Coffee - How to Brew a Great Coffee Machine Cup

Brewing a great cup of coffee with a basic brewing machine is possible. You don't need a thousand dollar espresso master to be an at-home barista.

However, brewing a tasty cup of java takes work and preparation. To learn more about how to brew a great machine cup of America's favorite morning drink, keep reading.

Clean Machine

Start your brewing process by making sure your machine is clean. You should be cleaning out the pot with soap and water after every use and making sure that you rinse it out well. You don't want to leave behind any used grounds or the bitter taste of that previously brewed on the inside of the machine.

Ideally, your pot should be thoroughly clean and decalcified or descaled at least once a month. To do this, you can use a mild solution of lemon and water or a specific descaling product designed for such machines.

Clean Tools

Next, make sure your brew's preparation tools are also clean. This includes your reusable filter container and scoop spoon. Most coffee brewers use the same spoon over and over, going as far as to store the scoop inside the container.

However, the metal or plastic from your scoop can react with the coffee and affect its natural flavor, so avoid doing this. Instead, store it in a clean area perhaps with or near your other silverware.

Filtered Water

Try using filtered or pure water the next time you brew a pot of java and note the difference when compared to tap water. By removing sediment, minerals and other taste-affecting particles, you can ensure the pure water you'll be using won't affect the taste of your brew.

Many coffee machines come with water filters. If yours includes a filter, remember to clean it and replace it on a regular basis to avoid build-up or calcification.

Additionally, some people also love the clean taste of distilled water, using their own countertop water distiller. Using home distilled water can significantly improve the taste.

Proper Storage

Coffee should be stored in a dark place at room or refrigerator temperature. Freezing the beans or grounds may make it last longer, but it can also negatively affect the taste.

So, instead of buying your coffee in bulk and freezing it, buy yours freshly roasted and use it within the week. Find a local roaster in your area and go directly to the source for that truly fresh taste.

Freshly Ground

Ideally, you should be buying whole ground coffee and grinding the beans immediately before you start brewing. This will lock in freshness and keep your hot drink from going stale.

When grinding, remember that how fine you grind the beans will affect the taste. If coffee is too finely ground, it will taste bitter, but if it's not ground enough, it will taste flat.

Good Measurements

A good measurement ratio is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Using much more than that will give your brew a taste that is too strong for most.

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