It’s an American tradition to start the morning with a simple cup of coffee. Whether store-bought or home-brewed, nearly everyone enjoys great coffee. Follow the tips provided in this article, and learn now to make the best-tasting coffee.

Charcoal-filtered water is great for brewing coffee. You can place one directly on your faucet, so you always have filtered water on hand. Also, you can look for a device that has a filter already in the unit. Another option is buying charcoal filtered bottle water at the store.

Make sure you use the right proportion of water to coffee when brewing at home. Adding enough water is essential to keep your coffee from being too strong. If you want weak coffee, add more water. You should usually use two cups of water for each scoop of coffee grounds.

Use whole bean coffee if you can. Supermarket canned coffees more than likely were ground weeks before, if not months. Often age is a problem with these products; they are also produced from lower quality beans. Grind the beans yourself.

The optimal temperature for the water you use in your coffee maker is between 195 and 205 degrees. Many of the coffee makers you can find in stores won’t accomplish this task. Try heating the water for yourself when you are brewing coffee. Investing in a French press is a great idea.

If you find you need to reduce the sugar you use in your coffee, have no fear, there are alternatives available to you. Agave nectar contain sugar, but it doesn’t negatively affect the blood sugar control of diabetics. Low-cal sweeteners, such as Splenda and Stevia, can also be used.

Are you serving coffee to some guests? One way to spice up your presentation is to decorate your drinks much like they would at your favorite coffee establishment. Practicing flowers or leaves can leave your guests highly impressed. Try putting some chocolate and milk together and melt it in your coffee.

Fair Trade Coffee

You should buy coffee that is ethical, consider getting some fair trade coffee beans. Fair trade coffee may be a little pricier than the more common brands of coffee, however it is also tastier. You are going to be providing assistance to small farming co-ops in third world countries.

Do not buy coffee beans that are packaged or have added flavors. The sprayed flavors will be difficult to remove from your devices. Eventually, the flavors blend together and can impart a not-so-enjoyable flavor. Therefore, you should use fresh flavors, including cinnamon and vanilla. In addition, you can use bottled syrups.

The beans are what determines a blend’s taste. Try a variety of different brands and brews. Price should not factor into your coffee-purchasing decisions.

Before you add milk and/or creamers, put some flavor syrups straight into your warm coffee. Hot coffee is more effective at dissolving the syrup. The aromas and flavor of the syrup are stronger when it is prepared in this way. Once the syrup has completely dissolved, add the amount of sugar, milk, or creamer you usually use.

Salt may be useful if you find your coffee is too acidic. Make sure you don’t go overboard though. You only have to use a small amount. Sea salt may provide a more balanced flavor.

Stevia is a good sugar substitute if you are a diabetic. This is a natural sweetener that is better for your body. You can find it at most grocery stores.

Don’t make too much coffee. Many people follow the common practice of brewing a large pot that will sit in the open for an extended period of time. Although it is time saving, the taste is sacrificed when this is done. Only brew as much as you will drink right then.

Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, you know a lot more about coffee. You can avoid buying coffee from coffee shops and enjoy it because you made it.