| If you are like many Americans, your day doesn't | | | | Start out with a clean coffee maker. The best |
| start until you have downed a cup of coffee But | | | | tasting brew comes from clean equipment. Make sure |
| getting the perfect brew is not an easy task. If your | | | | that your carafe has been cleaned so there are no |
| morning joe leaves a lot to be desired, follow these | | | | remnants of the previous morning's coffee and |
| easy steps to brewing a better cup. | | | | double check that the basket is clear of coffee |
| Invest in a Quality Coffee Maker. It all starts with a | | | | grounds. Nothing ruins a pot of coffee more than |
| good coffee machine. If you are a true coffee lover, | | | | leftover grounds. If you are new to brewing your |
| you will want to invest some money in your brewing | | | | own coffee start with something mild like an Arabic |
| equipment. While you do not need to spend hundreds | | | | blend. After you have mastered the art of brewing, |
| on a professional coffee maker, you will want to | | | | you can adjust to find your desired strength of |
| read reviews and find the right machine for your | | | | flavor and level of caffeine. |
| budget and your needs. Because more than 50 | | | | Fill the carafe with fresh, cold water and then fill up |
| percent of Americans start their day with coffee the | | | | the drip reservoir. Make sure to stop just before the |
| industry has responded with a wide variety of new | | | | reservoir is totally full. Overfilling will not only make a |
| machines and there are still the old standbys, as well. | | | | weaker brew, but it could prevent your coffee |
| If you love rich tasting coffee for example, but you | | | | maker from working properly. Clean up after you |
| don't want to spend a lot, consider a simple French | | | | pour so there is no excess water on the hotplate or |
| press, which brews delicious coffee and typically | | | | on the machine itself. This will keep your coffee |
| costs less than $50. | | | | maker working like new for years to come. |
| Grind your Own Beans. In addition to a coffee | | | | Insert one liner (if your coffee machine calls for it) |
| brewing machine, you may also want to invest in a | | | | and then use five mounded scoops for ten cups of |
| bean grinder. Coffee lovers everywhere agree that | | | | coffee Adjust your scoops for less cups (one scoop |
| freshly ground beans make the best tasting coffee. | | | | per two cups). You will, of course, adjust the amount |
| Buy the Right Beans. Buying a grinder also allows you | | | | of coffee to suit your personal taste as you continue |
| to experiment with different blends of beans. You | | | | to experiment with your coffee making. |
| can purchase specialty beans from a local | | | | You might also want to try adding a pinch of salt on |
| micro-roaster. Even if you are just using beans from | | | | top of the grounds to cut the bitterness of the |
| your local supermarket, you can develop some | | | | coffee Or try adding cinnamon or nutmeg on top of |
| pretty flavorful combinations with some | | | | the grounds for a special touch. |
| experimentation. Make sure to store your beans in an | | | | Once you have added the water and the grounds, |
| airtight container for the best flavor. | | | | you are ready to brew. Place the carafe under the |
| Brewing Instructions: Once you have acquired a great | | | | drip feed and start your machine. To prepare, warm |
| coffee maker and a good combination of beans, you'll | | | | your coffee cups with a rinse under hot water. If |
| be ready to make coffee But what truly makes | | | | you leave the cups cold, the coffee will drop in |
| coffee great is the brewing process. No matter what | | | | temperature before you can enjoy it. Gather |
| type of coffee machine you use, the follow steps will | | | | sweeteners, milk or coffee creamer and you will be |
| ensure that you are getting the best coffee that | | | | ready to enjoy your perfect cup of coffee once it is |
| you can. | | | | brewed. |
