How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee

There is one thing that most adults love first thing in the morning, a cup of good coffee. Nothing tastes better than a hot coffee, that is made well. There are a few things that go into great tasting coffee. I will explain what it needs to give you what you want, the best coffee possible.

First off, is the coffee grind, this is very important for a number of reasons. For starters you should realize that the finer the coffee grind, the more flavor that can be extracted from the same volume. It's important to buy the grind as fine as possible, or if you own your own coffee grinder that you grind it properly.

It is also important for you to follow the instructions outlined with your coffee maker or espresso machine. You should measure the water and coffee according to the number of cups you need to make, this will ensure you are adding the right amount of water in conjunction with the coffee grind. Another tip to consider, that many people don't realize is that if you reheat your coffee it will have a bitter taste. Coffee always tastes best when it is freshly made, reheating it the next day will give you less than favorable results.

I was mentioning the right amount of water to use, but it's also to important to use the right type of water. To get the best possible taste, you should use cold water that has been filtered through a water filter. Some people recommend actually using ice when brewing coffee, this is also supposed to enhance the flavor, never tried it myself though.

After the coffee is brewed, you add sugar but how much and what type? I recommend using light brown rather than refined white sugar, personally I think it gives the coffee a more enhanced flavor. Some people enjoy a little bit of milk in their coffee, make sure to warm up the milk, cold milk detracts from the hot coffee experience.

I have also read that adding just a pinch of salt to the coffee grounds will actually enhance the coffee flavor, this method is supposed to take out the bitterness out of your coffee. I haven't used that tip as of yet. And remember to clean your coffee machine thoroughly after after each and every use this will also give you a better tasting cup of coffee.

Lastly, the type of coffee bean you choose is very important. The coffee beans that you choose should be well roasted, not burned! For the best results I prefer to use 100% arabica beans, but this is just personal preference more than anything.

Chris Vorelli is a writer, providing info on all types of

Why Is Coffee Not My Cup Of Tea? Is It Stale?

In many cases it is due to over stocking. How does coffee get to the point of being stale? Stale coffee can leave a bad taste in your mouth, but if you buy coffee that is guaranteed fresh when you brew it then it will taste smooth and refreshing. Stale coffee itself is horrible to drink. After some research it a cured to me that the problem is lack of freshness, and coffee that was brewed hours ago. So what is giving coffee such a bad rap? In fact, fresh coffee is smooth and tasty even undoctored. Fresh coffee is never bitter. Most everyone that I have talked to that does not like coffee said that it is the bitter taste they don't like.

Another problem is over stocking. This is the main reason coffee gets to the point of being stale. Poor packaging is when the product is not properly sealed from the manufacture, or the seal is broken then the coffee is exposed to the air, which dries out the coffee.

What about coffee that was brewed 4 hours ago? If you were to brew a cup of coffee will be horrible. I have worked for a grocery store before and I have seen products stay on the shelves for months. Do you see the problem now? It can vary, but the average length is about 6 months. How long can coffee remain fresh in a vacuum-sealed container? The problem is they can sit on that coffee for month, or even years until it is sold. Many distributors of coffee buy by volume to get the coffee at a cheaper price. When a store over stocks there products the product sits longer on the shelf or in the back and over time the freshness fades away.

How fresh is your coffee? My wife hates coffee because of her first bad experience, and after I roasted her a fresh batch she admitted that it was really good and not bitter. If it is not fresh don't drink it. The coffee can have a burnt taste that is also bitter. In many cases the coffee appears thicker because the water is vaporized over time.

Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort?

Do you carry antacids with you every day? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Does your morning coffee cause you pain?

It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down. Heartburn is more than just a nuisance.

What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN?

A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers. Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease - also known as GERD. Why is this important?

Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO?

If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called 'acid rebound'. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms.

Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help.

Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates.

Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications.

Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy.

If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease.