Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

It was Sanka for God's sake! What was wrong with a ten year old drinking coffee? I remember sitting in a restaurant with my mother and stepfather asking a waitress for Sanka, and explaining to my mother that I'd had it before and avoiding her disapproving stare. All I remember is that it was powdered and freeze dried and worst of all, decaf. I'm sorry to say that I do. Do you remember your first experience with coffee?

If I asked a girl out for a cup of coffee, it usually meant a Styrofoam cup at a Dunkin' Donuts or a Winchell's somewhere. Coffee; suffice it to say that there was no passion in my coffee. Mixing Tasters Choice in tepid tap water, graduating to Maxwell House and a Mr. My remaining experiences between ten and thirty five were noncommittal and mediocre to say the least.

Back then I was into science fiction and I remember vividly reading 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card while sipping some of the most wonderful coffee from a paper cup. There, I was able to sit in one of their comfortable armchairs, sit back, cross my legs and enjoy a cup of joe while reading a good book. Complete comfort. The most important thing to me was the feeling I got when I walked in there. It was a combination bookstore and coffee shop called the Upstart Crow in San Diego, California. Now that I remember well. Then I stepped into my first Specialty Coffee Shop.

sigh... then I left San Diego for Atlanta and it was back to Maxwell House and Sanka. I spent many a day off sitting in that shop in Seaport Village... Rich and smooth, I fell into it's flavor; jumped actually. Oh that coffee!

I was sent to their training center for intensive classes teaching not only how to promote the product, but how to differentiate the taste between two coffees and most importantly, how to brew the perfect cup of coffee! I was hired and that's where my obsession with coffee renewed itself. Then, simply because I was unemployed and late with the rent I walked into a local Starbucks and asked for an application.

The Fundamentals of Coffee

All coffee, no matter whether you get it from your local coffee shop or the supermarket has four basic fundamentals:

Proportion

Grind

Water

Freshness

Let's look at each of these one by one...

Proportion

The ratio between coffee and water is an important one. Anyone who's ever had coffee that's too weak or too strong knows what I'm talking about. When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the proportion should be two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. No more no less. A lot of people try to stretch their coffee for two weeks or more without realizing what a sacrifice to the taste this is. Use too little coffee and it tastes weak. Use too much and it becomes bitter and you risk a terrible nights sleep.

The best way to measure two tablespoons is with a measuring scoop. There are scoops that are specifically measured for two tablespoons but if you don't have one made especially for coffee measuring then you can use a standard 18 cup measuring cup. If you don't have that you can use regular run of the mill tablespoons, but that method isn't as precise. If you want to purchase a coffee scoop, you can get one at a specialty coffee shop or online. Starbucks is a good place to get one.

Grind

The type of grind you use for your coffee depends upon what kind of coffee maker you brew your coffee in. If you use an espresso machine you use a fine grind. For automatic drip coffee makers (such as Mr. Coffee), you use a medium grind and you use a coarse grind for coffee presses (my preferred way of brewing). There are other grinds as well, just as there are other ways to brew coffee such as percolators and Turkish coffees.

If were going to talk about the way a coffee is ground, then we also have to talk about grinders. Basically there are two types of grinders: blade and burr Blade grinders have two blades that rotate at a high speed to grind your beans. The pros of this method is that blade grinders are affordable. The cons are that they generally break down quicker.

Burr grinders grind the beans between two textured plates and the grind is much more consistent than a blade grinder. Also, it's easier to adjust the grind with a burr grinder. To get an espresso grind with a blade grinder, you have to hold the grind button for x amount of seconds. A burr grinder allows you to turn a dial and voila! Your grind is done. Obviously, I prefer a burr grinder.

Water

It's pretty much a good idea to use fresh, clean water to brew your coffee. If at all possible, try not to use tap water; you should always use filtered or bottled water. Before you begin screaming at me that you don't have that kind of money, don't worry. Yes, using nothing but bottled water is not exactly cost effective but there are inexpensive water filters available to purchase. Water filtration pitchers are also a good way to get fresh water for brewing.

Your water should be heated to just below boiling, around 190 degrees. You don't want your water to be too hot. It could overheat the grounds and spoil the taste of your coffee.

Freshness

This is pretty obvious. Once a bag is opened, the freshness lasts about a week. After grinding, it lasts about two days. The best way to keep your beans and ground coffee fresher longer is to keep it in an airtight container like the one shown here. And never, ever freeze your coffee no matter what you've heard or read. Coffee that is frozen is a high risk for freezer burn and take it from one who has experienced the horror: freezer burnt coffee is not a great taste!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and Happy Brewing! Well those are the basics.

never drink tap water again the benefits of bottled water

Nowadays, in most American cities, before tap water is pushed through the pipes to homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, the public utility company processes the water to remove harmful contaminants. Although it is reassuring that most water companies have taken steps to make sure the water coming into our homes is clean enough and safe for drinking, those same companies allowed unclean water to be piped there in the first place. For years and years many of us went to the tap to drink water without ever thinking about what could possibly be lurking there. During the processing stage, water companies treat the water and other contaminants, find their way into our water through the very pipes that bring them into our neighborhood homes and businesses. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or your office you may be surprised and concerned about what you see. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. It is difficult to determine whether your home or business pipe system is safe. Sometimes a chemical taste or a distinctive odor of chlorine can be detected when drinking tap water. Pipes can have unknown leaks or breaks which allow environmental pollutants to infiltrate the water, or pipes can be encased in materials that can leech harmful substances into the water as it is carried to its destination. Most healthy people with strong immune systems will not experience serious health problems from drinking these contaminants, and that is a potential reason water companies can get away with low standards. However, the elderly, children, and people whose immune systems are not healthy can be especially vulnerable to the harmful affects of the contaminants found in tap water. These individuals should not drink water from a tap unless a filter has been installed, however the safest solution is to avoid tap water altogether. Filters installed on faucet taps do filter out many, but not all contaminates found in tap water. A healthier alternative for you and your family is to use bottled water in place of the tap water that you have been using for drinking, brewing coffee, adding to food and drink mixes, cooking, brushing teeth, bathing, and even for providing water to your pets. When you dine out, insist that the restaurant use bottled water when preparing and cooking your meals and that any water brought to the table for drinking is from bottled water. There is no reason to place your health and the health of your family at risk by dining at establishments that use tap water for cooking and for customers to drink at their table. The manufacturers of bottled water work under the strictest of standards. Before it can be offered for sale to consumers as "bottled water", the water must be as contaminate-free as possible. There are multiple steps involved in the processing of water intended for human consumption before it can bottled and made for sale. The containers used to hold the water during transit to selling points or storage are designed to maintain the integrity of the water until it is consumed. These strict standards are followed and met before the bottled water can be offered for sale to consumers. This may indicate that the manufacturing of bottled water is not easy on the bottling companies, but it ensures that the highest quality standards are being met and that consumers have a healthier choice made available to them in the water they drink for refreshment and for health. Give your body and health the benefits of bottled water and never drink tap water again. The fact is your body needs water, 8 to 10 servings of at least 8 ounces each, every day for survival and proper body and organ functions. If you are getting enough vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat or from vitamin supplements, you may not be interested in the new varieties containing vitamins with minerals added to them. Many top manufacturers of bottled water even further.

Nowadays, in most American cities, before tap water is pushed through the pipes to homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, the public utility company processes the water to remove harmful contaminants. Although it is reassuring that most water companies have taken steps to make sure the water coming into our homes is clean enough and safe for drinking, those same companies allowed unclean water to be piped there in the first place. For years and years many of us went to the tap to drink water without ever thinking about what could possibly be lurking there.During the processing stage, water companies treat the water and other contaminants, find their way into our water through the very pipes that bring them into our neighborhood homes and businesses.If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or your office you may be surprised and concerned about what you see. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. It is difficult to determine whether your home or business pipe system is safe. Sometimes a chemical taste or a distinctive odor of chlorine can be detected when drinking tap water. Pipes can have unknown leaks or breaks which allow environmental pollutants to infiltrate the water, or pipes can be encased in materials that can leech harmful substances into the water as it is carried to its destination.If you are getting enough vitamins and minerals to boost the healthful benefits of bottled water now offer varieties of bottled water now offer varieties of bottled water now offer varieties of bottled water now offer varieties of bottled water and never drink tap water again. Many top manufacturers of bottled water even further.

my first keurig

I was initially skeptical when a good friend mentioned that I must purchase a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Brewer. Greg, who unfortunately lives out of town, is the same friend who's opinion I trusted most. With a little online research and a lot of assurance from him, I decided to purchase the Special Edition B60 Single Cup Coffee Brewer. Now with the machine and its many varieties of coffee, tea and cocoa packets in my possession, I was ready to start brewing.
Since my past consisted of only owning multi-cup drip coffee makers, I was excited to realize my days of chugging hours old sludge were over. I always despised making a full jug of four, eight or twelve cups of coffee each day, just to pour the majority away hours later. What a waste. In the present, my life has changed with the Keurig Single Cup, brewing one delicious hot cup of coffee or tea at a time. It's been 10 years since the introduction of the innovative Keurig single-cup brewing system. Sometimes I'm slow in realizing new advancements and the Keurig is no exception. Since you can't make up lost time, I shall move forward with my large variety of coffees, teas, and cocoas and start making some delicious treats.
Let us first start with the type of water to use. Tap water is fine, however I suggest bottled spring water if you want a better tasting coffee. Next, you will have to shop for the patented Keurig K-cups. They offer more than 190 varieties of coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. Varieties of coffee from light to extra bold, flavored, decaffeinated, half-caffeinated, to full caffeine all from famous name blends. Several different varieties of tea are also available, as well as Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa. My favorites included Emerils Big Easy Bold Coffee with its invigorating deep smokey flavor, and the Celestial Seasonings Decaffeinated Green Tea with its smooth flavor and natural goodness using a compound that occurs naturally in the tea leaves. I found the full-bodied brew of this green tea an evening delight, relaxing me prior to bedtime.
Now that you made your choice of coffee or tea, all you have to do is turn on the brewer, and fill with the desired amount of water. The brewer will notify you when the right amount of water is in the machine. Place a single serve cup beneath, choose your cup size and hit brew button. Wow, this is simple! In less than a minute the Keurig well say when the cup of coffee or tea is ready. After using the coffee maker cup the manufacturer recommends, you can rinse out the machine by brewing a cup of hot water without a K-cup. This ensures a perfect cup for the next person who may choose a different flavor. This is especially helpful for the Keurig coffee maker in the office. Speaking of office, now I know where i'll put my Second Keurig Coffee Maker . If I only had a summer home. Before I forget, I must once again thank Greg for another excellent recommendation.

Second Keurig Coffee Maker

never drink tap water againthe benefits of bottled water

Nowadays, in most American cities, before tap water is pushed through the pipes to homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, the public utility company processes the water to remove harmful contaminants. Although it is reassuring that most water companies have taken steps to make sure the water coming into our homes is clean enough and safe for drinking, those same companies allowed unclean water to be piped there in the first place. For years and years many of us went to the tap to drink water without ever thinking about what could possibly be lurking there. During the processing stage, water companies treat the water and other contaminants, find their way into our water through the very pipes that bring them into our neighborhood homes and businesses. Contaminants in tap water are small If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or business pipe system is safe. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. It is difficult to determine whether your home or business pipe system is safe. Sometimes a chemical taste or a distinctive odor of chlorine can be detected when drinking tap water. Pipes can have unknown leaks or breaks which allow environmental pollutants to infiltrate the water, or pipes can be encased in materials that can leech harmful substances into the water as it is carried to its destination. Most healthy people with strong immune systems will not experience serious health problems from drinking these contaminants, and that is a potential reason water companies can get away with low standards. However, the elderly, children, and people whose immune systems are not healthy can be especially vulnerable to the harmful affects of the contaminants found in tap water. These individuals should not drink water from a tap unless a filter has been installed, however the safest solution is to avoid tap water altogether. Filters installed on faucet taps do filter out many, but not all contaminates found in tap water. A healthier alternative for you and your family is to use bottled water in place of the tap water that you have been using for drinking, brewing coffee, adding to food and drink mixes, cooking, brushing teeth, bathing, and even for providing water to your pets. When you dine out, insist that the restaurant use bottled water when preparing and cooking your meals and that any water brought to the table for drinking is from bottled water. There is no reason to place your health and the health of your family at risk by dining at establishments that use tap water for cooking and for customers to drink at their table. The manufacturers of bottled water work under the strictest of standards. Before it can be offered for sale to consumers as "bottled water", the water must be as contaminate-free as possible. There are multiple steps involved in the processing of water intended for human consumption before it can bottled and made for sale. The containers used to hold the water during transit to selling points or storage are designed to maintain the integrity of the water until it is consumed. These strict standards are followed and met before the bottled water can be offered for sale to consumers. This may indicate that the manufacturing of bottled water is not easy on the bottling companies, but it ensures that the highest quality standards are being met and that consumers have a healthier choice made available to them in the water they drink for refreshment and for health. If you are getting enough vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat or from vitamin supplements, you Give your body and health the benefits of bottled water even further. The fact is your body needs water, 8 to 10 servings of at least 8 ounces each, every day for survival and proper body and organ functions. Give your body and health the benefits of bottled water containing healthy additives like, vitamins and minerals to boost the healthful benefits of bottled water now offer varieties of bottled water containing healthy additives like, vitamins and minerals to boost the healthful benefits of bottled water containing healthy additives like, vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat or from vitamin supplements, you may not be interested in the new varieties containing vitamins with minerals added to them. The fact is your body needs water, 8 to 10 servings of at least 8 ounces each, every day for survival and proper body and organ functions. If you are getting enough vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat or from vitamin supplements, you may not be interested in the new varieties containing vitamins with minerals added to them. Many top manufacturers of bottled water even further.

Nowadays, in most American cities, before tap water is pushed through the pipes to homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants, the public utility company processes the water to remove harmful contaminants. Although it is reassuring that most water companies have taken steps to make sure the water coming into our homes is clean enough and safe for drinking, those same companies allowed unclean water to be piped there in the first place. For years and years many of us went to the tap to drink water without ever thinking about what could possibly be lurking there.During the processing stage, water companies treat the water and other contaminants, find their way into our water through the very pipes that bring them into our neighborhood homes and businesses.If you do this with a glass of tap water from your home or your office you may be surprised and concerned about what you see. Contaminants in tap water are small particles that are not easily seen unless you hold your glass of water upwards toward a light source. It is difficult to determine whether your home or business pipe system is safe. Sometimes a chemical taste or a distinctive odor of chlorine can be detected when drinking tap water. Pipes can have unknown leaks or breaks which allow environmental pollutants to infiltrate the water, or pipes can be encased in materials that can leech harmful substances into the water as it is carried to its destination.Many top manufacturers of bottled water and never drink tap water again.