DIY Gourmet Coffee

You may be accustomed to stopping by your favorite café every morning, but yielding to an artisanal cup of coffee every day can become quite costly in the long run. CoffeeCow believes you can make a perfectly captivating cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home with just a few ingredients and reliable brewing technology. Despite the popularity of coffee chains and cafés, brewing coffee at home persists as one of the most popular methods of fulfilling a caffeine craving. When deciding whether gourmet coffee is right for you, there are a few considerations to keep in mind: cost, convenience, and time. Continue reading to discover ways in which you can make gourmet coffee daily to satisfy your cravings for caffeine or full-bodied flavor.

Brewing coffee at home allows you to become a coffee expert on your own terms. No longer do you have to gaze longingly at all your favorite menu options while ignoring the grumbles of customers standing behind you in line. Instead, get creative with different beans, flavors, and extras to create a unique cup of coffee each and every time. Keep reading this article to learn useful tips for your barista journey.

Cost of Gourmet Coffee

Brewing coffee at home every day may seem intimidating, but you can certainly save a lot by skipping the drive-through and opting for a homemade method instead. The surge of gourmet coffee is credited to the boom of coffee shops and telecommuting. Remote employees and students can now work independently in communal settings while filling their caffeine needs. However, these daily trips to the local coffee shop can really add up.

According to U.S. News, the average cup of coffee costs approximately $2.70. That cup price only increases with exclusive coffee grounds, extra ingredients, or special preparation methods. Cappuccinos, lattes, iced coffees, macchiatos, and other specialty beverages can cost much more. Keep in mind that coffee sales peak in the morning on weekdays and weekends. You may also end up wasting gas by sitting in line or spending more than you bargained for after paying a customary tip.

Ingredients for Success

When you bring it back to basics, brewing a quality cup comes down to water and ground coffee beans. The better the beans, the better your coffee will taste. The key to choosing coffee is understanding the difference between various beans, growing regions, roasts, and blends. Some of the most popular kinds of coffee include Americano, Espresso, Italian, Turkish, Viennese, and many more. Water also plays a significant role in the overall quality of your coffee. Fresh, cold water is best to allow the natural flavors and notes shine through. Hot water can often make coffee taste bitter. Tap water should suffice, but the mineral content may affect the overall flavor. If your tap water contains above-average amounts of sodium, potassium, iron, copper, phosphorus, or zinc, you may prefer to use bottled water or a purifier for better flavor.

Bean Knowledge

What many of the most popular kinds of coffee have in common are the beans that are used to create them. Industry experts estimate that 70% of all coffee in the world is made from Arabica beans. Arabica coffee is indigenous to the mountain forests of Ethiopia. Arabicas boast a broad taste range to suit any palate. When roasted, Arabicas are very fragrant and offer notes of fruit or sugar. The other 30% of all coffee bean production starts with Robusta beans. This kind of bean is more resilient than its subtropical counterpart, allowing manufacturers to grow and employ mono-cropping in a variety of regions. Unlike Arabicas, Robusta beans can grow in low altitudes and can withstand pest infestations or attacks. Although Robusta beans are more economical to produce, Arabica beans are ideal for gourmet coffee.

Understanding Roast Profiles

There are three roasts to choose from when shopping for coffee. Light roasts are aptly named because they are light brown in color and provide a light body without any surface oil. Lighter roasts are popular for their distinct acidity and high caffeine content. Medium roasts contain a fuller body than their light counterparts. However, medium roasts are less grainy than light roasts and exhibit more balanced aroma and flavor. Medium and dark roasts contain less caffeine than light roasts. Dark roast coffees are dark, almost black, in color and offer a slight sheen of surface oil.

Reliable Coffee Equipment

Quality ingredients are essential to preparing anything delicious, but you still need the proper equipment required to brew your coffee or espresso correctly. If you plan on grinding your own coffee, you will need a high-end grinder to simplify the brewing process. Some coffee makers come equipped with built-in grinding features, but investing in a top-notch grinder is worthwhile for anyone who drinks more than two cups per day. The two most notable types include the burr grinder and the blade grinder. Burr grinders are the vintage standard, providing two revolving surfaces between which your coffee beans are ground. Blade grinders feature central blades that perform best when you grind your coffee in bursts. Burr grinders are best for anyone that prefers French press of pour-over coffee, but a blade grinder might be a more affordable alternative to make gourmet coffee on a budget.

Single-cup coffee makers offer all the convenience and ease you need to brew gourmet coffee daily at home. There are plenty of single-serve solutions to suit each type of brewing system, but the most popular include capsules and hard or soft pods. Pod brewing allows you to make one cup of coffee at a time while minimizing cleanup and overall waste. Better yet, you can start monitoring your caffeine by limiting your daily intake to two or three cups.

Regardless of your expertise, you can find affordable tools to keep on hand so you can make a variety of coffee beverages right in your kitchen. Consider stocking up on a milk frother, percolator, airtight storage canisters, and more. Don’t forget the cleaning essentials!

Make Coffee as Easy as 1-2-3

One of the greatest misconceptions we hear about brewing coffee at home is the complexity of operating high-end machinery. All the latest brewing systems are designed to be easy to use and easy to maintain. Most models require you to fill the water reservoir, install your chosen coffee pod or K-Cup®, and select your brewing mode. Sit back and relax as your brewer dispenses piping hot liquid for you to enjoy. If you have any questions about making gourmet coffee at home or need help finding your favorite products, please contact a member of our team for further assistance.