Minimizing Falls, Surpluses And Tax, The Perfect Cup Of Coffee

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time

Veronica Rueckert and Mike Arnold learn how to avoid dangerous falls this winter, explore how states are using their budget surpluses, and find out how to brew the perfect cup of coffee.

Featured in this Show

  • Expert Says How To Brew A Perfect Cup Of Coffee

    Coffee-making has gone well beyond popping a lid off a can. While there will likely always be a place for pre-ground, mass-produced coffee that needs nothing but a bit of hot water and a spoon, coffee aficionados are always looking for next rung up the ladder on perfect coffee-making.

    Todays trends include French press, where grounds are pressed with a wire-mesh plunger, cold brew and manual pour.

    George Bregar, director of coffee at Milwaukee-based Colectivo Coffee, is always looking for the best beans. He said he tastes about 1,500 samples a year, looking for qualities of roast, acidity and body, or the richness of the coffee bean in cupping events, a practice similar to a wine-tasting.

    As for finding or making that perfect cup, Bregar suggests buying local.

    “They buy nicer beans,” he said.

    Bregar said another tip is to use water that isn’t as hot as it can get. Home coffee makers just can’t get water hot enough, according to Bregar. He said he prefers the manual pour method, but said almost any method can yield a good cup of coffee.

    Aside from water temperature, the coffee-to-water ratio is the most important thing. He said the “golden rule is 60 grams of coffee per liter of water.” No need to geek out on gadgets for the home coffee-lover, a “cheap kitchen scale” should do. But, do pay attention to the ratio, he said.

    “It’s the place where you can’t deviate … too much and get good coffee,” Bregar said.

    When all is said and done though, it comes back to beans.

    “The coffee you make at home,” said Bregar, “can only be as good as the beans you start with.”

  • Staying Safe While Walking On Snow and Ice

    Winter is a hazardous time, and falls can lead to serious medical expenses. A snow removal expert talks about keeping safe while walking on snow and ice.

  • States Dealing With Surpluses, Tax Issues

    As the economy rebounds, more states are finding themselves with extra money on hand, including Wisconsin. A reporter talks about how states are handling surplus money, and how taxes factor in.

  • Teach Me What You Know: Brewing The Perfect Cup Of Coffee

    Americans used to be known by Europeans for their bad tasting coffee. During the past decade though, coffee culture has taken off on this side of the pond, and now independent coffee shops with meticulously brewed beans abound. On this week’s “Teach Me What You Know,” the coffee guru from Wisconsin’s own “Colectivo” shares what goes into making the perfect cup.

Episode Credits

  • Mike Arnold Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • George Bregar Guest
  • Martin Tirado Guest
  • Elaine Povich Guest
  • Chris Malina Producer