Coffee is one of the most popular things to drink in America, but very few people know very much about this great beverage. They often wonder why the coffee they brew at home doesn't taste the same as the coffee at their favorite shop, even though they are using the exact same coffee beans. When brewing coffee, there are four fundamentals one must keep in mind, proportion, grind, water, and freshness. After explaining what these are, this paper will discuss which is the better way to enjoy coffee, from a coffee maker, or the French Press.
In the 1940's the Coffee Brewing Center set a standard based on consumer research. Their studies showed that the correct proportion for brewing coffee was two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. The incorrect amount of coffee can lead to over extraction and result in bitter coffee.
Another problem that can lead to bitter coffee is not choosing the correct grind. Some people choose to grind their coffee very fine in order to make it last longer. The problem with this is that it also results in bitter over extracted coffee because water runs through the grounds much more slowly, bringing out the unpleasant flavors with it. On the other hand, coffee ground too course leads to weak coffee. The coffee runs through the grounds too quickly, not getting a chance to extract the full flavor of the coffee.
Once brewed, coffee is 98% water. If the water used to brew the coffee taste like chlorine or other impurities, then so will the coffee. Coffee consumers should use filtered or bottled water when brewing coffee. Also, making sure the water used is at the correct temperature is important. Water should be heated to just off a boil. If the water isn't this hot, then it will not be able to extract the coffee's full range of flavors. .
Coffee has four enemies; oxygen, light, heat, and moisture. Coffee should be stored in an airtight container and should be used by the coffee's "Best Before" date.