3: The Future of Processed Foods
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And if theres anyone who knows what theyre doing, its a food scientist.
Heres what to keep in mind the next time youre brewing yourself a pot.
How to make a perfect cup of coffee at home
1.
Choose the right beans
If youre not choosing high-quality beans, your coffee isnt going to taste good.
Its as simple as that.
food scientist and product development manager at Panaceutics
Bean selection is the most important part of a good cup of coffee.
Hands down, says Jackson.
Let the coffee rest for three to five days after roast before you consume them, she says.
During the resting period, your coffee will release carbon dioxide and brewing after degassing will ensure better extraction.
Consider the roast
The roast plays a big role in how your coffee ends up tasting, too.
The roasting process initiates one of the most magical reactions in food science: Maillard browning, says Jackson.
When choosing a roast, youll see theres a range from light to dark.
The key with this is knowing your preference.
According to Jackson, the lighter the coffee, the fruitier and more acidic it will be.
food scientist and product development manager at Panaceutics
And when you choose a darker roast, the beans are more bitterbut the flavors are more complex.
Your coffee should be stored in an airtight vessel with no light exposure, says Jackson.
And the reason behind that?
Both can cause your beans to go bad… very quickly.
And no one wants to start their morning with a stale cup of coffee.
Try thisairtight container from Airscape($31).
Thebenefits of coffee, explained by a dietitian:
4.
Grind your beans correctly
When youregrinding your own coffee beans, Jackson says to double-check the grind is uniform.
Aburr grinderis typically best for this, she says.
A good grind size for drip coffee is between table salt and sea salt.
Also, check that youre not grinding your beans too far in advance of brewing.
There are research scientists who have studied thislegitimately.
I could nerd out here, says Jackson.
I use distilled water when I brew coffee.
If you prefer a less intense cup, go with a 1:18 or 1:19 ratio.
If the water is over 205F, your coffee will be prone to over-extract and be bitter and harsh.
This isnt a hard and fast rule, but general guidelines.
So a water temperature of 200F is the sweet spot, Teoh adds.
Theres also the drip pour over method.
It highlights the acidity in the coffee and gives you a cleaner cup.
Its easy to use but requires a little more skill.
According to Teoh, there is no one best brewing method.
It comes down to personal preference.
I would suggest thinking about your lifestyle: When do you drink coffee?
How much time do you have to make coffee?
What do you enjoy drinking?
Her advice: Make one brew at a time and taste it.
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