How to Custom Brew Your Perfect Coffee

Coffee drinkers and coffee lovers worldwide know that there is definitely nothing like taking in the freshly ground, freshly brewed cup of coffee customized to your sweetness preference and warmed to your taste. An effective perk-up morning solution sometimes, getting your perfect (or not-so-perfect) cup may very well just spell how you will face the rest of the day.

There are basic things to remember in making sure you get that perfect brew, including the following:

1. Custom-grind. Carefully read your coffee maker’s manual. This usually identifies which type of grind you should go for and use with your coffee maker. Finely-ground coffee can leave you with an extremely strong, jerky, and bitter cup. Meanwhile, coffee that has been grounded too coarse for your machine may give you a cup that is diluted, almost watery, and weak.

2. Pick the package. The flavor of your coffee can easily be affected by exposure to light and air. An old batch that has been in the stands so long may have little or weak flavor and aroma. When buying coffee, look for those packed in airtight vacuum containers or those who have valve vents in the packaging. These vents allow carbon dioxide to ooze out and keep air from getting in and damaging your coffee. It is always best to buy whole coffee beans instead of ground coffee as whole beans stay fresher longer, and it is always best to grind coffee beans minutes before it is brewed. This guarantees a fresher, stronger aroma in your cup.

3. Smart storage selection. The freezer is not always the best place to store your coffee. Exposing your coffee to extreme temperature storage then to a sudden increase in temperature with scalding water in the brew can destroy molecules and consequently affect its flavor. Often, the refrigerator – and not the freezer – is a better storage option for coffee bags that have already been opened. Always remember that the beans’ freshness is best retained when stored in airtight containers placed in a cool dark place.

4. Know your scoop. The number of scoops you place in your coffee maker usually depends on your strength preference, your bean origins, and your grind. On the average, just one to two tablespoons of ground coffee per serving is ideal. Adjust accordingly for a stronger or weaker blend.

5. Do not burn it. Brewed coffee left in the warming plate of your coffee maker could – believe it or not – burn. After brewing, turn the plate off to gradually reduce the heat in order to keep yourself form taking in the burnt brew. If you want it warm, drink your cup not more than five to 10 minutes after brewing.