COMPETITION: Win with Jacobs Coffee and discover tips on brewing and upcycling your beans

THERE are very people out there who don’t enjoy a great cuppa in the morning, especially if it’s made from freshly ground coffee beans.

“There is no doubt about it, making coffee from fresh beans is not just about the coffee but about the ‘theatre’ that comes with it,” explains Matthew Dees, senior brand manager for Jacobs coffee.

Using quality coffee beans to make your coffee is the first step in getting the best taste.

Here are some coffee-making tips:

1. Great beans equal great coffee, and the Jacobs Barista Editions range has what you need – the Crema and Espresso, slow-roasted to create the desired aromas and intensity levels. They are 100% Arabica, for a smoother taste.
2. Always grind your beans just before you brew to get the most freshness out of them. The size of the grind is also important – bitter coffee could mean that the bean was ground too fine, and flat coffee could be a result of a coarse grind. With an electric grinder, grind your coffee in short bursts, shaking the container after each burst to ensure that all the beans are ground equally.
3. If using tap water to make your coffee, let it run for a few seconds before filling your coffee pot.
4. The amount of time that water is in contact with the coffee grounds is important. In a drip system, the contact should be around five minutes, while with a French Press, it should be around two to four minutes. Espresso only needs a short brewing time. If you are making a cold brew, then the beans should be steeped overnight.

Now what do you do with the coffee grinds that are left behind?

“What many people don’t know is that there are a number of uses of coffee grounds and expired beans,” explains Dees.

Here are three uses of expired coffee beans and old coffee grounds:

1. Old coffee grounds are high in nitrogen which makes them a great fertiliser for roses, camellias, and hydrangeas. Add to the soil by simply digging around the plant and bury the coffee grounds in the soil. The coffee grounds will also deter pests from your plants.
2. Make your own chocolate-covered espresso beans? Simply melt chocolate over a low heat, mix the espresso beans, spoon them onto parchment paper and wait for them to cool and enjoy.
3. Use the old coffee grounds as an odour absorber to keep your home smelling great. Coffee grounds naturally soak up smells which is why it is important to keep all coffee bags sealed shut once opened, as the odours around it can change the way it tastes.

WIN WIN WIN

We have six hampers to give away to six lucky readers, courtesy of Jacobs Coffee.

All you have to do is fill in your details on the form below.

Competition closes on Friday, June 10.