5 Tips to Make a Great Cup of Coffee

Craving a Great Cup? 

If you’re like us, your love for coffee borders on…an obsession. 

But you know what? We coffee fanatics aren’t alone. More people these days are drinking gourmet coffee — to be specific, 34 percent of U.S. adults, according to a 2014 study by the National Coffee Association.

Whether we’re sipping from a French press at home or lingering over a latte on vacation, we’re always craving the perfect cup. If you’re on the quest for perfection at home, here are a few tips.

• Use fresh, good-quality beans.

Coffee tastes freshest when it’s been recently harvested, so steer clear of bulk bins at the local supermarket, where beans can be left to sit while light and air take away flavor. And choose your beans wisely…all blends are not created equal!

• Say no to the fridge.

Some people will tell you to refrigerate coffee beans to keep them fresher. We say no. The porous beans will easily absorb food odors and moisture in the fridge, so keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. And never, ever freeze beans if you want to keep maximum flavor.

• Grind your beans.

Once coffee has been ground, it immediately starts losing flavor. Grind the beans daily, just what you’ll use, to keep the flavor pure. 

• Know your filters.

Even your coffee filters can affect the outcome of your cup. Paper filters that are labeled “dioxin-free” or “oxygen-bleached” tend to produce tastier results than the average, discount filters. 

• Take a temp check. 

The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is 200°F, according to the experts. Many coffeemakers process at this temperature, but for DIY jobs, keep watch. 

If you have any coffee secrets — or you’d just like to share thoughts on our brew — you can always email us. Until then, cheers to great java!

—Yenifer Lam,

EL VOYAGE