A lot of people make a cup of joe each morning and never realize that it does not taste nearly as good as it would if they stopped making a few common mistakes. It doesn't matter how you make your brew. Using an electric coffeemaker, stove top model, or any other method, it can be done wrong quite easily. Here are the top five most common coffee brewing mistakes made by most people.
Probably the number one most often made mistake is to use too few grounds. Desirable flavors are extracted from grounds, but as these flavors are depleted, some more bitter compounds can start to come through. This can be avoided by using enough grounds so that the desirable flavors do not get depleted and the bitter flavors never come through. Some people like a weaker flavor, but using too few grounds will result in a bitter beverage.
Using too many grounds can be a problem too. This can result in a beverage that is far too concentrated and buries the flavor. To find that ideal medium might take some experimentation, but in general about one heaping tablespoon is needed for every cup.
Another very common problem is the use of stale grounds. Most people would be surprised to find out that coffee goes stale very quickly, especially when it is already ground and no longer in bean form. Storing grounds in an opaque container to keep them away from light can help to keep them fresh. Also store them in a dry, cool area. Even properly stored grounds do not keep all that long, so buy smaller containers more often rather than keeping a large container around for a long time.
Another mistake is to let a pot of coffee sit on a hot plate or burner too long. Already brewed java goes stale within 45 minutes, whether it is kept warm or not. Also, leaving it on the hot plate can cause the beverage to burn to the bottom of the carafe, resulting in a burnt flavor and a mess to clean.
Another common mistake is to overdo the additives. Milk, sugar, and other products can be a good complement to the flavor of a cup of java. If overdone, however, they will overpower that flavor.
All of these coffee brewing mistakes are commonly practiced. Most people don't realize that just a couple adjustments to their techniques could result in a much better brew. Avoid these five issues and your morning beverage will become even more satisfying than it was before.
Probably the number one most often made mistake is to use too few grounds. Desirable flavors are extracted from grounds, but as these flavors are depleted, some more bitter compounds can start to come through. This can be avoided by using enough grounds so that the desirable flavors do not get depleted and the bitter flavors never come through. Some people like a weaker flavor, but using too few grounds will result in a bitter beverage.
Using too many grounds can be a problem too. This can result in a beverage that is far too concentrated and buries the flavor. To find that ideal medium might take some experimentation, but in general about one heaping tablespoon is needed for every cup.
Another very common problem is the use of stale grounds. Most people would be surprised to find out that coffee goes stale very quickly, especially when it is already ground and no longer in bean form. Storing grounds in an opaque container to keep them away from light can help to keep them fresh. Also store them in a dry, cool area. Even properly stored grounds do not keep all that long, so buy smaller containers more often rather than keeping a large container around for a long time.
Another mistake is to let a pot of coffee sit on a hot plate or burner too long. Already brewed java goes stale within 45 minutes, whether it is kept warm or not. Also, leaving it on the hot plate can cause the beverage to burn to the bottom of the carafe, resulting in a burnt flavor and a mess to clean.
Another common mistake is to overdo the additives. Milk, sugar, and other products can be a good complement to the flavor of a cup of java. If overdone, however, they will overpower that flavor.
All of these coffee brewing mistakes are commonly practiced. Most people don't realize that just a couple adjustments to their techniques could result in a much better brew. Avoid these five issues and your morning beverage will become even more satisfying than it was before.
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