Starbucks’ annual revenue last year was around $6.3 billion. While a good cup of “Joe” from your local coffee shop may taste good now and again, there’s no reason you can’t make a quality brew at home, save money, and be even more productive.
How do you like your coffee? Whether you prefer a light or dark roast, with cream or without, a good rule of thumb for brewing coffee is 1 gram for every 15 grams of water. If you’re not a novice, you know this.
For those of you that grind and brew your own coffee, you probably take pride in the seemingly mundane coffee brewing routine. Building from the ground floor up, there’s really no limit to what you can achieve (or create) at home.
With that in mind, here are some easy and effortless hacks that will help you elevate your grinding and brewing game, starting with the products you buy.
Table of Contents
1. Buy Whole Bean Coffee
There are two options when it comes to buying coffee beans: ground coffee or whole bean. If you’re looking to abandon your everyday drip coffee maker (and for the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that’s the plan), better brew methods require fine or coarse grind—whole beans.
Whole bean coffee stays fresher over a longer period of time and can be ground for different brew methods each time. While not as convenient as ground coffee (you will need to ensure they are ground correctly and purchase a grinder), whole bean coffee is a pro move.
2. Use A Coffee Grinder
Buying a grinder will allow you to grind and brew whatever beans you are interested in; using your own beans will also amplify the aroma and flavor of your coffee.
3. A French Press
A French Press eliminates the paper filter; it allows your grounds to come into direct contact with the water. The essential oils of your beans are then spread throughout the coffee as opposed to being left behind in the filter. All of the good antioxidants and nutrients end up in your cup (not just the flavor).
4. An Automatic Espresso Machine
Without an automatic espresso machine, making espresso isn’t easy. A machine requires not skill, will save you money, and will force water through your fresh and tightly ground coffee faster than you could order it. Be sure to look up a reviews of your many machine options.
5. Flavor Hacks
- Caffeine Shots
If you’re looking to kick it up a notch you can add Bizzy Coffee Shots to your brew.
- Add Salt
Salt can reduce bitterness; sodium counteracts overpowering tastes.
- Coffee/cream Ice cubes
If you like iced-coffee but don’t like ice cubes that water your drink down, freeze milk, cream or better yet, leftover coffee in an ice tray.
- Add Spices
You can add seasonal spices like pumpkin pie, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla beans, or even orange or lemon zest to the beans.
- Coconut Oil/Butter
Some nutritional experts think that blending your coffee with natural butter and oil can give you more energy, provide your body with essential nutrients, and raise your metabolism.
Extra Tip: Recycle Your Grounds
Maybe one of the best things about making your own coffee is the many things you can do with leftover coffee grounds. You can act as a natural fertilizer, pest repellent, they can neutralize orders and you can use them to lift stains from pots and pans.
Upgrading your “Joe” game is about more than just enjoying a good brew and saving money, it’s about maximizing productivity.
