Wine of Araby! You’re probably thinking of an exotic bottle of wine right now, right? But … that’s not quite what it is. Let me give you a few more hints. In ancient days, some called the wine of Araby the bitter invention of Satan that refreshes, energizes and fuels your creative juices, and fires up conversations. What is this wine of Araby? Coffee, of course!
In ancient Arabia, coffee houses were called ‘Schools of the Wise’. These were places where one could come, meet friends, gossip, dance, play chess or even conduct business. This was the original social networking platform and even after centuries, coffee continues to be the hot spot around which life happens. And a lot can happen over coffee, right? You can meet your future spouse, have your first date over coffee, find out that a friend is getting married, finalize business plans, enjoy stimulating conversations, launch a website, enjoy a sunset, contemplate on life as you watch it pass by. And if that’s not enough, Time magazine featured an article recently called “How Coffee Could Save Your Life” describing how a healthy habit of drinking coffee could decrease suicidal tendencies. For coffee lovers, the pursuit of that perfect cup of coffee is both elusive and exhilarating and Michaele Weissman, famous author and coffee connoisseur, has beautifully encapsulated this obsession in her book called God in a Cup. The title of the book and its journeys to distant places and exotic lands in pursuit of that “perfect cup” is something coffee lovers can truly identify with.
But you don’t have to be a coffee connoisseur to be on a quest for that perfect cup! And you don’t have to be an Indiana Jones braving adventures in foreign lands to find a coffee shop that brews the perfect cup. I’ve discovered that you can have it right here, right now and right in your home. Here’s how...
First grab a cup, sit down, relish the aroma, sip and relax. Now listen …
You will need coffee, water and brewing equipment. Good coffee is a perfect blend of coffee, good filtered water (preferably RO), right brewing time, the right cup to drink with (smile …) and the right drinking time.
The Coffee: You have to try out different coffees before you decide which one is the best for you. Go for a medium or lighter roast coffee if you want coffee that is less bitter. Ground coffee is what is popularly used, but try buying the original beans and grinding them just before you brew coffee. You would need a burr grinder which grinds the beans evenly but coarse. The finer the grind, the bitter it tastes. Oily beans indicate that the beans are fresh. Dry beans are stale. Store the beans in an airtight container to retain its flavor and not for too long. Ideally buy coffee every 1-2 weeks.
The Coffee maker: You’d need to do some research, experiment and decide the right machine for you and your needs. DailyCuppaCoffee has a variety of home and office coffee makers along with all the accessories and you’ll probably find what you need there. Whether you use a percolator, regular drip, Melitta-style cone filters, French press or Aeropress, it’s important that you keep it clean. Rinse out all the grounds well and use a clean brewer, each time you make coffee.
Water: The water you use makes all the difference in the taste of the coffee. Are you surprised that this can make such a difference? Filtered water, preferably reverse osmosis would be better. Chemicals and salts present in tap water affect the taste of coffee. Heating the water to the right temperature is the next important aspect. Over heating or under heating water both spoil the taste of coffee. The ideal temperature would be 1950 to 2050 F. Before you pour the water on the ground coffee allow it to rest a minute.
The Right Proportion: The proportion of water and coffee is of utmost importance. You can follow instructions given by the coffee manufacturer or adjust the proportion according to your taste. Coffee aficionados suggest 2 tablespoons coffee for 6 oz of water.
The Brewing time: This is the time the water remains in contact with the coffee ground. It can be anything from 20 to 30 seconds for an espresso or up to 5 minutes for a drip system. That makes a difference in the taste. So go ahead and experiment. Try adding a pinch of salt to the coffee grounds before brewing to make your coffee less bitter.
Time to drink: Pour the coffee in a thick walled mug and drink it right away. If you keep it for more than 20 minutes, it will lose its flavor! And never, never, never reheat coffee! Did I say never? I mean … never! And again, never reuse the grounds. Use fresh grounds each time you make coffee.
Added flavor: And then of course you can add steamed milk, cream, chocolate, a dash of cinnamon for that extra flavor. Make it a latte, cappuccino or a mocha but whatever you add to it, it should not drown the coffee flavor.
As much as you enjoy drinking coffee, making or brewing coffee at home is also a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Right from the lingering aroma which pervades your home and perks you up, to the taste that satisfies—there’s nothing like making a perfect cup of coffee at home.