Once upon a time us Brits would settle for a cup of instant granules, burnt with boiling water and brought down to barely warm with some ice cold milk. It’s 2019 and those days are long gone. Artisanal coffee shops serving coffees from across the globe, with flavours advanced with bean specific technique, have raised the game exponentially.
In the UK we drink an average of 95 million cups of coffee a day and with 65% of this enjoyed at home, being able to create the perfect coffee at home is at the top of many peoples’ wish list. With the help of Irene Ippolito, Marketing Manager for illy, here’s our 5 IDEAL tips on how to create barista-style coffee at home.
GET FRESHLY ROASTED COFFEE BEANS
One of the first thing any coffee connoisseur will tell you is that there are two main types of coffee beans; the Arabica (sweeter, softer taste) and Robusta (strong, full-bodied). Finding the right coffee bean for you is essential to prepare the perfect beverage every time. It’s all personal preference, so get familiar with both and decide which you prefer.
IT’S ALL IN THE GRIND
The grind of your coffee will greatly influence the end result, as it impacts the amount of contact time between the hot water and the beans. Grind it too fine and you will have a bitter coffee, whilst grinding it too coarsely will give you a watery blend. Invest in a quality coffee grinder or machine to ensure every cup tastes like it was made by a professional barista. If you’re looking to gain even more expertise, you could even consider a barista course.
STORAGE WARS
Many underestimate the importance of proper coffee storage and its effect on taste. It must be stored in a cool, dry place but never in the fridge or freezer, as the defrosting process can actually damage the coffee beans, making them lose their original flavour. Keep coffee in an airtight container where you’d normally store your other cool dry goods.
USE A FILTER
Water hugely affects the taste of your cup of coffee, as it makes up 90% of the drink. Tap water can contain impurities such as minerals, metals and salts that can alter the taste, so the best thing to do is to use filtered water to give your coffee the best flavour.
KEEP IT FRESH
Don’t forget that coffee goes stale. Ideally, you want to drink it within a month of being roasted to savour that fresh taste. If you buy your beans whole you can choose to only grind what you need, when you need them.
