Common Coffee Mistakes You’re Probably Making
Even the biggest coffee fans can make a few rookie mistakes when brewing their daily cup, or three. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what you’re doing wrong, and the perfect cup of coffee isn’t too far out of reach.
Whether you like to think of yourself as a home barista, or you’re just getting started with a monthly coffee subscription, there are a few simple ways you can get the best out of every single cup. Here are some of the most common coffee mistakes you’re probably making and how you can enjoy FiXX Coffee as it was intended.
Using Decorative Storage Tins
While they might look pretty and perfectly match your toaster or microwave, decorative storage tins are almost always ruining your coffee. Especially if you keep them on your worktops next to your kettle. Coffee doesn’t like heat, light, oxygen or moisture, yet we still see so many people storing their beans or ground coffee in clear containers with lids precariously balanced on top.
Sorry to ruin your kitchen aesthetics, but your coffee should really be kept in an airtight container and stored in a dark cupboard away from heat sources. Something like the CoffeeGator canister is ideal, or at very least use the FiXX storage clips on your opened bags of beans. Don’t forget that coffee will absorb surrounding odours too, so think carefully about what you’re putting your coffee next to in the cupboard.
For some more storage tips, take a look at this blog all about how to keep your favourite FiXX fresher for longer at home.
Assuming ‘One Grind Fits All’
Lots of people now buy whole coffee beans, and kudos to you if you do. Whole beans stay fresher for longer, and you can just grind them at home when you need them, right? Well, yes. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to grinding your own beans.
When you buy a coffee grinder, don’t throw away the instructions and make sure you actually know how to use it before you waste some of our precious beans on a rogue trial run. Not all grinds are created equal, and using the wrong grind size can seriously mess with the flavour.
The grind size should match the brewing method you’re using. Using a French press? Go for a coarse grind. Got a pour-over coffee maker? Medium grind is the way to go. Feeling brave and trying an espresso at home? Then fine grind is the only way to go.
Not sure which grind to use? Don’t worry, we’ve covered everything in our comprehensive guide to coffee grind size.
Getting the Water All Wrong
You might not think too much about the water you’re using. After all, the coffee beans are the star of the show, but trust us, the water matters. Ultimately, if the water you’re using tastes weird straight from the tap, it will taste weird in your coffee too. You might want to invest in a water filter or use bottled water, but be careful of the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels.
Also, make sure the water is the right temperature. The way you’re brewing the coffee and the types of coffee beans you’re using will impact how hot the water should be, but as a general rule, the ideal temperature range is from 90°C to 96°C.
Lastly, when it comes to water, most people will eyeball the measurements. Yet, you really need the Goldilocks ratio; not too much and not too little. For a great-tasting cup, use digital scales or a measuring spoon and aim for a 60g:1L coffee-to-water ratio.
Forgetting About Your Coffee
We know that life is busy and far too often, a pot of coffee will be forgotten about. But if you’re brewing coffee and then letting it sit there for an hour or so, it’s no wonder that it tastes bad.
Coffee should be enjoyed fresh, and don’t even think about microwaving an old cup that was left on the side before the school run or the delivery driver knocked and you got distracted.
Choose a brewing method that works for your lifestyle, and our useful blog can help you decide whether immersion or percolation brewing is best for you. If you’re usually in a rush and you want to make a delicious cup of coffee as quickly as possible, so you don’t forget about it, the AeroPress or an espresso machine could be the perfect brewer for you.
Relying on Old Coffee Beans
Coffee doesn’t go “off” in the same way milk does; it won’t suddenly turn sour and ruin your cereal. But it definitely loses its magic over time. If you’re using a bag of coffee beans or ground coffee that has been open for months, it won’t give you the full FiXX experience.
Using a coffee subscription service is one of the quickest and easiest ways to enjoy delicious coffee. You can order the right-sized bag for the amount of coffee you drink and adjust the frequency of deliveries to meet your needs. You’ll always have coffee arriving on your doorstep, so you’ll never have to scrape the bottom of a stale bag again.
How long your coffee lasts will depend on how you store it, and now we’ve told you how to store it properly, there’s no excuses. With a coffee subscription, you can keep things fresh without even thinking about it. Now is the time to throw away the bag you’ve had for months.
Get the Best Flavour with a Coffee Subscription in Ireland
Most coffee mistakes come down to little things; wrong storage, too much water or stale beans. With a few simple changes, you can seriously level up your coffee game at home.
If you love a daily cup of coffee, and let’s face it, who doesn’t? A FiXX Coffee subscription is the perfect way to enjoy multi-award-winning coffee delivered straight to your door, no uninspiring supermarket stuff here.
For our useful brew guides or some fun coffee recipes to try, take a look at the rest of our website today.
