Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. However, there are many different qualities of coffee around and it requires a little knowledge to prevent yourself accidentally ruining what could have been a perfectly good cup of coffee.
Whilst you may be able to get a perfect cup of coffee from your Pour Moi coffee vending machines, it help to know what it takes to get a perfect cup and it’s fun to give it a go yourself.
Of course some things are down to your preferences, and the situation you are in, but there a few generally agreed things that go towards making the perfect brew.
Coffee beans are particularly sensitive to moisture, temperature and pH levels. They contain volatile organic compounds that react when these different elements change. If these elements change out of the acceptable range for decent coffee, you can end up not getting enough flavour out, burning it, or getting additional flavours that you don’t want.
The first part of getting a good coffee involves buying good beans. Of course everyone has their own preferences but you need to make sure the beans are sourced from a decent supplier. Purchasing freshly roasted beans is the best idea but if you are buying pre-packaged beans, make sure that the roast date is no less than 6 months before the date you want to use them. They should also be vacuum packed to prevent the air getting to them.
Pre-ground coffee isn’t ideal so try and buy beans and a grinder.
The next thing to consider is how you are going to keep them. It is best to keep the beans whole because as soon as they are ground they are exposed to air and they start losing moisture. If the beans start to dry out they will lose some of their lovely oils which will evaporate off. Keep beans in a cool, airtight jar to protect them.
When it comes to making the coffee, grind the beans as close as you can to when you want to brew. It is fine to grind a few hours before you want to drink but don’t do it too early. The way the coffee is ground will have an effect on the flavour. If the coffee tastes bitter, it may be ground too fine and therefore be over extracted (where the undesirable flavours have also come out of the beans). If it tastes flat, the grind may be too coarse, because not enough of the flavours have been extracted.
The ideal water to use in the brew is filtered. Filtering will take out chlorine which isn’t a good taste, and it filters out sediments too. Distilled water removes too many important trace elements and leaves the water characterless. Tap water is fine if you have a decent tap water supply in your area. Run a bit off first though.
Adding a tiny pinch of salt to the grounds is worth trying because it helps disperse the oils and enhances the perception of flavours for your tongue.
Brewing should be done at 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything colder will mean that your coffee is under extracted, but anything too hot will mean that your coffee flavours will degrade. Remember not to pour boiling water directly onto the coffee.
Your brewed coffee should then be poured into a warmed mug. Using a cold mug will mean that the temperature is lost too quickly. The optimal flavour is lost very quickly after brewing so your drink should be consumed as soon as possible.
If you follow a few guidelines for buying, storing and making coffee you can then start to experiment a bit. Keep notes on the changes you make and the effect they have. By doing this you will be able to make yourself the best cup of coffee in the world. Enjoy!