How do you prepare a cup of coffee?

There are a great many ways to brew a great cup of coffee.

The basics, however, are universal.

You've heard it before... maybe you've even said it. " I make terrible coffee!" Don't panic. Brewing delicious coffee isn't difficult, you simply need to mind a few details. The following tips cover most every thing you need to know.

Buy whole bean coffee. Buying and storing our coffee in whole bean form keeps delicate oils and aromas where they belong - in the bean - safely locked away from their primary enemy, oxygen.

Store unopened bags of coffee in a cool, dry place. After you open the bag, store unused beans in an air-tight canister.

Don't buy more coffee than you'll use in a matter of weeks.

Always grind your beans just before brewing... and be sure to choose a grind appropriate for your brewing method. Grind coarsely for use in a coffee press, less so for a vacuum pot. Grind the beans fairly fine for auto drip.

Always use fresh, good-tasting, cold water. Brewed coffee is about 98% water, after all. Measure your coffee. Tastes vary widely, but a good place to start is between 1 and 2 tablespoons for each 6 ounces of water. Too little coffee won't make a weaker brew... it'll make a bitter brew. If your coffee is stronger than you like, you can always dilute it with additional hot water. Brew your coffee using clean equipment. Whatever your method of brewing, start with sparkling clean gear. Enjoy your coffee immediately... or store it for an hour or two in a thermal carafe. Don't let your coffee sit on a warming plate.