Coffee is something very personal and the right way to prepare it is how you prefer it. That said, mastering a few fundamentals will help you perfect your technique. From here, we invite you to experiment with different roasts, origins, or preparation methods. Here are our tips for preparing a classic cup of coffee. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe Beans Great coffee starts with great beans. The quality and flavor of your coffee is not only determined by your preferred brewing process, but also by the type of coffee you select. There can be a huge difference between roasts, so take a look at our guide to roast types. Some of the flavor factors include: The country and region of origin The variety of bean (arabica, robusta) or a blend The type of roast The consistency of your grind While there are many choices, remember that there is no right or wrong : For example, you can choose a dark, flavorful roast espresso and still have it ground to brew in a drip system. Have fun trying and savoring different combinations. Purchase coffee as soon as possible after roasting it. Freshly roasted coffee is essential for a quality cup, so purchase coffee in small quantities (ideally every one to two weeks). Check out our helpful tips on how to store coffee to keep it as fresh and flavorful as possible. And please, never reuse coffee grounds to make coffee. Once brewed, the desired aromas of the coffee are extracted and only the bitter ones remain. Instead, check out these six ways to recycle your old funds. If you purchase whole bean coffee, always grind the beans as close to the brew time as possible for maximum freshness. A coffee grinder or grinder is ideal because the coffee is ground to a uniform size. A blade grinder is less preferable because some of the coffee will be ground more finely than the rest. If you normally grind coffee at home with a blade grinder, try having it ground in-store with a coffee grinder - you'll be surprised at the difference! (Whichever option you use, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations when using your coffee grinder and keep all necessary safety considerations in mind.) The grind size is extremely important to the taste of your coffee. If your coffee tastes bitter, it may be over-extracted or ground too fine. On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be under-extracted, meaning the grind is too coarse. (Check out this simple infographic to help you determine the best consistency for your preferred brewing method.) If you have coffee ground to order, tell the professionals where you buy the coffee exactly how you'll brew it. Will you use a French Press? A flat or conical drip filter? A golden mesh filter? They will grind it specifically for your brewing method. The water you use is very important to the quality of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water if the tap water is bad or has a strong odor or taste, such as chlorine. If you use tap water, let it run for a few seconds before filling the coffee maker and be sure to use cold water. Avoid distilled or softened water. A general guideline is called the "golden ratio": one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. This can be adjusted to suit individual taste preferences. Check the cup lines or indicators on your specific brewer to see how they actually measure. And remember that in.