In the Pantry: How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee

In the Pantry: How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee


Your morning cup of joe may be in jeopardy! This week on "In the Pantry" Aida Mollenkamp shares six tips that can help you make the perfect cup of coffee.

1. Read the roast date on the coffee beans. "Coffee doesn't last forever, so you want to use your beans within two weeks of them being roasted," says Mollenkamp.

2. Use the proper amount of coffee grounds. The recommended ratio is 1 tablespoon of ground beans per 1 cup of water.

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3. Use whole beans. Mollenkamp says you'll lose coffee flavor by purchasing ground coffee or grinding your beans the night before you use them. Purchase whole coffee beans, get a really good coffee grinder, and grind right before you brew.

4. Store your coffee beans properly.
"Humidity [and] extreme temperatures are the absolute enemy of coffee," says Mollenkamp. Don't store your coffee in the freezer. Instead, place the coffee beans in a sealed, airtight container to help them last for up to two weeks.

5. Use good-quality water. Filtered water will help the you get the best flavor from the coffee beans.

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6. Clean your coffeepot monthly. Mollenkamp recommends cleaning out your coffeemaker once a month with a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to two parts water.

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