Brewing Good CoffeeOne of the planet's most popular beverages, coffee starts with a humble bean that brings fortunes to the nations that grow it and brings smiles to the faces of the people who love its unique taste. But while every choice coffee bean holds the potential of a fantastic sip of java, improper brewing can produce a truly inferior beverage. To ensure that your next home-brewed pot of coffee is a delicious and satisfying one, take a few tips from an expert in the bean biz.
Peter Longo, owner of New York's Porto Rico Importing Company, was born into coffee. The company, which has been in the family since 1958, is known for its extensive selection of coffee and tea, but Italian espresso has been the cornerstone of the business since it opened in 1907. Here Longo offers expert advice for brewing a great pot of coffee: - Freshness. The freshness of the coffee beans or ground coffee is essential to the quality of the brew. Longo recommends buying coffee like you would bread—in small amounts to guarantee freshness. It may mean a few more trips to the store, but it will also mean a much better pot of coffee.
- Grind. Make sure to buy the correct grind for your equipment. The grind for an auto drip coffee maker will differ for that made for a stovetop or electric percolator.
- Water. Great coffee starts with great water, so use something with a neutral pH balance. Filtered tap water or bottled water would be good choices for purists.
- Temperature. According to Longo, coffee should be brewed between 195 and 200 degrees. If you use an automatic coffee maker, check the specifications or call the company to make sure it works at the optimum temperature.
- Coverage. Another consideration for automatic makers is the spray coverage. You'll want to make sure that the water is soaking all of the coffee in the filter, not just dripping through one little spot and filtering through a small percentage of the grounds.
- Starting the day. Good coffee is important to Longo not only because it's his business, but also because it helps him start his day. And when his day begins with a perfect cup of java, he feels better able to face whatever lies ahead. Whatever your own coffee ritual is, make sure it involves the best coffee you can brew.
For more information about great coffee, check out the following organizations or websites:
The Porto Rico Importing Company
www.portorico.com
The Coffee Critic: Secrets of a Perfect Cup of Coffee
www.thecoffeecritic.com/fusion3/html/secrets.shtml
Enrico's Tazza D'Oro: Brewing Great Coffee at Home
www.tazzadoro.net/athome.html
About Coffee
www2.lucidcafe.com/lucidcafe/aboutcoffee.html
Open Directory: Coffee
dmoz.org/Recreation/Food/Drink/Coffee/ | 
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