5 TIPS FOR MAKING BETTER COFFEE

Key things to remember when making the perfect brew

BUY QUALITY BEANS

If you don’t have high quality beans, you won’t get the best tasting coffee. In terms of roast types, light roasts offer a sharp acidity, vibrant flavour and are lighter in colour. Medium roasts have a more rounded flavour and can be quite sweet, fruity and smooth. Darker roasts have a deep smoky flavour and contain less caffeine. Check the freshness of the beans by the roasting date: for the best possible flavours, brew your beans from seven to 21 days after the roast date.

GRIND TO PERFECTION

Customise your grind to get the most out of your beans. You can usually choose between a coarse grind, a medium grind and a fine grind. Depending on how you like your coffee, play around with the grind settings to find your perfect sweet spot.

TAMP IT REAL GOOD

Tamping your coffee before it comes into contact with water is essential. Tamping removes air pockets and gaps from between the coffee grinds so your coffee is flat and even. When water flows through the tamped coffee, it gives a balanced and bolder flavour.

DON’T BURN THE MILK!

It’s incredibly easy to burn the milk, especially if you’re using your machine’s steam wand. If you do end up with burnt milk, not only does it make your coffee hotter than the surface of the sun but it won’t taste particularly good. To avoid this, start with cold milk in a clean jug and place the wand in the centre of it. Create foam in the beginning of the heating process by moving the wand to the top of the milk. Once you’ve got foam, lower the wand and heat the milk up to a maximum of 65 degrees. Always keep the milk moving to evenly heat it and avoid it separating.

FIND YOUR TASTE

It’s important to find your own unique tastes and preferences. Try experimenting with your coffee with different amounts of shots, the occasional flavoured syrup, the amount of milk you add, different bean varieties and grind settings. You might surprise yourself!