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