Statistics show that around 62% of Americans drink coffee every single day.

However, within this, there are good cups of coffee and bad cups of coffee. Every coffee drinker has had a bad cup before.

For those of you who take your morning cup of coffee seriously, there are ways to ensure you extract the maximum possible enjoyment from it.

Read on as we look at the 15 ways to improve your morning cup of coffee

1. Choose Your Coffee Carefully

The most important place to start when trying to improve your coffee experience is the coffee itself.

You want coffee that is tasty and well-made, and that’s the right strength for you.

It’s important not to cut corners when buying your coffee. If you take your coffee seriously, it’s worth investing in a good product.

2. Get Familiar with Different Coffee Types

To get the best cup of coffee for you, you need to figure out what your tastebuds enjoy. There are different types of coffee, each with its own distinct taste. Visit Coffee Geek for other types of coffee and its equipment that are worth using.

There are light, medium, and dark roasts. The darker the roast, the darker and more bitter the taste.

However, lighter roasts tend to have higher caffeine content.

3. Get Active While Drinking Your Morning Coffee

One way many people nowadays are choosing to enjoy their morning coffee is while on the move.

Takeaway coffee has become commonplace in the 21st century. You can hardly walk a block in any major city without coming across a coffee shop.

This gives you the option of picking up your morning cup and going for a stroll with it. You’ll get the wakening effects of the coffee along with the refreshment of some morning exercise. It’s the perfect way to start your day!

4. Use Proper Water

There are two ingredients in your basic cup of coffee: coffee beans and water. Many people go to great lengths to find the best possible coffee beans but pay no attention whatsoever to the water they use.

This is a mistake. To get the best coffee, you need good water.

If possible, go for filtered water rather than normal tap water. Bottled spring water is also a good choice.

5. Use Fresh Beans

Like anything else, coffee tastes better when it hasn’t been sitting around for too long.

For avid coffee drinkers, this is less of a problem, as the coffee won’t be around long enough to go stale! However, if you’re not someone who gets through coffee at pace, you should consider buying it in smaller amounts.

6. Pick a Good Filter

We’ve covered picking the right coffee and using the right water. However, if you drink filter coffee, the filter you use is equally crucial.

This may not be something that has occurred to you before. After all, how much difference can a filter really make?

As it turns out, quite a bit. Cheaper filters can and do have a negative effect on the taste of your beverage.

Coffee aficionados recommend that you use dioxin-free or oxygen-bleached filter paper.

7. Store Your Beans the Right Way

As noted above, using fresh beans is one of the best ways to produce an excellent cup of coffee. If you have a large supply of beans, you’ll need to store them so that they don’t go stale.

An airtight container is key here. Experts recommend glass mason jars, which are available in most good supermarkets.

8. Experiment With Alternatives

We believe that there’s nothing quite so lovely as a nice mug of black coffee. However, if you want a change, or you’re trying to temporarily limit your caffeine intake, there are alternatives that can be just as nice.

Try a matcha or chaga latte, or a cup of dandelion coffee. These natural alternatives have myriad health benefits and might make a pleasant break from your usual morning coffee routine.

9. Choose the Right Mug

Admittedly, this tip won’t do anything for the coffee itself. However, having a favorite mug can be the icing on the cake.

It doesn’t have to be fine china. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. The “World’s Best Dad” mug that you got for Christmas ten years ago will do the trick, if it’s what puts you in a good mood when you’re drinking your morning pick-me-up.

Just make sure that it holds in heat, especially if you drink larger mugs. Also, if you bring it with you in your car, make sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand a few minor bangs or falls.

10. Buy Fairtrade

If you like to have a positive impact when shopping, you should always buy Fairtrade products.

Fairtrade is a scheme that was brought into existence to address poor payment levels and living conditions suffered by farmers and other production workers in poorer countries.

If you see the Fairtrade label on any product, you’ll know that the people who made it were given a fair payment for their efforts.

Because coffee production happens in many poorer areas of South America, it was one of the goods that were focused upon most by the Fairtrade movement.

Therefore, buying Fairtrade is one of the best ways to ensure that your morning cup is good not only for you but for the people that got it to you.

11. Grind Your Beans Properly

Pre-ground coffee is popular for obvious reasons. It’s easier and quicker than grinding your own beans.

However, if you’re really interested in getting the best possible coffee, it’s worth getting into the habit of doing the grinding yourself.

If you’re not sure how to grind coffee, it’s a good skill to learn (especially if you’re picky when it comes to your morning cup).

12. Clean Your Equipment Regularly

No matter what you use to make coffee, it won’t do the job right if it isn’t clean. Dirty apparatus will only give you sour, unpleasant coffee.

If you use a coffee pot, wash it with water and vinegar once a week. The same goes for a french press or a drip machine.

If this is too much work, you can clean pots and presses in the dishwasher as well. Just make sure the item is dishwasher safe before you put it in.

Coffee residue can be tricky to clean. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get, so get into a habit of cleaning regularly.

13. Don’t Reheat Your Coffee

This one should be a no-brainer. You wouldn’t expect a top-class restaurant to microwave your dinner before they serve it to you, would you?

The same goes for coffee. To get the best taste from your morning cup, always make it fresh.

Of course, if you’re in a rush this won’t always be possible. Just be aware that if you reheat, you’re going to be compromising on taste.

14. Buy Your Takeaway Coffee From Independent Stores

We’re not against multinationals. The increase in the number of coffee shops on our streets means that you can now get a hot cup wherever and whenever you want. For coffee lovers, that can only be a good thing!

However, if you’re after really high-quality coffee, you have to go off the beaten track to find it. Smaller coffee houses put love and care into each cup of coffee, and you can taste the difference.

Not only that, but you get the homely feel of a friendly, welcoming independent store.

Frankly, multinationals don’t need your support. If you can, buy your coffee from an independent store. Both your tastebuds and your local economy will thank you for it!

15. Choose the Right Sweetener

There is a certain snobbery among some coffee drinkers about sweeteners. Everyone knows a coffee enthusiast who will proudly tell anyone who listens that they prefer their coffee black, and would never dream of putting sugar in it.

Don’t let these people put you off your sweeteners. If you need to add something to make your coffee perfect, go right ahead.

However, don’t think you’re limited to sugar. There are several options when it comes to coffee sweeteners.

Have you ever tried coffee with cinnamon? The spice adds a beautiful kick to coffee and is far healthier than sugar.

If cinnamon isn’t for you, try artificial sweeteners. These taste like sugar, but won’t have any negative impact on your waistline!

Making the Most of Your Morning Cup of Coffee

There are hundreds of ways to improve your morning cup of coffee. Coffee means something different to everyone, so the best way to make the most of yours is to find out what works for you, and stick to it!

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