| Every "aficionado" is on the quest to prepare the | | | | buildup of minerals in your coffee maker. If you do |
| perfect cup of coffee. They search the stores for | | | | choose to use tap water, let it run for a few minutes |
| various beans, experiment with different roasts and an | | | | to clear out any impurities that might be stored in the |
| assortment of different methods of brewing, all with | | | | pipes. If at all possible, start with the coldest water |
| the intent to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. Now | | | | available. |
| your quest is ended, you have found exactly what you | | | | If you want that perfect cup then grinding your own |
| need to know in making a delightful cup of coffee. | | | | beans is really the only way to go. The oils that are |
| To begin with, wash out all your coffee making | | | | released when a coffee bean is ground are very |
| equipment thoroughly. This includes the grinder and the | | | | volatile and tend to dissipate very quickly. For this |
| coffee maker, from top to bottom. Residue from | | | | reason, it's best to grind the beans right before they |
| previous cups of coffee can turn stale and subtly | | | | are used. There are plenty of small, inexpensive |
| change the flavor of your next brew. If you clean the | | | | grinders that can be used to make your daily cup of |
| equipment after every use, you will avoid this problem | | | | coffee ' or you can purchase a combination coffee |
| and will have made the first step towards brewing | | | | grinder/maker where the beans are ground "in situ" |
| your perfect cup of coffee. | | | | and deposited directly into the container underneath, |
| Next, buy from a top quality supplier the freshest | | | | and then the coffee-maker takes over. |
| coffee beans that they have. That does NOT include | | | | To spread the tiny particles of coffee evenly through |
| your supermarket! There are many coffee suppliers | | | | the brew you must stir the pot of coffe before |
| that can be recommended who have the freshest, | | | | serving, then you will provide the perfect cup each |
| high quality beans available. It is also important that you | | | | time you pour. You will find many people who will tell |
| don't buy too many beans at a time. While you may | | | | you that most coffee lovers actually drink their coffee |
| get a discount for buying in bulk, the beans will be too | | | | in a diluted form. The correct ratio of coffee beans to |
| old by the time you get around to using them, so stick | | | | water is exactly 2 tablespoons of coffe beans to one |
| to small quantities that you can use up within a month | | | | cup of water. |
| or less. | | | | By following the above steps, you will have |
| Another very important factor in how your coffee | | | | accomplished the "piece de resistance" of the coffee |
| tastes is the water used. Tap water will pass on any | | | | world -- a cup of coffee that is just right, perfect in |
| taste that it has to your beverage. To get the best | | | | flavor, in texture and in color. |
| results, use distilled water. This will also prevent the | | | | |