Waking up is hard. After stumbling out of bed and attempting to show some semblance of get-up-and-go, an oversized container of highly caffeinated USDA Certified Organic coffee might be the only thing between you saying f* it and crawling right back into bed.
However, some people may notice that the coffee they drink at home is not worthy of the mug it’s poured in compared to commercial options or the flavorful beverages crafted by their coffee snob friends. If you fall into this category, there’s good news: It’s your own fault. But you can make amends for your sorry swill once you understand how to fix it.
You Don’t Use Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans
When was the last time you purchased coffee? Did you ever check the roast date? Since you already knew enough not to purchase pre-ground coffee—You didn’t, did you?—the coffee that’s kicking around in your kitchen cabinets might be as dead as you are. Like many other products, coffee can become stale. To ensure you can get a good cup of coffee, check the roast date and try to use your beans within three weeks of the brew date if you actually care about flavor. Also, for the love of all that is good coffee, grind your beans right before you brew your coffee.
You Reheat Your Brewed Coffee in the Microwave
Drinking coffee is not necessarily a scientific endeavor, but making your coffee is. Literally. Science works its magic as your coffee cools, changing your coffee’s chemical makeup and making it more acidic. When you reheat your coffee in the microwave, it changes again—and not in a good way. Do yourself a favor and brew some fresh, strong coffee. If you can’t be bothered to make a fresh brew, do a 180° and pour your unloved, room-temp coffee over ice.
You Don’t Know What Type of Coffee You Like
There are over 100 different species of coffee beans. There are also various brewing techniques and roasting methods. Then there are your own unique preferences. While it’s quite possible you may be buying sub-par beans, maybe you just don’t know what you like. So figure it out. If you want flavor and caffeine, you can try a coffee blend featuring Arabica and Robusta beans. Arabica is flavorful, and Robusta has about 50% more caffeine than other coffees. An organic coffee blend of the two can be ideal. You can also find a roast you like (light, medium, dark) and the grind you prefer (coarse, fine, super-fine). There are a lot of choices, but you’re worth it, and your day might depend on it.
So don’t start your day with coffee that tastes like it was brewed over a dumpster fire. You can enjoy a great cup of coffee with high caffeine at home when you wake up with a great-tasting, Fair Trade coffee brand. Figure out which brewing method you prefer and get a coffee subscription so you never run out. If you’re still tempted to microwave your coffee … well, we tried.