8 Tips for Avoiding Bad Coffee

Life’s too short to drink bad coffee. Yet, every day, millions of people settle for a cup of joe that isn’t up to snuff. Some choose to do this out of convenience. Others just don’t realize that there’s something better out there.

Have you been going through an existential coffee crisis? Maybe you’re just now realizing that what you once considered to be the standard for coffee isn’t really all that. Don’t worry. Here are eight tips for avoiding bad coffee, once and for all.

Know the Best Local Coffee Shops

You’ve probably heard the phrases “quality over quantity.” In essence, it means that things are typically of a higher caliber when done in small batches as opposed to mass production. This rule certainly applies for the coffee world. The quality of coffee you receive from a mega chain simply won’t compare to a café dedicated to luxury coffee. Why? Because big coffee chains are unfortunately less concerned with the quality of their roasted beans (or should be say charred beans) and more focused on kooky promos for sugary milks (which have become a mainstay for fast-food coffee brands).

Be sure to look for places that offer high-quality coffee that is properly sourced and perfectly roasted.

Use Good Beans

Would you accept a burnt hamburger patty at a restaurant after ordering a medium-rare filet mignon? Obviously not. While the patty and filet are both beefs, only one can be described as a properly prepared cut of quality meat.

If this is the case, then why are you making coffee with the lowest quality beans? You can’t expect your coffee to be great if you don’t respect the beans during processing. You might also want to consider the type of roast you want. Darker roasts usually have richer flavor due to a longer roast time, but less slightly caffeine. The inverse is true of light roasts, which generally have a lighter body and mellowed aftertaste.

Grind Your Own Beans

It sounds like a huge pain to grind your own beans just to make a pot of coffee. After all, why would you do that when you can just purchase pre-ground coffee? The answer — because your coffee will taste much better if you grind the beans immediately before preparing it. There are a variety of reasons for this. Coffee oils risk contamination when the beans have been ground into a more vulnerable form. Oxygen and moisture can also more easily affect the chemical makeup of the coffee. The solution is to grind your beans just before making coffee. This will ensure you retain the majority of the important flavors inside the beans.

Use Premium Coffee Pods

Are you frustrated with the bland coffee that comes out of your Keurig or Nespresso machine? Then don’t waste your time with mediocre one-time use coffee dispensers. Upgrade your game to premium coffee pods. Brands such as Caffè di Artisan offer luxury coffee pods that give you the taste of high-end coffee and the convenience of single-use pods without a machine. Just pour the pod into hot water for a black coffee or froth the contents for a rich espresso. These new-age pods are perfect for people who expect a great cup of coffee, but also live a fast-paced or on-the-go lifestyle. Not to mention that these coffee pods are gentle on the environment as compared to machine-based coffee pod brands.

Ditch the Machines

Did you know that your coffee machine is one of the most germ-infested places in your home? Well, now you do. Coffee machines are the ideal habitat for bacteria such as E. coli. That doesn’t sound very appetizing. Additionally, most coffee machines don’t actually make better coffee because they simply burn the brew. A French press will make a better cup than a drip machine; and a premium, machine-free coffee pod will taste better than a K-Cup. So, don’t waste your time, health, and money on machines that don’t produce a superior product.

Get the Water Right

It should come as no surprise that the water you use plays a role in the quality of your coffee. In fact, about 98 percent of a cup of coffee is water. It’s pretty darn important. There are two things you need to think about with water: minerals and temperature. Where your water comes from will determine its mineral content. Too many or two few minerals will lead to an inferior cup. Temperature is also crucial because it plays a part in absorption. Make sure your water is hot enough, or you’ll end up with a disappointing cup of coffee.

Many consumers are also switching to alkaline water (with a pH level of 8 or 9, as compared to “regular” water which has a neutral pH of 7). The high pH balance of the water counter acts the acidity in the coffee, thus putting less strain on the digestive system.

Never Drink Instant Coffee Again

It should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway — instant coffee is terrible. It uses the lowest quality of beans and is processed to lose a lot of the flavor that makes coffee great. There have also been some studies that show a correlation between certain kinds of instant coffees and cancer. So, if you want to avoid bad coffee, you’ll want to swear off instant for good.

Learn Your Favorite Additions

If all else fails, send in the cream and sugar. Bad coffee can usually be made better by masking the taste. There’s a wide array of additions that people use to do this. Butter, salt, whipped cream, ice cream, and premium milks made from almonds or coconut are a good place to start.

It’s time to stand up against bad coffee. Keep these ideas in mind when trying to achieve your best possible coffee drink.