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Chances are, you are one of the countless coffee-lovers who flock to boutique coffee shops day-in and day-out for a cup of your favorite brew. It's a giant industry, and it is us lovers of the bean who have made it what it is today. But don't you find the rising prices of your favorite boutique brand becoming a bit hard to swallow? It is getting to a ridiculous level where the cost of a single cup of joe can be spent on getting an entirely decent meal instead.
There is a way to enjoy the best coffee in the world and yet save money, and that is by learning to brew it at home! Home-brewers and roasters swear by their coffee, and a big part of the enjoyment comes from the sense of fulfillment and pride at making a cup that compares to, and often surpasses, any name-brand coffee around.
The first two things to be aware of is that taste largely depends on the type of bean, and its freshness. A third factor, probably even more important, is you taking the time to really taste it - don't just sense its bitterness or strength, but try to identify the various flavors and nuances that make up that taste you love. Compare this to how true wine-lovers describe what they taste, breaking it down to individual flavors and aromas. The same can be done for coffee and will enhance your enjoyment of it a hundred-fold.
As a starter, you should know that most blends are made with a mixture of Arabica and Robusta beans. Arabica makes up about 75% of the world's commerce in coffee, and many of the flavors you'll find in your cup will come from this bean. Robusta, on the other hand, lends strength, having twice as much caffeine as Arabica. These two kinds of bean, grown in different regions throughout the world, blended and prepared in a thousand different ways, makes up the endless varieties of coffee that are available to you.
Ordering coffee, either freshly roasted or "green" (raw), is easier than ever before because of the internet, aided by modern packaging methods and fast shipping systems. Roasted coffee is quite time-sensitive, but green coffee can be kept for months or even up to a year. Keeping a stash of green coffee means you can roast small batches according to need so that each cup you brew is really fresh.
Roasting can be done right on the stove with a heavy skillet and a wooden spoon. Directions can be easily found on the internet, and before long you'll be experimenting with your own blends and roasting style. You can get a cheap blade grinder to start with, and you can get more evenly ground beans by "pulse grinding." What this means is to press the grinder switch on for half a second, shake, press, shake, and so on until you get the desired grind. A burr grinder will still make more evenly ground beans, but it is not an absolute necessity for enjoyment.
As for brewing, skip the drip machine and invest in an inexpensive french press instead. With water a minute off the boil, all you need is another four minutes to brew your fresh ground coffee in the press, then gently push down on the plunger, and pour what will likely be your best cup yet. Again, the internet is rich with different brewing styles and directions, using a french press or any other of many brewing devices.
Making your own excellent cup of coffee is not difficult, and it opens your eyes to an entire world of different coffee experiences. French pressed coffee today, espresso tomorrow, and who knows what wonderful home-made concoction you will create after that?
About this Author
Epic P. Dee has been a writer for close to three decades, and has found new inspiration in publishing helpful articles on the internet. Visit his latest work at http://tilefloorsinfo.blogspot.com/ which features information on finding, selecting, and installing tile floors for the home or office.
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