6 Tips to Help You Make a Better Cup of Coffee

For many people, coffee isn't just a way to get some much-needed energy in the morning. It's something they look forward to and enjoy very much -- especially in the United States, where 54% of people over the age of 18 drink coffee every day. If you're looking for a way to make your coffee even better than it already is, read on.

Keep your beans fresh
Whether you buy them at the grocery store or use the ones delivered by your office coffee company, always keep them fresh. Storing them in an airtight container at room temperature will keep the beans full of flavor. Additionally, saving your beans isn't a good idea. The "roast date" is there for a reason -- the further you get away from it, the poorer your coffee will taste.

Wet the filter
Wetting the filter, no matter the brewing method, will help get rid of any flavor the filter has. Doing this will also prevent the filter from slipping around in the machine.

Preheat your mug
Before you start brewing the coffee, add a splash of hot water to your mug. This will warm the walls of your mug while the coffee is being made, so by the time it's done, your mug will be nice and cozy. Your coffee will not only stay warmer longer but will also keep its flavor longer.

Make your coffee with good water
Gross water makes gross coffee, so there's no sense in making coffee with tap water that tastes like chemicals. Instead, try using bottled spring water or filtered water to get all of those yummy minerals into your coffee.

Don't buy cheap coffee
If you're lucky, your employer will buy delicious specialty coffee and tea from an office coffee company for you to enjoy while at work. For home, buying the cheaper coffee at the grocery store may seem like a good idea at the time. But once you get home and make it, you'll be sure to regret it.

Clean your machine
Oily buildup and mineral deposits will form in your storage containers and machines if they're not cleaned regularly. To prevent this from happening, clean any grinders and storage containers every few weeks and for home units run a coffee-equipment cleaner through your machine every month. At work, make sure to use the office coffee company recommended cleaning methods for the machines.

While it may be difficult to break your coffee-making habits, it's worth trying a few of these new tips. You might be pleasantly surprised and find a new, better way to make your coffee even more delicious.