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If you class yourself as a coffee aficionado, then you probably have a good idea of how much coffee costs. 44% of people in the UK drink between 2 and 3 cups of coffee a day, and many people wonder how much they could save if they simply brewed the same grounds twice. Want to find out more? Take a look below.
Can you use the Same Grounds Twice?
The basic answer is that although you can use the same grounds twice if you need to, you probably shouldn’t. The reason why you shouldn’t ultimately boils down to science. When you add hot water to your coffee, it can result in a lot of different reactions. To start with, the coffee grounds will bloom. This is when the grounds inflate to twice their size. Secondly, the coffee will release carbon dioxide. You might see this reaction occurring if you look out for any little bubbles on top of your coffee. If you are only using a paper filter to get the maximum flavour out of your coffee then you should know that only the soluble solids in the coffee will pass through this, into the cup. If you are using a Turkish ibric or if you are using a French press, then the insoluble components will sink to the bottom of your mug. The result? Bitter, gritty flavours toward the end of your beverage.
Brewing Twice and Caffeine Content
Whether you can brew twice will depend on your chosen method of brewing and the science that comes behind it. When you place the grounds in water, it will release numerous chemicals. This will include flavonoids, proteins, vitamins and antioxidants. Caffeine is another chemical that is released, and when all of these chemicals are extracted well, they contribute to the bold and delicious flavour that is strongly associated with a good cup of coffee. A number of elements will go into your first cup of coffee. To begin with, the caffeine that you need to wake up has already been extracted in the first cup. The flavour, aroma and all of those essential coffee oils will have passed through as well. If you reuse your coffee, then you may find that you end up with a coffee that has absolutely no fragrance, as well as one that is terribly weak. Finally, antioxidants. These are associated with numerous health benefits, but when you have brewed your grounds once, they will be gone.
In short, after your first brew, you may find that you end up with a coffee that feels like decaf. If you need a kick in the morning or if flavour is important to you then don’t opt for this.
Should you Brew from Fresh?
The National Coffee Association state that you should never reuse your coffee grounds. All of the good flavours are extracted through your first batch, and if you decide to brew again then you may find that only the bitter and more undesirable ones are left. Even if you believe that there are some good favours left, you are actually putting yourself at risk of contamination. If you use the coffee grounds even an hour after the first brew, you may find that bacteria and fungi has already started to develop. Your coffee grounds will be moist and this makes the ideal breeding ground for pathogens.
How can you Use your Coffee Grounds?
If you have used coffee grounds lying around, then you may be tempted to see how you can reuse them. If you want to do your bit for the environment and recycle more then you should know that this is easy to do if you take the right steps. You can even use your coffee grounds to benefit you around the house too. Want to find out more? Take a look below.
Coffee grounds contain a lot of key nutrients and they can be responsible for the growth of your plants. They contain iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and even chromium. You may find that they contain some of the heavy elements that benefit soil as well. Coffee grounds can help to attract worms, and they are good for your garden too! So don’t throw your grounds away, and instead, put them to good use.
The great thing about coffee is that you can use them to attract worms, as mentioned above. That being said, they are actually really harmful to insects. You can use them to keep mosquitos, beetles, fruit flies and even snails at bay. Sprinkle your grounds on your plants and your lawn, to see it transform.
