COFFEE BREWING TIPS FOR THE HOME...

• In order to brew good coffee at home you must start with good beans.  Be sure of their freshness as well as their quality.  In Denver, there are a few places where you can buy good, fresh beans.  (Metropolis Coffee is of course on this short list.)

• Always purchase whole bean coffee (never pre-ground), and grind just prior to use.  Yes, this is an inconvenience compared to buying pre-ground, but it is an absolute must if you want to end up with a tasty cup.  Home coffee grinders are very inexpensive and can be found at most department and kitchen/home stores.

  

   

• Your coffee should be stored in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place.  Contrary to popular belief, coffee should never be placed in the freezer or refrigerator.  The freezer damages the flavor oils that are important to good-tasting coffee and the refrigerator has too much humidity.

• Always begin with cold (preferably filtered or bottled) water to brew your coffee.

• When it comes to grinding your coffee (again, always grind just prior to use), how coarse or fine depends on your brewing method.  The general rule is, the longer the brew-cycle, the coarser the grind.  Example:  French press method should be ground coarser than coffee brewed in an espresso machine.  Many home drip brewers have one of two filter shapes: a flat-bottom or a cone.  The flat-bottom filter requires a slightly coarser grind than a cone-shaped filter.  Trial and error is the best method for suiting the grind to your tastes and equipment.

• To determine the amount of coffee to use, start with the general guideline of two tablespoons of ground coffee for each six ounces of water.  The best method here is also trial and error to suit your own personal tastes.