Featured on Shine:

Food

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Related Topics:

Top 10 ways to make office coffee taste better

partner

I drink office coffee twice a day, which is a lot less than I used to consume. The company I work for (CondeNet) has installed a Flavia pod system in the communal kitchen. And it's considerably better than some of the drip machines you see in other office settings. Flavia is fast, non-messy, and certainly drinkable; you drop in a flavor packet, insert cup, and press a button. I can honestly say I enjoy the nutty Colombia flavor (more than hazelnut or other flavors any day), but, admittedly, the coffee doesn't come close to what you can get at Starbucks or if you made your own using fresh grounds or a French press. Still, for cheap, impatient workers like me, this system works well.

The key to making delicious coffee at work is to tweak the process. The tips below have helped me in offices throughout the country. Let me know if you have any other suggestions, finds, or bright ideas.

1. Use twice as much coffee (either two bags or two pods) and click "espresso" mode for every serving (prepare for major jolt)

2. Mix instant hot chocolate into the cup with the coffee (pour into cup after brewing and add milk)

3. Opt for creamier dairy: heavy cream, half & half, or whole milk, for example (you're not going to lose weight by skimping on flavor in your coffee)

4. Try sprinkling a pinch of salt into the grounds before brewing (not into cup, please)

5. Brew with filtered water only

6. Cleanse the palate before consuming (coffee may seem bitter after especially sweet foods)

7. Make a fresh pot (who knows how long that liquid has been sitting there?)

8. Clean the pot (who knows the last time that thing was cleaned?)

9. Drink as soon as possible; the coffee changes flavor over time

10. Ask your company to experiment with new vendors (preferably fair-trade, organic, and shade grown)


James Oliver Cury is the executive editor of Epicurious.com. He is a member of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee and has been a judge at the Culinary Institute of America, the Jack Daniels World Barbecue Championship, and the Food Network's Iron Chef show. He's written for dozens of magazines, including Esquire, Playboy, Details, Entertainment Weekly, Maxim, Men's Journal, SPIN, Glamour , US Magazine, Food & Wine, and Every Day with Rachael Ray.

MORE FROM EPICURIOUS

  • Recipe Slideshows
    Assorted galleries featuring pictures and recipes from Epicurious.com

Related: coffeemaker, coffee, breakfast

Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 16
  • Aileen's Avatar
    Posted by Aileen Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:05pm PDT

    thanks

    Report Abuse
  • Aileen's Avatar
    Posted by Aileen Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:31pm PDT

    Dad and my brother LOVE coffee:-D

    Report Abuse
  • Mary's Avatar
    Posted by Mary Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:23pm PDT

    I was in Georgia visiting with some of my family, and the discussion of coffee came up. I was told that if you add a dash of salt to the coffee before brewing it, it will taste fresh all day. My sister worked in the food industtry and told me that's what they did when they made coffee. I tried it when I got back home, and it actually does seem to taste fresh after I had my third cup.

    Report Abuse
  • Nancy's Avatar
    Posted by Nancy Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:41pm PDT

    My neighbor who is a one of those all day coffee drinkers puts a pinch of cinnamon in his before he brews it. He tried it after seeing it on some show & said it was really good.

    As for myself, I like the mocha or marble macchiato from StarBucks. When I watched them was coffee, chocolate syrup, sugar & milk. Truthfully I like mine better!

    Report Abuse
  • Miss M's Avatar
    Posted by Miss M Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:01am PDT

    I really love coffee...This is great. I have been experimenting on making coffee blends...Thanks for the info...This a twist for my taste.

    Report Abuse
  • PHIL's Avatar
    Posted by PHIL Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:33am PDT

    True filtered water, never tap water. Remove from heat after brew. Insulated style Carafe a must.

    Fresh ground for each batch. Milk/cream a plus. Makes it good for you in someway.

    No sugar, but dipping cookies is allowed unless it's a five speed gear box.

    Report Abuse
  • Am I there yet?'s Avatar
    Posted by Am I there yet? Tue Jul 1, 2008 6:22am PDT

    Wow those are really good suggestions for making better office coffee! Thank you for posting this topic!

    Report Abuse
  • Becky's Avatar
    Posted by Becky Tue Jul 1, 2008 8:07am PDT

    A friend of ours, who makes the best coffee ever, does salt and a little bit of butter in the grounds. He learned this trick working at a drive-in as a teen. He said people would come to the drive-in concession stand just for the coffee.

    Report Abuse
  • Alex's Avatar
    Posted by Alex Tue Jul 1, 2008 8:47am PDT

    My husband drinks instant coffee (ick!) and I find that if you add a dash of cinnamon to the boiling water it takes some of the fake edge off.

    Also, super cold water to brew coffee is the best for me. The best tasting coffee ever was when I used my Bodum Santos electric. It brewed the coffee at the perfect temp and it shut off 20 minutes from the time it began brewing. Even crappy coffee (millstone) tasted good in it.

    Report Abuse
  • cindy's Avatar
    Posted by cindy Tue Jul 1, 2008 9:47am PDT

    I have heard of sprinkling a pinch of sugar on the grounds works too.

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 16

leave your comment

You must sign in to post a comment

Sign In for personalized information

New User? Sign Up

Let’s talk: Manage My Stuff Write a Post

Updates Chatter on Shine…

See More Chatter »

food byte

Thanks to the economy, cookie-exchange parties are more popular than ever. For recipes that will dazzle any crowd, check out BHG.com's 30 greatest cookie hits.

Read more »

Sponsored Links