12 Common Coffee Mistakes And How To Fix Them
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In the list of the top 10 most widely consumed beverages in the world, coffee surprisingly occupies the second spot! 85% of adults all over the world prefer a drink made of these flavored beans, adding them ritualistically to their morning routine.
However, despite their omnipresent popularity, most of us don’t really know how to have coffee the right way. In fact, we make a lot of common mistakes, which can totally ruin the taste of the daily cuppa!
If you want to enjoy your coffee in the best way possible, you should avoid making these mistakes!
1. Buying Cheap Coffee
We know you have a monthly budget to take care of, but buying cheap, instant coffee packets is really not the way to go if you are passionate about your morning cup of joe. Low-priced coffee is also of low quality, which means the taste is not half as good. However, you can still get good coffee and save a couple of bucks by visiting a specialty store and purchasing coffee that’s moderately priced.
2. Buying Off The Aisle Instead Of Fresh Coffee
You should treat your coffee pretty much the same way as you treat your fruits and veggies. That’s because the shelf life of coffee is not too long. So, instead of buying at a supermarket, always go to a specialty store that deals in fresh beans and grinds.
3. Keeping It In The Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in the fridge, hoping to preserve its flavor while boosting its longevity. But that won’t happen! Refrigerators can absorb the aromas and smells of plenty of food items, with coffee being one of them. So, if you keep coffee in your fridge, you can forget about experiencing its aromatic flavor!
4. Storing It For Over A Month
As we said in the previous, coffee has a short shelf life. So, buying it in bulk and storing it for more than a month in your kitchen cabinet is not good. The taste will feel off and it’ll prove to be a waste of money in the end, rather than a grand saving option. So, check the label to see when the coffee was roasted and don’t use it beyond 3 weeks since when it’s manufactured.
5. Or In The Packaging It Came In
Another convenient way to store coffee is to let it stay in the package it came in. This is unwise too as it exposes coffee to light, air, and heat, which can rob it of its flavor. The best way to store coffee is in an airtight glass jar.
6. Not Grinding Your Own Coffee Beans
Buying ground coffee can save you time, surely, but the taste you get out of it will be highly distorted. Hence, you should always grind your own coffee beans. The different degrees of grinding include powdery, coarse, thin, and medium, depending on the kind of coffee you wish to have. Make sure you grind consistently though.
7. Not Brewing It Long Enough
To make a good cuppa, you need to have some patience. Brewing your coffee for less than 4 minutes can impact its taste in a negative way. The ideal thing to do is to slowly let it brew for at least 4 minutes.
8. Drinking It When It’s Cooled Down
Why would you want to commit this heinous coffee crime in the first place? Isn’t a steaming hot mug tempting enough? Anyway, a cooled down coffee turns really bitter and can lose its original flavor. So, best have it while it’s still hot.
9. Forgetting To Clean Your Coffee Machine Often
A dirty coffee machine is not just bad when it comes to ruining the flavor and aroma of your coffee, it’s also bad for your health. A dirty coffee machine is a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence, cleaning it after every use is recommended.
10. Not Following The 1:10 Ratio
When you’re brewing your cup of coffee, you should follow the 1:10 ratio. Experts recommend that for every 1 gram of coffee powder, you should use 10ml of water to get a truly tempting brew.
11. Having No Knowledge Of The Different Types Of Coffee
There are two types of coffee lovers: those who like it bitter and those who like it sweet. If you want a mild, delicately-flavored coffee, you should choose Arabica beans. If you want bitter coffee that packs in a kick, Robusta beans are the way to go.
12. Overloading Your Coffee With Too Many Ingredients
Just like too many cooks spoil the broth, too many ingredients or an excess of any one ingredient can ruin your coffee. You need to strike the right balance between the milk and sugar you add to your coffee.
Avoiding these 12 mistakes can greatly enhance your coffee drinking experience, making it a much a more enjoyable one! However, before you pour yourself a cup, make sure you use the right cup. Thick ceramic ones can keep your coffee warmer for longer. So, sip away!
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