From improving the taste of coffee to repurposing leftover coffee grounds, the following coffee hacks will help you get the most out of your coffee experience.
Coffee Hacks for Enhancing Taste:
1. Use Salt to Reduce the Bitterness
Now, while we don’t suggest that you start spooning salt instead of sugar into your coffee, it is proven that salt will make your coffee taste less bitter. The salt will only alter the taste, not the coffee itself. Explore Office Coffee’s range of coffee to suit your taste.
2. Butter or Coconut Oil
If you are seeking a way to create a creamier, more delicious coffee, this is the tip for you. Add butter or coconut oil to coffee for added texture and richness, remember to add this in moderation.
3. Spice it up
Before brewing, add your favourite spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the grounds to create an infusion that will add depth to your coffee and as a healthy alternative to sugar.
4. Vanilla extract addition
A little bit of vanilla extract goes a long way. This coffee hack is perfect for adding some sweetness to your coffee. Why not organise a tasting to find the coffee for you?
5. Use Eggshells to Reduce the Acidity of Coffee
It may sound a bit strange, but this hack seems to work according to TikTok. Eggshells are alkaline, so adding crushed eggshells to coffee grounds before brewing can help neutralize some of the coffee’s acidity. This can result in a smoother, less bitter cup of coffee, which might be preferred by some people, especially those sensitive to acidic drinks.
6. Coffee Ice Cream
Next time you fancy a sweet coffee-tasting treat blend ice cream with coffee to create a delicious dessert.
7. Cleanse Your Palate
When you are enjoying your coffee, consider introducing a small piece of chocolate or a slice of fruit can enhance and reset your palate. The contrast of flavours, such as the sweetness of chocolate or the acidity of fruit can reset your taste buds. This heightens your sensitivity to the next sip of coffee.
Brewing Coffee Hacks
8. Leftover coffee to ice cubes
Don’t throw away your next coffee leftovers, pour the coffee into an ice cube tray to freeze and enjoy your next iced coffee with special ice cubes. No more diluted iced coffees.
9. French Press Milk Frother
If you want frothy milk but do not have a milk frother, do not worry as you can use your French press to plunge the warm milk quickly. This technique creates frothy milk perfect for a latte.
Coffee Ground Hacks
10. Plant Fertiliser
Did you know that coffee has nutrients that aid plant health? Next time you are about to throw away your coffee grounds, remember you could sprinkle them onto indoor or outdoor plants for the added zinc and potassium plants crave.
11. Odour Neutraliser
Coffee can absorb unwanted odours, therefore this is a great hack for fridge odours as all you have to do is simply place a bowl of coffee grounds into the fridge and say goodbye to bad smells.
12. Coffee Ground Composting
Coffee grounds can be a great addition to your compost bin as they are nutrient-rich and aid the breakdown of dense materials. They also promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the compost pile, which is what you want for decomposition and top-notch soil. Compositing is great for the environment for many reasons, check out how Puro Coffee also helps the environment.
13. Skin exfoliator
Swap your exfoliator for coffee grounds as they are an excellent natural scrub alternative due to their abrasive texture that can remove dead skin cells, as well as improve circulation. Not only is this an environmentally friendly option, but it is also free from synthetic chemicals often found in commercial exfoliating products.
14. Hair growth stimulator
There’s some discussion about the potential benefits of coffee grounds for hair growth, primarily attributed to caffeine’s stimulating effects. Coffee contains antioxidants that could help protect the scalp and hair follicles and potentially support a healthier environment for hair growth. Why not give it a try if you want your hair to grow?
15. Baking
Coffee grounds can be a fantastic addition to various baked goods, offering a rich, deep flavour to complement sweet treats. This hack is really simple, all you need to do is add a tablespoon or two of finely ground coffee to chocolate cake or brownie batter. The coffee should intensify the chocolate flavour without making the dessert taste like coffee.
16. Coffee Cleaning Hacks
Similar to eliminating bad odours, coffee can also be used for cleaning purposes due to its deodorising properties and gritty texture, making it effective for scrubbing away grime and residues without scratching surfaces like sinks or cookware. Give it a go and see if this works for you.
17. Coffee grounds as a natural dye
Fancy dying some clothes or fabric? Why not try this tip and use an organic and chemical-free dye to give a new life to your old items, for free? All you need to do is immerse the fabric into the coffee dye bath. Allow it to soak for varying durations depending on the desired colour intensity and stir the fabric occasionally to ensure even colouring.
18. Coffee Ground Wood Stain
Using coffee to stain wood is an organic and inexpensive way to change the look of wood. All you need to do is mix coffee grounds with a bit of water to create a stain for unfinished wood. Apply this natural stain using a cloth or brush for a unique, earthy finish on wood surfaces, and enjoy your new wood colour.
19. Coffee Ground Rust Remover
Coffee grounds mixed with water to create a paste can tackle rust on metal surfaces. Apply the paste to the rusted area, wait 15-20 minutes, then gently scrub. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary. This rust hack is a mild, natural method suitable for light to moderate rust.
Health and Lifestyle Coffee Hacks
20. Caffeine Content Control
If you are in the mood for a reduced caffeine intake, try steeping your coffee for less time. This usually works for French presses or tea bags, if you use these give them a try next time you do not want to feel the effects of coffee as much.
21. Coffee Before a Nap
We know what you are thinking about this, surely this does not aid sleep, however, it can negate the grogginess feeling when you wake up. As coffee takes around 20-30 minutes to be absorbed into the bloodstream, those taking a power nap, usually lightly sleep for this amount of time and when awake again, the effects of the caffeine will start to kick in, helping you feel even more alert.
22. Coconut Sugar Sweetener
Swapping traditional sugar for coconut sugar can be a healthier alternative for those with a sweet tooth without compromising the taste.
23. Batch Brewing Coffee
Save some time and brew a large batch of coffee and store it in the fridge for reheating throughout the week.
24. Break Up the Coffee Intake Volume
Reducing your coffee intake per serving and spacing out consumption throughout the day can provide a more consistent caffeine supply. This method offers sustained alertness and helps avoid energy crashes often associated with consuming larger amounts of coffee at once.
25. Boost the Impact of Coffee with Grapefruit
Some slightly more unusual coffee hacks, but if you are looking to maximise the caffeine buzz this one is for you. Eating grapefruit alongside a cup of coffee helps slow the absorption process of the coffee due to the healthy fat in the fruit. Therefore, you’ll feel the buzz and be wide awake for more of your morning.
26. Coffee Meat Marinade
Add a tablespoon of finely ground coffee to your meat marinade for an unexpected flavour boost. Coffee can add a subtle richness and depth to savoury dishes. Take a look at this coffee-marinated steak recipe by Waitrose.
27. Coffee Storage Hacks
To avoid affecting the flavour of coffee, store coffee in airtight containers to prevent exposure to air, moisture, light, and odours.
Equipment and Cleanup Coffee Hacks
28. Coffee Stain Removal Hacks
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to remove coffee stains from your coffee cup or mug for example. Simply use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away coffee stains from cups or carafes and the mug will be as good as new.
29. Coffee Machine Vinegar Rinse
Cleaning your coffee maker or espresso machine with a vinegar and water solution is simple and cost-effective to ensure cleanliness and great-tasting coffee. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, run a brew cycle, let it sit, then flush with clean water. Doing this every 1-2 months keeps your machine in top shape.
30. Citrus Peel Cleaner
Rubbing citrus peels on your coffee grinder or machine can help eliminate odours. All you need to do is take the citrus peels (from an orange, lemon, or grapefruit) and rub them gently against the grinder or machine. Focus on areas that tend to accumulate oils or odours and leave for a few hours or overnight. Wipe away afterwards and run the machine to remove any citrus tastes. If you want a brand new machine, take a look at the coffee machines we offer here.
Contact Office Coffee today for further information regarding coffee machines and coffee for offices and commercial use.
