4 steps to making a great cup of coffee
Whether you enjoy a cup to get a jolt in the morning, rely on it as an afternoon pick-me-up at your desk, or use it as a good excuse to get together with friends, coffee is a versatile and popular drink. Over 63 per cent of Canadians drink coffee every day, making it the most popular fixed drink in Canada, reveals a study produced by the Coffee Association of Canada. So, whether you're entertaining or having a moment to yourself, here are some guidelines for making your best cup of coffee.
Step 1: Pick perfect beans
With 15 to 20 coffee-producing countries worldwide, the variety of coffee beans seems endless. So how do you know which beans are for you?
African coffee has a reputation for acidic and fruity undertones, Indonesian coffee is characterized by its earthy flavour, and Central American coffee is known for its nutty taste. But Alan Erdstein, owner of the Moonbean Cafe in Toronto, warns that you shouldn't pigeonhole a certain region's coffee because both quality and freshness are major factors in a bean's taste, regardless of which region it comes from. When buying coffee beans, remember that good quality beans, equal good quality coffee. Also, the bean's roast is an important element to the coffee's flavour.
Step 1: Pick perfect beans
With 15 to 20 coffee-producing countries worldwide, the variety of coffee beans seems endless. So how do you know which beans are for you?
African coffee has a reputation for acidic and fruity undertones, Indonesian coffee is characterized by its earthy flavour, and Central American coffee is known for its nutty taste. But Alan Erdstein, owner of the Moonbean Cafe in Toronto, warns that you shouldn't pigeonhole a certain region's coffee because both quality and freshness are major factors in a bean's taste, regardless of which region it comes from. When buying coffee beans, remember that good quality beans, equal good quality coffee. Also, the bean's roast is an important element to the coffee's flavour.
A true coffee connoisseur, Erdstein roasts his own beans at the Moonbeam Cafe but, for most coffee drinkers, he suggests avoiding the complicated bean-roasting processes by buying roasted beans. The three most popular roasts are light American roast, medium roast, and full city (dark) roast. There is a roast one step above full city, which is just before the beans carbonize followed by the Italian roast, which is extremely dark, says Erdstein.
Step 2: Store it right
To keep coffee bean fresh, store them in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature. According to Starbucks' four fundamentals to coffee making, "Storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer for daily use can damage the coffee as warm, moist air condenses to the beans whenever the container is opened."
Many canned or packaged coffee products recommend you refrigerate after opening and that may be fine for the sake of convenience but when you want the very best brew, go fresh.
Step 3: Grind time
If you don't own a grinder, it's time to splurge now because freshly ground coffee tastes best. Like red wine, coffee beans and grinds react with oxygen. Unlike red wine, oxygen doesn't improve the taste of coffee.
Grind only the amount you're about to consume and Erdstein suggests only buying as much coffee as you'll drink in 7 to 10 days because that's how long fresh beans last.
Consider your brewing machine before grinding. For a French press, use coarse grinds; for a flat-basket filter, use medium-ground coffee; and for a cone-basket filter, use finely ground coffee grinds, recommends Erdstein.
Step 4: Just add water
Since coffee is over 90 per cent water, consider the quality of the water you're using to brew. There are many water theories when it comes to coffee, but Erdstein simply says it's all about your preference. Do you live by your water filter or is tap water just fine for you? Use whatever kind of water you prefer, but be aware that temperature is paramount to your coffee flavour. "The water needs to be at least 190 degrees Fahrenheit when passing over the coffee to bring out the best flavour," says Erdstein.
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Step 2: Store it right
To keep coffee bean fresh, store them in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature. According to Starbucks' four fundamentals to coffee making, "Storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer for daily use can damage the coffee as warm, moist air condenses to the beans whenever the container is opened."
Many canned or packaged coffee products recommend you refrigerate after opening and that may be fine for the sake of convenience but when you want the very best brew, go fresh.
Step 3: Grind time
If you don't own a grinder, it's time to splurge now because freshly ground coffee tastes best. Like red wine, coffee beans and grinds react with oxygen. Unlike red wine, oxygen doesn't improve the taste of coffee.
Grind only the amount you're about to consume and Erdstein suggests only buying as much coffee as you'll drink in 7 to 10 days because that's how long fresh beans last.
Consider your brewing machine before grinding. For a French press, use coarse grinds; for a flat-basket filter, use medium-ground coffee; and for a cone-basket filter, use finely ground coffee grinds, recommends Erdstein.
Step 4: Just add water
Since coffee is over 90 per cent water, consider the quality of the water you're using to brew. There are many water theories when it comes to coffee, but Erdstein simply says it's all about your preference. Do you live by your water filter or is tap water just fine for you? Use whatever kind of water you prefer, but be aware that temperature is paramount to your coffee flavour. "The water needs to be at least 190 degrees Fahrenheit when passing over the coffee to bring out the best flavour," says Erdstein.
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