Many believe that the way you store coffee has a huge impact on how it will taste. It is recommended that you store the whole coffee beans rather than grinding it first and say that storing it this way in an airtight container in a cool, dry place should keep it fresh for about 14 days. Others say that the perfect cup of coffee can be ruined if you store the coffee anywhere near strong smelling odors, such as onions or garlic, as the coffee will pick up odors from other foods.
Naturally, how you brew your regular coffee, gourmet coffee or even flavored coffees has an affect on the taste and since water represents about 98% of all coffees, many suggest using cold filtered or bottled water to enhance the taste. The optimum temperature for the water that is used for brewing is between 195 and 205 degrees, so if your coffee begins to have a weak taste, then you may want to make sure that the temperature gauge is working.
How the coffee is ground has an affect on the taste. If the grind is too fine, then you will very likely end up with a bitter cup of coffee and it also has a tendency to clog coffee machines. However, if it is ground too coarsely, then you will end up with very weak coffee. Using 2 tablespoons for every 6 fluid ounces is the recommended ratio.
Recently, there has been a debate over the way coffee beans are grown; organic versus regular methods. Many reasons are sited for this including that it makes growing coffee more “green” or more environmentally and ecologically friendly. Others claim that these organic coffees have a much better taste and there are no additives or preservatives, just a rich bold flavor.
Coffee makers accessories are another consideration when you are trying to brew a coffee mug full of the perfect brew. Those disposable paper coffee filters contain dyes, bleach and chlorine and of course this will affect the taste of the coffee, so you may want to consider using a mesh or stainless steel filter in order to avoid this. Brewing that perfect cup of coffee should be done in a clean coffee maker and it is suggested that you run a mixture of water and vinegar through your machine approximately every 2 to 3 weeks. Be sure to follow that by running one or two cycles of pure water through to ensure that all traces of the vinegar are gone.
