The Coffee Experience

By Teresa Opdycke

Good morning means a cup of hot coffee to millions of Americans. According to the National Coffee Association, the number of Americans drinking coffee sometime during the day hovers around the 30 million mark. How many of those millions are truly savoring a well-brewed cup of coffee? How many know how to brew a really great cup of coffee? Creating a coffee Nirvana at home may be the best way to experience the morning ritual called coffee.

The equipment needed to brew up a morning coffee experience begins with a coffee maker. There are styles and brands and prices ranges for everyone, and the best coffee maker is a personal preference. There are specialty coffee makers like cappuccino makers or espresso machines. There are automatic drip coffee makers, semi-automatic coffee machines, and super automatics that do it all for you and tend to be of higher quality. Do some research and figure out what your requirements are for the coffee machine that best suits you within your price range.

Now it's time to purchase a coffee grinder; remember, you're not going to just drink a cup of morning coffee, you're going to experience it. Coffee grinders chop the whole beans into the grade that you feel brews up the best coffee. It may take a few times using the coffee grinder before you prefect the grind to your unique taste palate. Use three grinds as a simple gauge: coarse grinds are for plungers or French presses. The medium grind is used by most people preparing coffee in a percolator or coffee maker. If espresso is your thing, you'll need a fine grind. The smaller the grains of coffee, the stronger the coffee will be.

It's bean time. You could buy pre-ground coffee packaged months ago, but again, this isn't about any old cup of joe, this is about getting the most you can from the swirling rich brown liquid in your favorite mug. Beans come in a wide array of flavors and roasts. Experimenting is the only way to discover your favorite. Try a different bean and a different roast each week, but only buy enough for one week. Buying in bulk means the coffee will be old, and if you want the best, then fresh is where it's at. Store the coffee beans and any extra ground coffee in an air tight container in a dark cupboard that stays between 50 and 70 degrees.

It's gotta be clean. Keep your coffee maker scrupulously clean. After each use, clean the coffee maker with baking soda and water. Make sure the carafe, as well as the filter, is clean. Once a month run water and vinegar through the machine to keep it clean and bright.

Start with fresh water. Using water straight from tap is likely to contain minerals that will take away from the taste. Fresh water ensures good quality flavor, so opt for bottled water or tap water that has been purified. Some folks like a strong cup of coffee and others prefer a lighter flavor. For a good cup of coffee, start out with 1 or 2 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee for every 6 ounces of purified water. You can adjust the amounts as you discover your unique taste preferences. Make sure the coffee never boils, but you do want the water to boil. Let it cool down until it reaches approximately 195-205 degrees F.

A bit about filters - gold or stainless steel filters make the best cup of coffee. The flavor of coffee filtered through paper can be affected by the bleach, chlorine or dyes used to make the filter white. If you must use paper, use only unbleached paper filters. Taste reigns supreme for a truly tasteful coffee experience.

Coffee making to most is pouring a few tablespoons of prepackaged, pre-ground coffee into a coffee maker and calling it good. By following a few coffee making steps, your coffee ritual will be rewarded with rich flavors. Taking the time to create a coffee experience fills you with flavorful rise and shines that say good morning with a delicious brew.

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