, but if you like go for it. Prepare your coffee in your own personal style and you should be happy.

Freshness Makes All the Difference
Brewing fresh coffee, using clean water, and drinking the coffee when first brewed is your best bet if you want a great cup of joe. After brewing your coffee you should also turn off the coffee pot completely. In many workplaces the coffee sits on the burner all day, burning and boiling away. With a pot that been turned on for hours, the coffee usually tastes bad within an hour of brewing. If you must reheat the coffee, use a microwave or pour a cup into a pan and reheat on the stove. You may also want to refrigerate your unused coffee to help keep the freshness locked in, but for the most part coffee tastes better when it is first made. Using a coffee press will also help you get the freshest cup possible because most presses can only make 2-4 cups of joe at a time, helping to eliminate wasted coffee.

By following some or all of these tips you should be making much better tasting coffee in no time! Good luck!