How to Make Barista-Quality coffee at home

Summary

How to Make Barista-Quality coffee at home

The past three decades have brought an unprecedented expansion in America’s coffee culture, as the lowly cup of morning joe is now consumed throughout the day in a dizzying variety of flavors and sizes. Starbucks and its national and regional competitors are as ubiquitous as McDonald’s once was and it's a safe bet that even the smallest town can boast a locally owned coffee house operating on the centuries-old European model.

Naturally enough, that remarkable growth has stimulated in consumers the desire to brew barista-quality coffee at home, as both a time- and money-saving option. The result has been a coffee arms race of sorts, with manufacturers outdoing themselves to provide the public with ever-higher-end cappuccino machines and accessories. Truth is, however, you can brew top-flight coffee at home without breaking the bank, provided you follow a few commonsense strategies.

Go Whole: It seems obvious but it bears repeating — the most vital ingredients in any cup of coffee are the beans and water. Regarding the former, it's worth the extra effort to buy whole beans and grind them yourself, as this will yield a fresher and more flavorful brew than pre-ground coffee. As for the latter, opt for filtered water whenever possible.

One At A Time: Once you've got that bag of beans home, the natural inclination is to grind it all in one fell swoop. Resist that temptation, for the reality is you can keep your home coffee freshest by only grinding the amount of coffee beans you plan to use at any given time.

Hide From the Light: To further preserve freshness, the rest of those beans should be stored in a canister that blocks sunlight, with many coffeehouses and enlightened home brewers opting for sturdy ceramic models. Also never freeze your beans, as there is the likelihood the thawing process will cause them to absorb moisture, which can affect taste.

Keep It Clean: Coffee beans contain oils that are released in the brewing process. Given that, it’s imperative you wash your coffee pot after each brewing to ensure those oils are removed and will not harm the taste of the next day’s coffee.

Steamers: If your favorites are lattes or cappuccinos, you will want to buy an electric milk frother. You also can flavor coffee without using syrups by stirring in pieces of chocolate or topping your drink with whipped cream and ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
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