1. Use a French press instead of using a drip machine.
Even a cheap French press retains the oils in the coffee beans, along with all the delicious flavors they carry. Other huge advantage? French presses are easier to thoroughly clean.
2. Filter your water
If you think it tastes funny straight from the faucet, chances are it's making your coffee taste funny too.
3. Just add salt
Really! Adding a pinch of salt to the grounds can cut the bitterness of your coffee. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a special holiday flavor. No need to buy the more expensive flavors at the store.
4. Clean your coffee maker very well.
Any lingering residue builds up and diminishes the taste of the coffee over the months and years. Clean the equipment thoroughly immediately after each use. You'll notice that in new coffee shops and restaurants, the coffee is often better than usual. This is often due to the fact that all of their equipment is brand new.
5. Use cold water
Cold water is more fresh because it has not been sitting in your house or apartment's hot water tank for several hours or days. The fresher the water, the better the taste.
6. Grind your own beans, right before each brew.
As soon as the beans are ground, they begin to lose their flavor. Some say they hold their flavor for 9 days, some say 20 minutes. In any event, whole freshly ground beans taste significantly better.
7. Store the beans in a dark, cool place (NOT in your freezer!)
When you freeze coffee beans, the oils in the beans congeal on the outside of the bean, completely changing its flavor. This is especially true for dark roast.
