1)
Start with Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans. It’s better to grind
them, as you need them, as this will preserve their natural oils.
Don’t overbuy. Generally, you should not keep your beans
longer than two weeks. Do not store in refrigerator, as they will
absorb odors from other foods.
2) Use Cold Fresh Water. Filtered if possible.
3)
Grind your coffee that best fits the coffee maker you are using.
Different grinds for different types of coffee makers. The coarser
the grind, more time is needed for brewing. The finer the grind,
shorter time is needed for brewing. Espresso is ground fine because
the water is passed threw the coffee very fast. For Electric perk
or a French press, the grind is coarse because the brewing time
is much greater.
4) When it comes to coffee, more is not always better. Using the right amount of coffee is one of the most important steps in a great cup coffee. My rule of thumb for measuring, one oversized tablespoon for every two-cup mark on your coffee pot. This is about two level tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water. Coffee is a matter of taste. So use this as a benchmark and add or subtract the amount of coffee according to your taste.
5) If you’re like most people, you’re using a drip
coffee machine. Every now and then, you should clean out the residue
build-up that occurs from everyday use. Mix about 12 ounces of
white vinegar with 24 ounces of cold water and brew without using
a filter. Next, fill coffee pot to the highest level with cold
water and brew once more.
6)
I like using the gold filter in my drip machine. It’s a
permanent filter you clean out after every use. In the long run,
you save on paper and money. Also, you get more of the natural
oils that a paper filter absorbs.
7) Brew only for the amount you will drink in a short period of
time. If you're not using a thermos coffee pot for your drip coffee,
after 20-30 minutes, your coffee will start to cook. A thermos
is good for keeping the flavor of the coffee longer, but it will
start losing its heat after about a half an hour.