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  Tips & Techniques
There are four components to fantastic tasting coffee. In order of importance is roasting, storage, grinding and brewing. All of these combined make that excellent cup of coffee. So don't skimp, it's worth it!
Why fresh roasted? Coffee tastes best 4-10 days after it is roasted. Beyond that the flavor and quality begins to decline, the aromatics and flavor essence that make fresh roasted coffee so unique is destroyed by oxygen. Fresh roasted coffee will certainly taste great even 12 days after roasting, but when "just roasted" is available there is nothing like it. It is worth the effort to buy small quantities as you need it.
Storage - Coffee is perishable. After roasting the coffee beans release CO2. This CO2 is replaced with oxygen after roasting and degrades the taste. Protect your coffee from oxygen by storing it in an airtight container in a room temperature cupboard away from light. To freeze or not to freeze? Well that depends. It is certainly okay to freeze your coffee for long term storage. Anything that will not be consumed within 2 weeks should be kept in the freezer. If you do freeze your coffee protect it. Wrap it in it's original container in a zippered freezer bag and squeeze the air out. A straw used to suck the air out works well. Then wrap that in another bag, removing the air again. Place in the back of your freezer, away from the door. The goal is to keep any moisture or warm air away from the coffee. Upon removal from the freezer, DO NOT open the bag until the coffee has reached room temperature. The reason is that if you open the bag while it is still frozen, the air that goes in is warmer than the coffee and creates condensation. This moisture will destroy the coffee quality. Ideally, purchase only the amount of coffee you will consume in 7-10 days. Grinding - To grind or not to grind? Of course coffee needs to be ground before brewing. However, grinding an entire bag of coffee and then storing it will guarantee that the taste of your coffee will suffer. As oxygen replaces the CO2 in the coffee beans, grinding it speeds up this process. Grind immediately before you brew and adjust the grind to the type of brewing method you use. Brewing methods - Here is a fun and easy way to make a great cup of coffee: "Amy's Cowboy Coffee" ~This is the simplest method ever and in our opinion, outstanding coffee ~ In a sauce pan, combine coarse ground coffee (french press grind) with correct amount of water for the number of cups desired (2 level tablespoons for each 5-6 ounce cup). Place on stove top and allow it to heat over medium heat. Continue heating until the coffee and water begin to move, just as, or right before it begins to simmer (195-202 degrees). Remove from the heat and allow to steep in the pan for 4 minute. Strain through a cone shaped filter into coffee cups or thermos. Consume immediately, coffee is fresh for just 10 minutes after brewing. Keep an eye on this process, boiled coffee tastes awful! For those who aren't too discerning - your favorite coffee maker works well too! |
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