|
Dark, mysterious, and perhaps a little sweet, a well brewed cup of coffee
To make a memorable cup of coffee, we must begin by looking at the beans. Coffee beans are sorted into several different categories based on how they are roasted, and where and how they are grown.
 |
 |
 |
|
Dark Roasts have been roasted to fully release their flavor. The mark of a great dark roast is the oiliness, a physical display of the flavors released and absorbed during the roasting process. Look for: |
Medium Roasts are more sweet than smokey, falling between light and dark roasts in terms of acidity and complexity. This makes medium roasts ideal for day-to-day drinking, where lighter and dark roasts may be better suited for special occasions. Look for: |
Light Roasts are roasted briefly--just for a few minutes until the first crack of the beans. They have a taste that's closer to the original flavor of the coffee cherries, which can vary depending on where and how they were grown. When looking for a light roast, look for:
|
To create a savory cup of coffee, you also need to consider geography. Different varieties are grown around the world, each with its own subtle flavors. They can be expensive but when properly brewed these beans produce some of the best coffee you'll ever taste.
Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
Coffee blends from the New World are known for having a light to medium body, and crisp, bold flavors. They are highly acidic, so you should notice bright and tangy notes dancing across your palate.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Brazil |
Colombia |
Mexico |
Guatemala |
Costa Rica |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jamaica |
Cuba |
Panama |
Peru |
Nicaragua |
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
As the birthplace of coffee, Africa has quite a reputation to uphold. And it does this impeccably: the continent's beans produce exotic and spicy flavors with hints of sweet fruit.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Ethiopia |
Kenya |
Yemen |
India |
Southeast Asia and Polynesia
The best-known Asian producer is arguably Indonesia, and coffees coming from this country are extremely full-bodied and flavorful. Look for a distinctive earthiness and smooth finish.
 |
 |
 |
Indonesia |
New Guinea |
Hawaii |
You will also want to look for organically grown coffee beans.
A good coffee maker can also make a difference in the taste of the final product. The wrong machine can turn your expensive roast into boiled bean water. Below are a few devices you can use to brew.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A stovetop method of brewing similar to that of a percolator |
The most common coffee maker. Nearly everything is automatic, so you needn't worry about the coffee boiling. This foolproofness can be a drawback, however, if you prefer more control over the brewing process. |
Coffee drippers allow you to pour hot water over the grounds yourself, through a filter, of course. This is handy when brewing a single cup; preparing large amounts of coffee at once results in a stronger brew. |
With a French press, you're steeping the coffee in hot water, then pushing down a plunger to filter out the grounds. A little labor-intensive but worth it, especially if you're using coarsely ground beans. |
A modern brewing device similar to the French press in that it involves manually forcing the grounds out of the beverage. Said to brew coffee as strong as espresso, but faster. This requires a very fine grind. |
Even a good machine can go bad without proper maintenance. You can buy a coffee machine cleaner,
Of course, the best beans in the world alone aren't enough to create the perfect cup of coffee. Simple coffee drinks, like black coffee, or coffee with milk, require a good coffee machine, good beans, and your own preferences for sugar and milk. Other drinks are a little more complicated:
 |
A shot of espresso is the base of many coffeehouse drinks, and is essential if you want to make a cappuccino or a latte at home. Espresso can be made from any good bean or roast. The difference between it and non-espresso coffees comes down to pressure: this is what gives espresso its thick consistency. A well-prepared shot of espresso has a golden brown foam called crema on top; if the crema is missing as it brews, something has gone wrong in the preparation (do be aware that it will dissipate naturally shortly after it is made). An automatic espresso machine |
 |
 |
 |
|
Lattes are an espresso-based drink that are pretty simple to make.
|
Espresso Macchiatos are basically espressos with a foam covering.
Feel free to get creative with the foam; you can pour it and shape it, or cover it with caramel syrup, as seen above. |
Cappuccinos present another variation on what we've seen so far. You want to use equal parts steamed milk and foam.
As with macchiatos, you can have a little fun with the foam by pouring it into shapes. For some help with your latte art, see this tutorial on wikiHow.com. |
A milk frothing pitcher
Iced Coffee
When making iced coffee at home, always cold brew it. Cold brewing takes more time but the natural flavors of the coffee will come through. To cold brew coffee:
A coarse ground works best. The ratio of water to coffee is up to you, but keep in mind that cold brewing results in very strong coffee, so you may want to use more water or lots of ice. A French press |
 |
Presentation counts. Even if ceramic didn't hold heat better than paper or plastic, it just looks nicer and turns your morning coffee or after-dinner drink into a special treat unto itself. You may keep your "I Hate Mondays" mug
 |
 |
 |
 |
Brown Espresso Cups and Saucers - Set of 6 These chocolate brown two and a half-ounce demitasse cups were made to serve espresso. |
Turkish Coffee Cups and Saucers - Set of 12 A gorgeous twelve-piece set that can be used for espresso as well as Turkish coffee. |
16-Ounce Stainless Steel Tumblers with Leather Heat Sleeves If you must drink your coffee on the road, do it with style. A leather heat sleeve is comfortable and a lot more stylish than cardboard. |
Aztec Design Latte Cups and Saucers - Set of 2 These twenty-ounce cups are ideal for serving that morning latte, and they look nice enough to display. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
