Coffee: Brewing the Perfect Cup

There's nothing that wakes me up like the smell of fresh roasted coffee brewing at the crack of dawn. Fortunately, I have an automatic coffee pot that allows me to set the time of brewing to ensure that I wake up pleasantly refreshed with the aroma of hazelnut and vanilla swirling through the air. However, knowing how to brew the perfect cup of coffee is something that is often taken for granted and overlooked. That is until your guests take a sip of your java brew and grimace in displeasure. It's then that you may realize that you'd be better off running to the closest Starbucks then offering the muddy concoction you've been passing off as coffee. Here are some tips that will ensure that the coffee you serve will be delicious to the taste and refreshing to the mind and spirit.

The first key ingredient to brewing the perfect cup of coffee is freshness. There is no way around it. If you expect your coffee to taste great, it must be fresh. The best way to make certain that your coffee is fresh is to grind the beans yourself. You can take this one step further and roast your own beans by purchasing a coffee roaster as well. Coffee beans are green before roasting and these are the freshest source, however if you purchase coffee beans already roasted you must make sure that you keep them fresh. Roasted coffee beans should be stored in sealed airtight containers, as they will begin to lose freshness (and taste) within ten days. Once you have selected and carefully stored your coffee beans, the next step is to choose water.

Tap water is never recommended for brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Using spring or bottled water will produce the best results, however you can always use a purifying system (or even a purifying pitcher) to filter out impurities from tap water. It is also a good idea to keep the water that you are going to use refrigerated until making your pot of coffee. Once your coffee beans are grounded and you have purified water, you will need to measure. It is recommended to use two tablespoons of coffee grounds per six ounces of water. Here is where you can add a little more variation. Trial and error will let you know your own personal preference and you can add a pinch more coffee grounds if you prefer, however you'll find that most people will be satisfied and refreshed with a cup of coffee brewed at the measurement of two tablespoons coffee grounds per six ounces of water.

Finally, the last tip to brewing the perfect cup of coffee is to never brew more than you will be drinking within half an hour. After thirty minutes, the coffee will lose its flavor. Under no circumstance, should you reheat coffee in the microwave. Make enough coffee to satisfy for thirty minutes, and if in need brew another pot. You will appreciate the freshness!