Tip of the Day:  Getting the Most Out of Your Cup of Joe…Coffee

The coffee tree is native to east Africa and has been taken around the world over centuries and now grows in India, the French Caribbean, Columbia, Vietnam, and Brazil.  One fifth of the worlds coffee production comes from Africa.  Coffee trees are a tropical relative of the Gardenia…interesting isn’t it.

Coffee beans are green prior to roasting, and it’s the roasting process that turns the beans brown.  The beans become darker when roasted to a hotter temperature.  The roasting process takes anywhere from 90 seconds to 15 minutes depending on the manufacturer’s desired outcome.

Whole beans will store the best and will keep well for 2-3 weeks at room temperature, and for a couple of months in the freezer.   Once ground, the bean’s protective exterior has been broken and the shelf  life is about 3-4 days before it become somewhat stale.  Naturally, an airtight storage container is a must.

The strength of  your coffee will depend on the roast, the size of your ground coffee particles, the ratio of water to coffee, the temperature and length of time at which you brew your coffee.  Ideal brewing temperature is 190 – 200 degrees F.  When in doubt use more coffee  to water as coffee that is too strong can be diluted with hot water and there is no remedy for weak coffee.  Coffee is best served immediately as the taste begins to deteriorate after about 30 minutes.  Likewise thermos pots with lids that hold coffee at a constant temperature will keep the coffee’s flavor longer.

The drip coffee maker is the most common model used in the U.S. although some models don’t reach adequate temperatures  to fully extract the  coffee’s flavor.  Percolators can over extract because they operate at boiling.  Plunger pots, also called a French Press, allow you to control your water temperature and brewing time, but leave tiny particles of coffee behind and sediment in your coffee cup.  Each brewing method has its pros and cons.

Believe it or not coffee makes the list of healthy foods due to it’s antioxidant value.   While there are exceptions to every rule, moderate intake (not more than 3 cups per day) is perfectly fine for most people.  I love coffee, drink it every day and look for ways to incorporate its flavor into other foods…like brownies, chocolate mousse etc.

Finally, gourmet coffee gift baskets are a terrific gift for any coffee lover.……..Order this fantastic Coffee Gift Basket today by clicking on the picture!