FACTS & FIGURES Tips On Boosting Your Brewing Brainpower (NAPSA)—wWith interest continuing to brew in premium home espresso and coffee machines, this bevy of beverage-brewing tips will help to turn your morning brewing blahs into brewing ahhs. Before you begin making any type of coffee beverage, you may want to evaluate your machine. A clean and properly calibrated machineis essential in brewing the perfect pot of coffee or making the best cup of espresso. Experts at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and Krups, a leading manufacturer of premium home espresso and coffee machines, suggest that: For optimal flavor, grind your coffee right before brewing. *In order to preserve the flavor of the coffee bean as long as possible, it is important to keep coffee away from excessiveair, moisture, heat andlight. * Coffee should be stored in an opaque, airtight ceramic or glass container and not refrigerated or frozen. Moisture from storage in the refrigerator or freezer will deteriorate yourcoffee. eWhen grinding your beans, remember: larger grinds for coffee and smaller grinds for espresso. A good rule of thumb for making coffee is two rounded tablespoons of coffee per cup of water. IF COFFEE IS YOUR CUP of tea, remember that when grinding your beans, larger grinds for coffee and smaller grinds for espresso. The optimal water temperature for brewing coffee is 92 - 96 degrees. eAfter coffee is brewed, the filter should be removed immediately. The coffee that continues to drip from thefilter will be bitter and can ruin your fresh pot of coffee. Never reheat a cup of coffee. To keep coffee hot, brew using a coffeemaker with a thermalcarafe. Once brewed, coffee begins to lose its flavor within 15 - 20 minutes, so drink up! For these and other coffeerelated tips to boost your brewing brainpower, visit www.krupsusa.com. Note To Editors: FEBRUARY IS SPECIALTY COFFEE MONTH.
