How to use coffee beans at home

It is safe to say that the struggle for pure, unadulterated, strong coffee starts with the right coffee beans. However, if wondering how to make coffee from coffee beans is what has often stopped you from buying these, and opting for instant coffee instead, you are not alone. While instant coffee is quicker and easier to use, coffee made from grinding coffee beans surely has a different flavour and aroma to it. Coffee beans are seeds of the coffee fruit, and these are dried, roasted and then ground to make coffee powder. However, the process of getting instant coffee ready requires processing, and that can alter the taste and flavour. A safer, and tastier option is to grind the beans at home. Yes, that is possible, and no, you don’t need to go broke buying an expensive coffee maker to do this. Here is a simple way to make coffee out of coffee beans.

How to prepare coffee from coffee beans?

Besides the many coffee beans-to-powder coffee makers available in the market, there are other simple ways of grinding coffee beans. Here is one way:

Things you need:

A grinder
Hot water
A mug
A coffee filter or a sieve covered with a muslin cloth

Steps to follow:

• Step 1: Fit the filter on top of your coffee cup, and run hot water once over the filter, into the cup. Once this is done, throw the water out.
• Step 2: Take one tablespoon per cup of coffee that you want to make, and grind this in the grinder. Place this on the filter.
• Step 3: Wet this ground coffee, and let it rest for about half a minute.
• Step 4: Pour half a cup of water, and let it sieve through the mixture. Pour the other half in instalments.

Your cup of freshly brewed coffee is ready!

Are coffee beans better than instant coffee?

In terms of taste, coffee made from beans has a stronger taste than coffee made from instant powder. Brewed coffee is made after running ground beans and boiling water over a sieve, while instant coffee is made by spray drying, and freeze-drying roasted ground beans to extract the flavour. Instant coffee is made from cheaper robusta beans, while brewed coffee uses Arabica beans, which have greater flavour and aroma.

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But if you are looking to cut down on caffeine, coffee beans might not be your answer. The caffeine content in instant coffee is 30-90mg, while that of coffee made from ground beans is 70-140mg, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Besides this, instant coffee is cheaper than coffee beans.

How to choose the right coffee beans?

There are so many different flavours and varieties of coffee beans available in the market that it can often get very confusing. However, here are some simple tips that you can follow:

1. Get your flavour right

You need to decide on the underlying flavours of your coffee – spicy, fruity, floral, chocolatey. Arabica beans come in various flavours, and knowing what you want will help you get the right beans. Robusta beans are also available in different flavours. In terms of caffeine content, Arabica coffee makes beverages with almost half the concentration of caffeine as compared to Robusta, states this study, published in Functional and Speciality Beverage Technology.

2. Decide your roast level

Coffee beans are roasted to make coffee. Roasting is the process by which green coffee beans are converted into roast coffee, states this study, published by Handbook of Coffee Processing By-Products. This will decide how strong you want your coffee to be, in terms of its acidity as well as flavour. There are mainly three roast levels – light, medium, and dark. A light roast will contain more natural flavours, while dark roasts are bolder and richer.

3. Milk or no milk

Yes, your decision to choose the right coffee beans ultimately also depends on the kind of coffee you like to drink. If you prefer black coffee, then light roasts are a great option, as they are more flavourful. However, if you plan on mixing milk, then you should go for a medium or a dark roast. According to a study, published in Food Chemistry, light roasts have a complex flavour profile, while dark roasts have more deep but simple flavours. However, dark roasts and thicker, while light roasts have a thinner profile. Light roasts are preferred as pour-over or drip coffee while dark roasts are great when combined with milk or cream.

4. Decide your blends

There are different kinds of blends available when it comes to coffee beans. Single-origin coffee is beans which are from one location, while coffee blends are a mix of beans from various origins. This can help you decide the kind of coffee you want to have as the taste varies.

What to remember while using coffee beans?

There are a few things that you need to look out for while sourcing as well as using coffee beans:

• Roast date: Usually, coffee beans are best brewed within weeks of being roasted. Therefore, it is very important to check this date while making your purchase.
• Oil levels: If you go for dark roasts, your coffee beans will have more surface oil. This a sign that can help you tell the roast levels apart. But if you regularly grind very dark coffee, the oil will cling on to your coffee machine and grinder. This can spoil your machine. Therefore, make sure your beans are not shining with oil.
• Check the packaging: No matter the kind of beans that you go in for, the packet needs to be airtight, otherwise, it will start to lose its flavour.
• Check out other ways to make your coffee healthy.

What can you use your ground coffee beans for, other than drinking coffee?

There are a variety of things that coffee beans can be used for other than drinking coffee. Coffee beans can be used as an exfoliator. Combine ground coffee beans with carrier oil like olive or coconut oil to create a gentle exfoliant. Using coffee for dark circles is also a great idea. It removes dead skin cells, improves circulation, and can help reduce cellulite.

You can also brew a strong coffee from your beans and let it cool down. Use it as a final rinse after shampooing. It adds shine, reduces frizz, and can help darken hair naturally. Coffee promotes hair growth as well.

These can also be used as an air freshener. Combine coffee grounds with potpourri in a bowl. It absorbs odours and releases a pleasant aroma.

FAQs

Can we use coffee beans directly?

Can whole coffee beans be brewed to make coffee? Yes, they can. However, the process may take very long. Coffee beans can be brewed overnight, and then consumed in the morning.

What is the best way to store coffee beans?

The best way to store coffee beans is in an air-tight jar or container. Storing them at room temperature in opaque jars is the best option.

How long are coffee beans good for?

Coffee beans can be used up to a year after they are roasted if they are sealed. However, once they are opened, they must be consumed in a month.

How do I grind coffee beans without a grinder?

A food processor can be used, or a simple mortar and pestle will work as well.