Believe it or not, a lot can go wrong in brewing your cup of coffee. Here are some steps to consider:

Use fresh roasted specialty grade coffee beans

• Unlike wine - roasted coffee beans do not improve with age!

• Retail coffee chain and grocery store coffee beans can be 6 months old or more by the time you buy it - yes, even the famous coffee chains!

• Specialty grade coffee beans are the highest grade level, even higher than premium grade!

• Large, well-known commercial brands regularly use cheap, low grade coffee beans to increase profits.

Fresh grind your coffee beans

• Previously ground, canned and coffee pods are not fresh. Period.

• Always grind your coffee beans immediately before brewing - get 90% more flavors.

• Grinding a bean is like opening a bottle of wine. The clock ticks!

• Preferably use a burr grinder - it provides a consistent grind and produces better extraction of the flavor and oils.

• Use a course grind for slower - and finer for faster brew cycles.

Fresh brew your coffee

• Use fresh, clean water - bad water makes bad coffee. An activated charcoal water filter is sufficient. Use soft water for espresso. Distilled water can leave coffee tasting flat.

• The ideal brew cycle is 4 - 5 minutes.

• Brew at 195 to 205 Fahrenheit - it produces the best extraction.

• Most older consumer coffee machines brew too cold - below 170 degrees.

• Many newer models brew in the desired temperature range.

• Never use a percolator - they boil and over-extract making bitter coffee!

• Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee for 6 oz. of water - adjust for taste.

Savor the experience

• Enjoy fresh brewed coffee immediately or use a pre-heated stainless steel or insulated thermos.

• Fresh roasted coffee will be a rewarding experience - savor it.

• Contemplate the nuances of each cup - wine lovers will relate!

• Avoid using Styrofoam or plastic cups - they can leach offensive tastes.

• Use pre-warmed, ceramic, glass or china to serve - keeping your cup warm. 

Store beans at room temperature

• Store coffee beans for up to a month in an airtight container at room temperature - ceramic or glass is best.

• Do not store coffee beans in refrigerator - moving back and forth causes condensation and will degrade coffee.

• For greater than 1 month supply, freeze - then restock your airtight countertop container and keep at room temperature.

Keep your equipment clean

• This includes coffee grinders, brew baskets, spray heads, decanters, etc.

• Over time, coffee oils form a residue on the surfaces of these components that will affect every batch of coffee it touches.