The most recent economic woes have caused most of us to start cutting the fat from our budget. Some of the most painful things to part with are the things we tend to spoil ourselves with. The little things that aren't necessities but we've come to enjoy and look forward to. Don't cheat yourself out of your favorite things; make room for them.
Your inner money critic may be telling you to cut out things like gourmet coffee from your favorite treats. While it may cut a sizeable portion from your budget, your taste buds are probably arguing with your inner critic. This feeling leaves you torn between great taste and saving money.
Fortunately you don't have to give up the great taste of your favorite Mediterranean or Sicilian gourmet coffee to save money. Invest in a gourmet style coffee maker and order high quality beans from a trusted source. Search online for the best place to order. Don't let price be the deciding factor.
3 Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Gourmet Beans
Understand Gourmet Beans: Coffee beans are grown in many areas around the world. The qualities that give gourmet beans their name depends greatly on where they are grown and the work put into growing, gathering and processing them. The word "gourmet" is used to define the rarity or special values of a food or drink.
Discover Bean Types: Of the more than 6,000 variations of coffee beans, about 25 are considered "gourmet". Two such beans are the Arabica and Robusta. We use these two types as an example because they're the most commonly used gourmet beans.
Arabica beans are known for their body and delicate flavor. They are grown in Central and South America. The Arabica bush is susceptible to disease, pests and frost; therefore requires more attention than other bean types.
Robusta beans are most known for their strong flavor and incredible aroma. They are grown in Indonesia, Africa, Brazil and Vietnam. The Robusta plant is very hardy and yields a much more caffeinated bean.
These are just two of the most popular bean types. Each individual bean type brings something new to the coffee enjoyment experience. Once you discover the type of bean you enjoy the most, look for discounts.
Order Online: Gourmet coffee beans will cost more than your average grocery store beans. Fortunately they're not nearly as expensive as going to Starbucks on a daily basis for your gourmet-powered caffeine fix. Order your gourmet beans online for the best deal on the freshest beans. On average, people report saving about $50 per month brewing at home as compared to visiting the coffee house each day.
5 Tips to Help You Brew the Perfect Gourmet Coffee
Clean Your Machine Often: A perfectly clean coffee maker will provide a better tasting brew. Sediment and oils can build up in your coffee maker and produce a stale or bitter taste. Over time your coffee drinking experience can become less pleasant.
Choose the Perfect Gourmet Beans: Whether you use the methods we outline here or you already know your favorite gourmet coffee bean, always use quality beans. Brewing the perfect cup of gourmet coffee starts with the perfect bean.
Use Filtered Water: Water free of impurities will ultimately brew a better tasting cup of coffee. If you use tap water, be sure it doesn't leave an odd taste in your mouth. Any strange tastes in the water will leave an odd taste in your finished product as well.
Properly Measure the Coffee to Water Ratio: It is relatively easy to make coffee too strong or too weak. Properly measuring the amount of grounds per ounce of water will ensure a better tasting cup'o joe.
Stir Coffee before Serving: After the pot stops brewing and before you pour that first aromatic cup, stir the brew carefully. Stirring distributes particles evenly so they're not confined to the bottom of the pot. Settling while brewing can cause the first cups to be too weak and last cups too strong. Stir before each cup.
Lili Rousso is a coffee aficionada who reviews Gourmet coffees from all around the world. This month she features the Lavazza Gourmet Coffee brand from http://www.aromacafeculture.com
