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Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pros spill the beans on how to make the best iced coffee you've ever had
Spring is well underway, and that means it's iced coffee season. Whether you prefer yours black or have been known to indulge in a frothy iced vanilla latte, we've got tips from the pros on making it barista-worthy at home. The key to avoiding a watered-down cup? Brew stronger coffee than you would when drinking it hot. What comes next? Sweetener, milk, flavored syrup — the options are endless. According to the National Coffee Association, 71% of coffee drinkers brew their coffee at home. When we asked industry pros how to make the best iced coffee from the comfort of our own kitchen, many agreed that your favorite coffee maker, whether you use a high-tech espresso machine or a simpler drip brewer, can work for iced coffee. "Making great iced coffee at home doesn't require much — just good coffee, a reliable brewing method, water and plenty of ice," says Nicole Maurer, senior brand manager for Mr. Coffee. "Controlling the coffee quality and brew strength is key." More tips right this way! Read more: Gotta a latte-loving mom or dad? These are the best gifts for coffee lovers in your life | The best iced coffee makers | The best cold brew makers Large-format cubes aren't just for cocktails. "Oversized ice cubes or spheres melt more slowly and keep your drink tasting fresh," explains Christina Correa, co-founder of The SisterYard cold brew concentrate. Another trick for fans of a strong brew is making ice cubes out of coffee instead of water. "This simple trick helps maintain a strong, consistent flavor as the ice melts," says Maurer. Lauren Abendroth, director of research and development at Death Wish Coffee Co. looks for callouts that the beans are organic and Fair Trade USA certified, "which indicates higher coffee quality since it is sustainably sourced and held to rigorous standards." No matter what you buy, "Always use freshly roasted coffee; anything within three weeks of the initial roast date should still be vibrant and strong," says Bobby Winston, director of coffee for French Truck Coffee. Freshly ground beans make all the difference in brewing a flavorful, strong coffee, whether it's cold or hot. "A medium-coarse grind for iced coffee provides a slow and even extraction for the best flavor in your cup. A high-quality coffee grinder will precisely grind beans right before brewing," says David Shull, executive vice president for JURA and Capresso. Getting the ratio of coffee to water right is essential to brewing the perfect cup of iced coffee, and you'll need a scale to weigh the coffee grounds. Chef Matthew Cutolo of Gargiulo's in Brooklyn, N.Y., explains, "A classic starting point is a 1:16 or 1:17 ratio — about 60 grams of coffee per liter of water. That's similar to how many Italian cafés balance strength with smoothness. For iced coffee, I sometimes make it a little stronger so it stands up to the ice." So, for a 1:16 ratio, you'll use 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water, which works out to about 2 tablespoons of grounds for every 6 fluid ounces of water. "There's something about drinking from a unique glass or tumbler that makes the whole experience feel elevated," says Correa. We couldn't agree more: It's easy to make your day a bit brighter when you reach for a glass, a to-go cup or even a straw that feels fun and a little special, while also being functional. When you're craving a chilled specialty coffee drink or you're hosting a festive brunch, the addition of a flavored syrup can really hit the spot. Just think of the response you'll get when you ask a friend if you can make her an iced caramel latte. "When I'm creating recipes, I use Monin or Maison Routin 1883 syrups. They are all-natural and have great flavor," says Heidi Rasmussen, senior manager of quality assurance and education at Illy. "It's better to start light with syrup. For a 12-ounce iced drink, I would start with 1/3-ounce and add more in 1/3-ounce increments to taste," she suggests.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
How to make the best coffee of your life with these pro tips
If your morning coffee's feeling a little bean there, done that, it's time to up your game. You could invest in a new drip coffee maker — or heck, go true barista-style and get an espresso machine. Or you could simply follow these expert tricks for how to make the best coffee using whatever brewing method you like most. When you drink it in moderation, coffee has numerous health benefits, including helping with weight management and reducing the risk of certain diseases like Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's. (If you're like me, it can also be a convincing reason to get out of bed, period.) No wonder daily java consumption is higher than it's been in 20 years! The pros we spoke to had different takes on the ideal brewing method, but they all agreed that to make the best cup of coffee, you need to put in a little work. I know, I know, that's a lot to ask when you've just woken up, but taking a few simple steps like measuring your grinds — versus just dumping them into your coffee maker — and researching the beans you buy can make a huge difference. They also had tips for sweetening up your cup, plus suggestions for coffee-making essentials no java nerd should be without. Smooth sipping ahead! Read more: Grounds for celebration? These are the best gifts for coffee lovers in your life The more info listed on your bag of coffee, the better, says Jeff Daniels, director of sales for Non-Fiction Coffee Co. "I look for details like elevation, sub-region, farm or farmer names, and processing methods. The more information, the more confidence I have in the quality of the green coffee and the intentionality behind its sourcing." Lauren Abendroth, director of research and development at Death Wish Coffee Co., also checks for callouts that the beans are organic and Fair Trade USA certified, "which indicates higher coffee quality since it is sustainably sourced and held to rigorous standards." No matter what you buy, "Always use freshly roasted coffee; anything within three weeks of the initial roast date should still be vibrant and strong," says Bobby Winston, director of coffee for French Truck Coffee. It's always a good idea to buy whole bean coffee: "Keeping beans whole allows them to last longer," says Shane Schaibly, senior vice president of culinary strategy at First Watch. And if you do, make sure you're grinding the beans to the right coarseness for your brewing method. "Too fine of a grind leads to over-extraction, which is another term for bitterness," says Abendroth. "Finer ground coffee should be used when the contact time between the coffee and the water is very short (i.e. a 60-second pod brew), while more coarse grind sizes should be used for brew methods that require longer contact time between the coffee and the water (i.e French Press)." One of the biggest mistakes people make when brewing coffee is using the wrong amount of grounds. "Most coffee brands typically provide optimal coffee-to-water ratios based on their research to ensure a balanced and smooth cup. Definitely pay attention to this!" says Abendroth. "When the ratio is off, the resulting brewed cup can taste over-extracted (bitter) or under-extracted (watery)." Or just follow the standard ratio: 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water, which works out to be about 2 tablespoons of grounds for every 6 fluid ounces of water. You can play around with this, though. "If you prefer a stronger brew, try 1:15. For lighter roasts that need a bit more extraction, experiment with 1:17," suggests Daniels. To ensure every cuppa you make tastes great, use a scale. "Coffee, like cooking or baking, benefits from precision," he adds. "Many people overlook the importance of using a recipe and instead 'eyeball it,' which can lead to inconsistent results." Fresh beans mean better-tasting coffee, so make sure you store them in an airtight container that's not clear and not glass, says Schaibly. "Heat, light and moisture are all damaging to the quality of the beans," he explains. Look for a cool, dry and dark place that's away from windows, the stove and any strong-smelling items — i.e. don't keep coffee with your spices! The same goes for ground coffee. Sure, you could use your regular old creamer or milk and sugar, but the pros we spoke to had other ideas in mind. "For unflavored coffee, adding a pinch of a fresh spice like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger can result in an elevated coffee experience and a little extra cozy feeling, especially in the colder months," says Abendroth. As for creamer, both Daniels and Winston like oat milk: "It has enough body to hold up to and pair well with coffee but is also relatively neutral, so the coffee taste still comes through," says Winston. Want to sweeten things up? "Honey and simple syrup pair well with coffee without overpowering the original blend's taste," he adds. "During the summer, I'll throw [some] cold brew concentrate, ice, oat milk and honey in the blender for a homemade frappe kind of beverage." Attention, all you iced coffee people: You don't have to suffer through a watery brew just because you prefer things chilled. "One unexpected thing I like to use is the large cocktail-style ice cubes for my iced coffee because it keeps the iced coffee cold without diluting it too quickly," says Winston. You could also freeze cold coffee in ice cube trays for an extra boost of flavor.
