Drip coffee, synonymous with convenience, is usually made using electric drip coffee makers, which are able to make large amounts with minimal effort.

This method involves hot water passing through a filter full of coffee grounds and dripping into the pot below, which is how it gets its name. The result is a seamless descent of brewed coffee into the awaiting pot below.

Making drip coffee with a coffee maker isn’t exactly rocket science. It starts with a damp paper filter in the brew basket. According to Michelle Kawahara, the training manager at Lavazza, this helps get rid of any lingering paper taste.

Add approximately one tablespoon of coffee grounds per cup, activate the coffee maker, and voila! Unlike pressurized methods, drip coffee completely relies on gravity for its exquisite transformation.

The coarseness of the grounds is a big factor when it comes to brewing methods. For drip coffee, a slightly coarser grind is the key. The secret weapon? Freshly ground beans.

Kawahara emphasizes the impact of grinding on flavor, likening it to the oxidation process in apples. Freshly ground beans preserve flavors, offering a pronounced and vibrant profile. Storage is crucial too. Airtight containers in cool, dark environments make sure the coffee stays fresher for longer.

Butter is the key ingredient in most recipes. It makes all food delicious and smooth and its multiple uses in the kitchen are no secret. Butter makes everything taste better, whether it’s your favorite white sauce pasta or just an old toast. But what if our usual butter could get better? Yes, you read that right! Here’s a recipe for the usual butter with a twist: compound butter.

What Is Compound Butter?

Compound butter is our usual butter with some added seasonings. It’s a combination of different herbs, citrus, and garlic paste. One will often find it as a topping on dishes that have fish in them or with steak. It does wonders for a dish when used as a sauce, especially with pasta and baked potatoes. One can mix and match the herbs and make different recipes of compound butter.

How to Make Compound Butter

A basic recipe for compound butter is best suited for dishes like spaghetti. All you need is butter, preferably unsalted, with salted mixers like miso paste, briny capers, and flavorings of your liking. Soften the butter, and add the mixer and chosen seasonings like black pepper and kosher salt. Mix them all well, roll them in parchment paper, and freeze them for later use.

Shelf-Life of Compound Butter

Compound butter is expected to last for around three or four months in the fridge, while in the freezer it can stay fresh for almost a year. But if something is kept in the freezer, it’s important to ensure it’s well wrapped. The same is the case for compound butter. The shelf life of compound butter depends on the ingredients added to the butter. If the recipe has any ingredient that’s perishable, one should freeze it to make it last longer. For all the first-timers, it’s recommended to either make big batches and freeze them or make small batches of different types and try different toppings each time, depending on your mood and occasion.