Perfect Cup of Coffee

Like anything else in life there is bad, just okay and then there is perfect. To get to perfection you really need the knowledge on how to do it and the motivation. This plays out in your sports activities, education and work place. Enough of the preaching here on life….what I want to talk about is that this is also true for making a perfect cup of coffee.

To make a perfect cup of coffee I will go over the basics steps to get you there. You are on your own in developing the motivation to go the extra effort and time that may be required for your perfect cup.

6 Simple Steps for a Perfect Cup of Coffee

1. Only Buy Fresh Roasted Whole Bean Coffee

   You need to start with fresh roasted gourmet coffee beans. There are many different varieties and places where you can find them. Buying from a reputable online retailer usually brings you a few weeks to several months of freshness from the day it was roasted. Roasted coffee beans oxidize and begin to deteriorate after two weeks if they are not preserved or frozen. Most supermarkets and even coffee shops carry coffee beans that have been roasted, stored in a warehouse then shipped to a store to sit on a shelf for an untold number of weeks! All the while the original flavor has been slowly eroding. Only buy fresh roasted whole bean gourmet coffee for your perfect cup of coffee. Buying ground coffee is out of the question as it deteriorates after only a few days.
    

2. Grinding Your Beans

   Only grind your beans just before you make your perfect cup of coffee. Buy a good burr grinder to grind your coffee beans, though a blade is acceptable. Grind to the correct coarseness to match your coffee maker; coarse for a French press, medium for a drip coffee machine and fine for espresso.
    

3. The Water

   Your perfect cup of coffee contains 98% water so water is just as important as the coffee beans you use. Use cold filtered water. If you use filtered water out of a tap make sure to run it for a few moments to clear out water that has been sitting in the faucet tubing. Some people use bottled water but do not use distilled water.  Even if you start with one of the world’s finest coffees, you may end up with a less-than-perfect beverage. Also, do not trust the water level marking on your coffee machine. Use a measuring cup to get the exact 6 ounces of water for each cup you will brew until you get a feel for where the proper marking should be.
    

4. The Proportion of Coffee

   Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounce of water for your perfect cup of coffee. Coffees from different regions may require that you adjust this proportion to suite your taste. For example, Blue Mountain coffee usually requires about 25% more coffee or it will be too light.
    

5. The Coffee Maker

   Buy a good electric drip coffee machines for everyday use. A French press is better when you have more time to devote to your perfect cup of coffee on the weekends. Make sure that the water is heated to between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are making only a 2 to 4 cups of coffee you need to have a coffee maker with a special setting, 10 to12 cup drip coffee makers do not perform well with smaller quantities.
    

6. The Finishing Touches

   Pour your perfect coffee in a ceramic or glass mug. Add sugar and cream as you desire. Remember that artificial sweeteners will add a different and sometimes bitter taste. My personal preference is to use raw sugar or Splenda. Use your coffee soon after you brew it as the flavor begins to deteriorate. Never let your coffee pot stay on a burner for longer than 30 minutes which is when your perfect cup of coffee turns into a perfect putrid pot!