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How to Store Coffee Beans for Optimal Freshness

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If you’re a coffee lover, then you know the importance of finding and storing quality coffee beans. Good coffee beans can make or break your cup of coffee, and if you want to ensure that your coffee tastes great every time, it’s important to learn how to store them correctly. Let’s explore the best ways to store coffee beans so that they always maintain their flavor and freshness. 

Storing in an Airtight Container 

The most important consideration when it comes to storing your coffee beans is ensuring that they are kept in an airtight container. The presence of oxygen can make your beans stale very quickly, so if you want them to stay fresh for as long as possible, it’s essential that you store them in a sealed container where no oxygen can reach them. Mason jars or zip-lock bags work well for this purpose; just make sure they are tightly sealed so no air can get in. 

Temperature Control 

In addition to sealing your beans away from oxygen, it’s also important to make sure they aren’t subjected to extreme temperatures. Ideally, you should keep your beans at room temperature; if exposed to cold temperatures for too long, the oils inside the bean could become solidified, ruining their flavor and aroma. On the other hand, keeping them at high temperatures for too long will cause them to go stale much faster than usual. So keep them at a consistent temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (or 15-21 degrees Celsius) and they should stay good for weeks or even months. 

Light Exposure 

Another factor that can affect the longevity of your beans is light exposure. If stored in direct sunlight or any other intense light source, the flavor and aroma of the coffee will degrade quickly due to oxidation caused by UV rays. To avoid this problem altogether, store your beans in a dark place like a kitchen cupboard or pantry shelf—they should be safe there from both temperature fluctuations and light exposure.  

Storing coffee beans correctly is essential if you want your cup of coffee to taste its best every time. Make sure you seal them away from oxygen in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature away from any direct light sources—these steps will ensure that your beans remain flavorful and aromatic for weeks or even months. With these tips in mind, anyone can enjoy delicious cups of freshly brewed coffee whenever they please.

I have a variety of containers that I tried over the years. For constantly used beans, I use an air tight clear plastic since I’m not concerned about light. For beans I use for an occasional special treat coffee, I use a container like the Mueller Coffee Canister Stainless Steel Container for Coffee Beans. Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, I will get a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

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Making the Perfect Pour Over Coffee Starts with the Filter

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Making pour over coffee is becoming increasingly popular. It’s an enjoyable, hands-on process that allows you to customize your cup of coffee and make it exactly how you like it. But there are a few things you need to know before you start — most importantly, choosing the right filter for your pour over brewer. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best pour over filter for your needs. 

Types of Filters 

The first step in choosing the right filter for your pour over coffee setup is understanding the different types of filters available. The two main types of filters are paper and metal. Metal filters are usually made from stainless steel or bronze and have a much longer lifespan than paper filters. They also don’t affect the flavor of the coffee as much as paper filters do, but they can be harder to use and require more cleaning after each use. Paper filters are easier to use, less expensive, and don’t require as much cleanup afterwards, but they will affect the flavor since they absorb some of the oils from the beans during brewing. 

Size Matters 

The size of your filter will also be important when choosing one for your pour over brewer. If you have a large carafe with a wide opening, then you’ll want a larger filter so that it fits properly in place without spilling any grounds outside of the carafe during brewing. Conversely, if you have a small carafe with a narrow opening then you’ll want to get a smaller filter that won’t take up too much space inside your carafe while still providing plenty of room for grounds and water flow during brewing. 

What About Natural Materials? 

If you want something other than metal or paper filters, then there are lots of options out there made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo. These kinds of filters can provide an even better cup of coffee since they don’t absorb any oils from the beans like paper filters do, plus they can be reused multiple times before needing to be replaced which makes them great if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option. However, keep in mind that these kinds of filters tend to be more expensive than their metal or paper counterparts so budget accordingly. 

Choosing the right filter for your pour over brewer is essential if you want to make sure that each cup tastes just as good as it should. When making this decision think about what kind (metal vs paper) will work best for your setup as well as what size (large vs small) will fit properly in place without spilling any grounds outside during brewing. Finally, consider natural materials like cotton or bamboo if you’re looking for something reusable and eco-friendly but keep in mind that these options can often be more expensive than traditional options. With all this information now at hand, go forth and make delicious cups of pour over coffee.

OK, I admit I’m still playing a bit with the options that are both the right size and material for my particular maker. The Chemex options best fit the makers I have and seem to not let any grounds through. Of course, your pour technique may vary your results. Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, I will get a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

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How to Make Delicious Coffee at Home 

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There’s nothing quite like a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The aroma, the flavor, and the warmth can perk you up in an instant. But why settle for subpar coffee from your regular morning routine when you can make something truly delicious at home? With just a few simple steps, you can brew the perfect cup of coffee that is sure to please all your senses. 

Choose Your Beans Wisely 

The first step to making excellent coffee is selecting the right beans. Arabica beans are generally considered to be best because they have a sweet, nutty flavor and are low in acidity. When buying whole beans, make sure they look clean and uniform in size and color. You want to avoid any beans that are dull or discolored as this could affect the taste of your coffee. If possible, buy organic beans since these will have fewer pesticides than non-organic ones. 

Grind Just Before Brewing 

Once you’ve chosen your beans, it’s time to grind them into grounds for brewing. Grinding releases essential oils from the beans which add flavor and aroma to your cup of coffee. As such, it is best to grind your beans just before brewing so that these oils don’t evaporate over time. Depending on the type of brewer you use, there may be different settings for grinding levels so make sure you adjust it accordingly for optimal results. 

Use Quality Filtered Water 

Another key component for making great coffee is using high-quality filtered water like Brita or Pur filtered water instead of tap water which may contain impurities that can affect both taste and smell of your brew. Also try not to use too much or too little water during brewing; measuring out how much water you need will help give you consistent results each time while also ensuring that all grounds are properly saturated with water allowing their flavors to infuse into the final product.  

Making delicious coffee at home doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating; all it takes is choosing quality ingredients, grinding fresh grounds just before brewing, and using quality filtered water during the process. Keep in mind that even small adjustments such as varying grind levels or adding different additives (like sugar or spices) can drastically change the flavor profile of your brew so experiment until you find what works best for you. With these tips on hand, now you can easily enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of joe every single morning without leaving your house.

While there are fancy attachments for the water faucet to filter water, I use the basic Brita that filters water and stores in the fridge. We just have to remember the last person to use it for their coffee, needs to put more water in it and not put it back empty. Ha! Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, I will get a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

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The Rise of Specialty Coffee: How Small Roasters are Changing the Game 

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Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and over the last decade or so, specialty coffee has been on the rise. With small roasters popping up all over the country, it’s no wonder that specialty coffee is becoming increasingly popular. Let’s take a look at what makes specialty coffee different from regular coffee and how small roasters are changing the game. 

What is Specialty Coffee? 

Specialty coffee is a high-quality product that goes beyond just brewing beans with hot water. In order to be considered specialty, a coffee must meet certain criteria. These criteria include things like flavor profile, bean quality, and origin of beans. A professional cupper—someone who evaluates the taste and aroma of coffee—must determine that its overall score meets the requirements set by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). While some large companies rely on cheaper beans from mass producers in order to maximize their profits, smaller businesses often source more specialty Arabica beans from countries like Ethiopia and Colombia — which offer a range of complex flavors not found in mass-produced coffees. This allows them to create truly unique blends that stand out from what’s available from larger companies. 

The Role of Small Roasters 

Small roasters play an integral role in providing quality specialty coffee to consumers. By utilizing their unique skills and knowledge, small roasters are able to source high-quality beans from carefully selected farms around the world and roast them to perfection. This process requires careful attention to detail in order to ensure that each batch is consistent and flavorful. By doing this, these small roasters are able to bring consumers something that they can’t get from mass-produced coffees.  

These small roasting companies often provide more than just great-tasting coffee; they also offer educational resources for customers so they can In many ways, small and independent coffee roasters are changing the game when it comes to producing high-quality coffee. Unlike larger, corporate roasting companies, small businesses are able to create custom blends that cater to their customers’ individual tastes. They can also experiment with different flavor profiles, giving them an edge in creating unique offerings that appeal to all kinds of coffee drinkers. And because small businesses don’t have large overhead costs like big-name brands do, they can offer more competitive prices for their products — something that’s always appealing to customers on a budget. 

Specialty coffees have become increasingly popular over the last few years thanks largely in part to small roasting companies around the world who strive for excellence when sourcing beans and perfecting their roasts. These passionate individuals are dedicated to providing customers with unique flavors and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else, as well as educational resources so customers can learn more about different types of coffees and brewing techniques. If you’ve never tried specialty coffee before, now is definitely a great time. So go ahead and explore your local options – you may just find your new favorite cup.

As I sourced the info for this article, I found a couple options to start roasting my own beans at home. Not for selling, but it could be fun to tune my own preferred taste. Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, I will get a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going.

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Retro Espresso Cups… just what the new kitchen ordered

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We are always hunting around for the ‘latest’ in retro or vintage looking coffee items. There aren’t many of the old favorites being reproduced so when I find something the whole household gets excited. While we have a nice collection of items on shelves and on the table for looking at… you know, ‘atmosphere’, what we really want is items we aren’t afraid to use. It’s a whole house of clumsy fingers so anything of value is put out of reach.

Last weekend we found these ‘vintage’ looking espresso cups. The site they are offered through was a new find for us as they sell all kinds of retro items that are made today in yesteryear’s designs. Sadly, we have to wait for these little cups and saucers just a bit longer as they are out-of-stock. The site, Retro Planet , does have many other fun items to look through till the cups come back into inventory.

Retro Planet says:

* Made of Designer Stoneware
* Microwave and Dishwasher Safe
* Includes 4 Cups with Matching Saucers
* Includes 1 Cup and 1 Saucer of Each Color:
– Light Green
– Light Blue
– Orange Red
– Brown
* Cup Measures: 3 Dia. x 2H inches, Holds 4 oz.
* Saucer Measures: 4.5 Dia. inches

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