|
Home
Up
Cake Tips
CoffeeTips
Gravey Tips
General Tips
Pudding Tips
Sandwitch Tips
Salad Tips
MiscTips
Pickle Tips
Soup Tips
| |
 
[ Glossary ] [ Handy Tips ] [ Appetizers ] [ Breads ] [ Chutney ] [ Coffee Corner ] [ Desserts ] [ Drinks ] [ Vegetables ] [ Meat & Fish ] [ Rice Dishes ] [ Salads ] [ Soups ] [ Special Dishes ]
Coffee First-Aid
Want to make a good cup of coffee.......
The coffee
 | Grind the beans as you need them. Once ground they can become stale within
hours. a whole bean may remain fresh up to 3 weeks. |
| Many people will freeze their beans to keep them fresh. The works better with the
lighter roasts, however the darker roast and Espresso do not fair as well. |
The Right amount of grounds
| One of the most common errors made is not using enough grounds. The basic guide
lines is two tablespoons per cup. |
| Remember the term "cup" refers to the measuring unit, not the thing you
drink out of. Most coffee cups, better know as "coffee mugs" are MUCH larger
than the 6oz. cup. |
The main ingredient - Water
| Since most tap water has additives, or natural impurities bottled or filtered
water makes a better tasting coffee. |
The brewing
| No mater which method you use, the water should never be boiling. Most coffee is
brewed at 200 F. |
| Keep you coffee brewing equipment (coffee pot) clean! Coffee releases oils when
brewed, this after a time will affect the quality of your brewing. |
Brewing espresso
| Coffee beans should be finely ground. |
| Use 2 teaspoons per 2oz. |
| Remember to tap the grounds, as a rule once if very fine, twice if a little
courser grounds. Ice Coffee
|
| The coffee should be fresh, less than a couple of hours old. Coffee ice cube are
make from regular brewed coffee, while the drink its self is made a little stronger 2
tablespoon to 4 oz. water.Poor Man's tricks to coffee
|
| Flavored coffees many times cost more, and have the same short shelf life
as any other coffee. Use bottle flavorings, they are cheap, come in different sizes, many
different flavors, and have a longer shelf live then coffee. You can have caramel one day,
with chocolate mint the next. |
| If you can't afford the commercial coffee flavorings, use a drop or two of your
cooking flavorings. Flavors like vanilla, rum, or even orange, can make interesting cups.
Remember they won't be as good as the commercial, but what the heck, if you can't afford
it! |
Espresso/Cappuccino
| Can't afford fresh beans, your idea of buying coffee is the cheapest can on the
grocery store's shelf. Buy a cheap grinder ($10 at Wal-mart) place the grounds from your
can and grind for about 10 to 15 seconds. Than load your machine that you bought at
Wal-mart or other discount store (under $35). |
| It won't be as good, but trust me not half bad either. Also if you like
cappuccino, only the true "sipper" will know the difference. After all by the
time you add the flavoring, milk, and foam, it's only one third coffee. |
Grocery store Vs fresh
| Since fresh coffee costs much more than grocery store coffees. (Here I pay about
$9.95 lb. for fresh, and $5.99 for a three pound can). Try using the cheaper coffee in the
morning when everything is crazy, and you drink it to get a jump start on the day. Saving
the fresh, for that afternoon, or after dinner cup when you have time to enjoy the true
difference in the taste. |
Cheating on guests
| Many people drink espresso and cappuccino, because if became a fad. They really
don't know or care about the differences in the qualities of coffees. If you have some of
those types of friends coming over:
1. Buy a few ounces of fresh beans for the ones who say they like espresso, or may really
know the difference.
2. Since most of these people always ask for a cappuccino, grind some regular coffee up
just before they are to arrive. Place the grounds in a special cute little jar. They will
never know the difference, after you add the flavoring, milk, and foam. |
If you wish to contribute to the tips/recipe section, please send your tips/recipes in
the above format to recipes@infodiary.com.
We will publish them with your name. Thanks.
|
