One of the things you notice as you get older is that your tolerance for below par food and drinks is significantly diminished.

In my varsity days, I’d drink just about anything with caffeine in it, including the petrol posing as coffee, at the Campus Café.

While my need for a daily caffeine infusion hasn’t changed (if anything it’s stronger than ever), I’m a lot more particular about the beans that go into my morning cup of the good stuff.

Still, the same cup of coffee every day can get a bit boring, so if you’re keen to spice things up, The Huffington Post spoke to a couple of pros to get their top tips for turning your preferred brew into a killer cup of coffee.

Avoid Big Brands

Hugo Hercod was UK Barista Champion in 2008, so you can trust him when he says, “avoid the big brand, dark roast stuff which will always carry bitterness with it”.

Selecting your beans is the first step to a great cup of coffee.

We recommend the roasted coffee beans from Terbodore Coffee Roasters. Not only do they have a wide selection of top-shelf beans from across the globe, the company is also locally owned.

You can try out their coffee at their flagship establishment in Franschhoek, or at Café du Cap, 113 Loop Street, before making your selection.

You Have Your Beans… Now What?

You have to grind those beans before you can make coffee, and how you grind them makes all the difference.

For those who use an espresso machine or moka pot, finely ground coffee is better, and for those who prefer slower drip methods, like V60 or Chemex, try medium-coarse coffee.

Humidity and temperature can affect your beans so it’s important to grind them only when you need them. You also don’t need an expensive coffee machine to grind beans – it can be done in a blender or even a pestle and mortar.

Pre-Ground Coffee

If grinding your own coffee sounds like too much of a mission (I hear you), you can buy it pre-ground.

Once you’ve opened your pack of ready-ground coffee, Taverner, who co-owns Gelato Village in Leicester, advises storing it in an airtight container to reduce the effects of humidity, giving you more time before the oils in the coffee turn “rancid”.

The alternative is coffee capsules – just make sure that the brand you choose makes biodegradable pods.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re living that beans, ready ground, or capsule life, there are a few rules that everyone can live by.

When it comes to milk, baristas prefer full-fat – although we’re partial to almond milk here at 2OV because we’re all about saving the bees.

Another top tip, however you prefer your coffee, is not to have it too hot. Ideally, the perfect cup of coffee is enjoyed  “at the hot end of warm”.

Finally, if you really want to mix it up, have you heard about cold brew coffee? It’s an excellent alternative on a hot day.

You can find cold brews, and everything you need to make an excellent cup of coffee, here.

[source:huffpost]