5 tips to Boost your Coffee Enjoyment with Nachtmann Barista

You can brew coffee at home in many different ways, each of which produces a unique flavor profile. Some popular methods include:

-         Pour-over. Pour-over coffee is brewed by pouring hot water over coffee grinds held in a filter above a small container, with the coffee gradually filtering into the container below. Pour-over coffees are made manually, rather than by machine, usually making just one or two cups at a time. The manual nature of this brewing method gives you a large degree of control over coffee extraction, as you can alter variables such as agitation, water temperature, the amount of water you use, the amount of coffee you use, and the coarseness of the coffee grinds.

-         French press. Also known as a cafetiere or a coffee plunger, using a French press involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in hot water for a few minutes before using a plunger to separate the brewed coffee from the grounds. This brewing method typically uses a non-absorbant metal or nylon mesh filter. This type of filter results in full-bodied, flavorful coffee that often possesses a slightly oily texture due to the presence of natural oils from the coffee beans.

-         Espresso. Espresso coffee is made by forcing hot water through finely ground, compacted coffee beans at high pressure to create a strong, low-volume shot of coffee. You can enjoy espresso coffee on its own, but it is also the base for some of our favorite coffee drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and Americanos.

You can use espresso coffee to enjoy a refreshing Hot Mint Espresso. To make this, make an espresso shot using your espresso machine (you can achieve similar results using an Aeropress) and add two mint leaves, 1 tsp honey, and a slice of lemon. The honey makes the espresso shot sweeter and more palatable for those who usually find espresso shot a little strong, while the lemon and mint transform this drink into a fresh, stimulating, and most importantly, delicious beverage.

-         Cold brew. Perfect for those warmer days, making cold brew coffee involves steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water at room temperature for an extended period, typically 12 to 24 hours. Once done, the coffee is strained through a coffee filter to remove the grounds. Cold brewing produces a smooth, low-acidic coffee that you can enjoy on its own, with ice, water, milk, or any other preferred ingredients.

Try experimenting with different brewing methods to find which approaches best suit your taste preferences. You might be surprised at how different the same coffee can taste depending on the brewing process.

Wherever your coffee's origin, whatever roast it is, quality matters. High-quality coffee has a richer, more nuanced flavor profile, and superior aromas to lower-quality coffee. Choosing high-quality coffee beans sourced from ethical and sustainable producers can also help to ensure that workers are paid fairly and environmentally friendly practices are undertaken.

To identify high-quality coffee when shopping, look for freshly roasted beans grown in well-regarded coffee-growing regions, such as Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia, to name a few. Once you have bought the coffee and opened the bag, you can inspect the coffee by checking that the beans are consistent in size and color and possess a fresh aroma, rather than a stale scent.

Mixing up the ingredients and brewing methods aren’t the only ways to improve your coffee experience. You can enhance any cup of coffee by manipulating the environment in which you drink it; a couple of ways you can do this with coffee is by combining it with social occasions or by including it in your morning routine.

Coffee has always been a social beverage; enjoying a cup with friends is a great way to connect and catch up. Consider hosting a coffee-tasting party, where everyone brings a different type of coffee to share and taste. Alternatively, you could visit a local coffee shop with friends and try out their different drinks together.

Adding coffee your morning routine can help you prime yourself for the day ahead. By mindfully enjoying your coffee as part of a grounded morning routine, you are able to savor and enjoy your coffee each time, helping to calm your mind and get your day off to the perfect start.