Many mornings would be entirely unbearable if it wasn’t for
that cup of coffee getting you out of bed.
But just because you need it doesn’t mean you should settle for weak,
lukewarm wake-me-up. First, keep your
coffee in the freezer. Like any other
food, coffee beans, ground or un-ground, lose moisture and become stale if they
are left out in the open air. Next,
consider the amount of coffee relative to the amount of water.
The right amount of water
The commonly accepted ratio of cups of water
to tablespoons of ground coffee is 1:1.
This of course varies with taste, but works for most people. However, the water gauge that’s built in to
most coffee makers is often completely inaccurate. The little floating ball to the right of the
percolator is a liar. Instead of
trusting that, use a measuring cup or demarcated pitcher, and don’t even look
at the built-in gauge. Next, as you dump the coffee into the filter, make sure
that there aren’t any lumps or bumps, so that all of the grinds will be soaked
up and contribute to the flavor.
Keep it hot, tepid is torture
Finally, if you like your coffee with milk or cream, don’t just pour it
in straight out of the fridge. Pour the
right amount into a mug, and then heat the mug in the microwave for 30 or 40
seconds. The mug and the milk will be
warm when you add the coffee, keeping the drink from losing heat, and ensuring
a finer tasting cup of joe.