Whether you have a stove top or a coffee machine, follow these handy hints for the perfect cup of coffee.
Keep it fresh:
Jamaica Blue baristas grind your coffee frequently, so that the volatile oils in our coffee beans that produce that great flavour remain ready for you to drink. Buy beans if you have a grinder at home, and only grind small amounts. Ground coffee will lose its flavour fast, so drink up! Store your coffee in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place. Remember you can buy our Jamaica Blue coffee varieties in store so you can enjoy it at home.
Finesse the grind size of your coffee beans
Grind size affects the extraction rate (the rate in which the water flows through the grind) Beans that are coarsely ground will result in the water passing through quickly and a slightly watery coffee taste. The type of grind your use depends on the equipment you are using to make your coffee e.g. French Press requires a course grind whereas a stove top expresso requires a fine grind. More on coffee grind here http://ineedcoffee.com/coffee-grind-chart/
Use good water
Serious coffee lovers use bottled water or activated- charcoal/carbon filters on their taps. Note: softened or distilled water makes terrible coffee- the minerals in good water are essential.
Use the right proportion of coffee to water
The standard measure for brewing coffee is two level tablespoons per 6 ounce cup or about 2 ¾ tablespoons per 8 ounce cup. However, you can adjust to taste.
Watch the heat
The proper brewing temperature is about 90c or about 45 seconds off a full boil. Be careful about overheating, this can result in a bitter flavour.
Top it off with great milk
Milk should be heated no warmer than 70°C. At Jamaica Blue, some customers want their coffee made hotter. Milk heated over 70°C will affect the natural sugars in the milk – so instead of getting a lovely, creamy, sweet and silky milk, it will become thin, bubbly, with no natural sweetness. Buy yourself a milk thermometer for home, as well as a decent milk jug. Ask your barista what shape is best.
Keep your equipment clean
Clean your storage containers and grinders every few weeks to remove any oily build-up. At least monthly, run a strong solution of vinegar or specialty coffee-equipment cleaner (e.g. Urnex) through your coffeemaker to dissolve away any mineral deposits. Rinse thoroughly before reuse.
Check out our online store for our range of coffees, from beans to capsules and enjoy our free delivery with no minimum purchase.
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