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10 mistakes you probably make when brewing coffee

You drink a few cups every day, so naturally, you consider your coffee making abilities above average. But regardless of how long you’ve been making morning coffee, you probably often overlook a few of these steps. Fix these 10 flaws with your process and you’ll make the best, boldest, most delicious cup of joe you’ve ever brewed. Mistake #1: You don’t use water that is hot enough Professional coffee shops always reach the ideal 195º to 205º temperature window for brewing, and that’s part of the reason their product tastes so great. Water temperatures in this range extracts the most flavor from the grinds. While you probably can’t make your commercial pot get any hotter, you can switch to the French press/pour over method, where you basically just pour hot water over ground beans and steep for four minutes. A French press will only run you about $30, but it…

The secret behind the Starbucks apron colors

In 75 countries around the world, Starbucks is recognized by the color green. From its circular green logo, to the 23,000 locations with more than 300,000 employees who wear green aprons. But have you ever noticed a barista not wearing green? Maybe you saw black, orange or red. What is this secret code in Starbucks coffeehouse apparel? The apron has been a part of Starbucks since the first day it opened its doors in 1971 to Seattle’s Pike Place Market. At the time, employees wore basic brown grocer’s aprons — the same shade as the original logo. According to a post on the company’s website, by 1987 the green apron replaced the brown aprons to became the standard issue — now matching the green logo. Today, anyone working at a Starbucks can wear the company’s signature green color. But other colors are earned. If an employee has military experience or graduated from the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, they  might…

Wine-infused coffee has finally come to us from heaven

If you gave up alcohol or coffee for Lent this year, this one is going to hurt. The folks at Molinari Private Reserves, a Nappa Valley café, have created a wine-infused coffee. Yes, your two most beloved beverages have merged, so you can have the most magical of mornings. The company website says that the full-bodied coffee beans “relax in a beautiful wine, absorbing the wine’s nose and history, then the coffee is carefully dried and hand-roasted in small batches.” (Swoon) The result is a wine-infused coffee that smells like wine but tastes like coffee with the essence of blueberry. The MPR website says the more milk you add, the more it will taste like wine. They also add that letting the coffee sit a while improves the flavors — just like wine. The beans can be prepared anyway you like — Latte, Espresso, French Press, Cold, Black or used as a rub. The coffee is only…