Coffee is actually very healthy.

It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health.

The studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.

Here are the top 13 evidence-based health benefits of coffee, that have been confirmed in actual human studies.

Image courtesy of http://pearlanamara.ie/coffee-at-pearla-na-mara/

Great coffee starts with great beans.  We at Makua Coffee carefully roasts the beans you buy in small batches so that the coffee you buy is the freshest you can get. Unlike store bought coffee Makua Coffee is our craft, and that pride is why you will taste the difference.

So how can I brew the best Makua Coffee once I get it home? Well, let us give you our little spin as we live to drink the stuff and have tried just about every way to produce the best cup we can.

First the quality and flavor of your coffee is not only determined by your favorite brewing process, but the grind, brewing time, and water temperature can make a world of difference.

The Grind

If you buy whole bean coffee, always grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible for maximum freshness. At Makua if you order your coffee ground, we grind our coffee as close to the ship date so you get the freshest product available. We recommend that you use a burr grinder because the coffee is ground to a consistent size thus producing the best cup.

A blade grinder is less preferable because some coffee will be ground more finely than the rest. If you normally grind your coffee at home with a blade grinder, try having it ground at the store with a burr grinder. You’ll be surprised at the difference!

Do not underestimate the importance of the size of the grind to the taste of your coffee. If your coffee tastes bitter, it may be over-extracted, or ground too fine.  On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be under-extracted, meaning your grind is too coarse.

Brewing Time and Quantity

The amount of time that the water is in contact with the coffee grounds is another important flavor factor.

In a drip system, the contact time should be approximately 5 minutes. If you are making your coffee using a plunger pot, the contact time should be 2-4 minutes.

To ensure optimal flavor use 13 grams or 2.5 TBS per 8 oz. of filtered water heated to 195-205 degrees or just starting to boil.

If you’re not happy with the taste, it’s possible that you’re either over-extracting (the brew time is too long) or under-extracting (the brew time is too short). Experiment with the contact time until the taste suits you perfectly.

Drink immediately after brewing

If you are drinking hot coffee, enjoy from a warmed mug or coffee cup so that it will maintain its temperature as long as possible. Prepared coffee begins to lose its optimal taste moments after brewing, so only make as much coffee as you’ll drink.

Should you need to wait a few minutes before serving, the temperature should be maintained at 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Please, try to avoid reheating your coffee — you’ll ruin the flavor.

We hope this helps you get to the best coffee of your life.