Using Coffee Grounds In The Garden To Control Weeds
So by now youve probably gathered that putting used coffee grounds directly on plants might not be a great idea if your aim is to help them grow.
But what about those plants youd like to kill off?
Smothering them with coffee grounds might do the trick. If you have an area in need of weed control and a surplus of coffee grounds, you can try spreading coffee grounds there and see if it inhibits growth and germination or forms an impenetrable barrier, killing weeds you dont want.
Just dont forget that many weeds are both edible and delicious, and harvest those rather than trying to kill them with coffee.
Here are some top weeds you can eat to try harvesting from your garden this season.
Getting Rid Of Puffy Eyes
Coffee may benefit people with puffy, inflamed eyes.
Caffeine stimulates blood flow and widens, or dilates, the blood vessels. This increases blood flow, which can help the skin to naturally tighten. The result may be a reduction in the buildup of fluid under the eyes.
Other compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids, may also reduce inflammation around the eyes.
Try dabbing around the eyes with a paste of very finely-ground coffee and the liquid from the coffee itself.
Coffee contains antioxidants, such as polyphenols. These may help to protect against ultraviolet rays and some signs of aging linked to sun exposure.
Authors of a study from 2015 concluded that participants with the highest consumption of polyphenols, from coffee or other sources, had fewer UV age spots on their faces. The participants were Japanese women aged 30â60 years. Confirming these findings will require further research.
Drinking coffee or applying it to the skin are simple ways to deliver these antioxidants to the body.
Coffee may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin.
A small study reported that a topical slimming product containing caffeine and several other active ingredients was more effective at reducing stubborn cellulite in women than a placebo product.
However, from this study, it is not possible to say whether the caffeine, another substance, or a combination produced the results.
Tablespoons Of Ground Coffee Vs Tablespoons Of Coffee Beans
It’s crucial to understand how many grammes of ground coffee beans equal one tablespoon and one teaspoon: 1 tablespoon Equals 18 grammes of coffee 1 spoonful = 12 grammes coffee
The standard measurement for coffee is 6 ounces of fresh water to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. Other coffee lovers have a standard quote : 3 tablespoons for 12 fl oz. This is very easy to measure and will not use up the grounds quickly.
When measuring without using a scale, two kinds of tablespoons are often used. The level tablespoon is one, while the rounded tablespoon is the other. A tablespoon of coffee beans contains around 47g of coffee.
You May Like: Why Coffee Makes You Poop
How To Grind Beans With A Hammer
Is Fresh Ground Better Than Pre
Yes, the fresher the coffee the better the brew. So this means that freshly ground coffee will get you a fresh cup of coffee, that’s going to be more flavorful than anything you’ve ever had with the pre-ground stuff.
That being said, most coffee bags state the roasting date and level , but not many state the date the beans were ground on.
If the coffee does have a lot number, it should also have a lot date. I think it would be safe to assume that the coffee was ground on that day, and you can guide yourself by that.
In general, pre-ground coffee is tightly sealed, vacuum sealed actually. So it will retain most of its flavor by the time you open it. It loses it quickly if you don’t store it properly though !
Also Check: Where To Buy Coffee Grinder
Should You Use Fresh Or Leftover Ground Coffee
Well, the general consensus is that leftover ground coffee is better, since the caffeine is mostly gone and there are enough nutrients in the grounds to warrant using them as bio-degradable compost.
Still, using leftover ground coffee means you lose out on the nitrogen contained withing coffee, which is mostly gone after using the coffee.
Even so, whichever kind of ground coffee you use, it’s better to mix it with some plant soil or compost or leafmold before sprinkling it on and around the plants.
Remember to use a thin layer, in case your plants become sensitive to the coffee. If you’ve got plants like azalea and blueberries that love acidity, they should be fine.
So if you’ve got some leftover ground coffee, go right ahead and help your plant grow !
How To Make Coffee With A Pot
Your coffee maker might be broken, but you might have a coffee pot sitting in the back of the cupboard. What better time to learn how to use it!
Coffee pots use the same coffee making principles as coffee makers or the saucepan method. Compared to the saucepan method, though, things are a little more streamlined. As with the other techniques, you’ll want 2 tbsp of coffee grounds for every 6 oz of water.
Coffee pots, or Moka pots, are heated on the stovetop. They use pressure to filter hot water upwards through the pot, rather than to drip downwards.
Boil your water in the kettle, then follow the method below:
You May Like: Can I Drink Coffee When Fasting
Ingredients & Tools For Coffee Without A Maker
If youre stranded without a coffee maker, never fear! You can make a great cup of coffee without any fancy tools. This works when youre traveling, camping, or if you just dont have a maker at home. All you need is some way to boil water, be it an open fire or an electric tea kettle.
- 3 tablespoons ground coffee, medium coarse ground
- 1 pinch salt
- Method for boiling water: tea kettle, pot, etc.
- Canning jar or small pot
- Strainer or other straining method
What Is The Best French Press
First things, first. What is the best French Press? We are personal fans of the Bodums French Press products. It is a tried and true French press that all three of us own and use. We love that its glass and that the handle doesnt get hot when you pour the water in.
In addition to Bodums French press, we also love their other coffee accessories as well! Check them out below.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Coffee Stain On White Shirt
Using Coffee Grounds As Fertilizer
Because research suggests using coffee grounds directly in the garden inhibits plant growth, garden experts dont recommend using them in the garden without first composting them.
Though you may see suggestions for using coffee grounds to help scatter small seeds, youll likely be inhibiting germination with this practice.
WHICH PLANTS LIKE USED COFFEE GROUNDS?
Because the caffeine in used coffee grounds inhibits germination and growth, avoid using coffee grounds where youre planning to plant seeds or seedlings. Larger plants, like trees and shrubs may handle coffee grounds better, but its still wise to proceed with caution using coffee grounds directly on plants rather than in compost.
Ignore all the advice about using coffee grounds on acid-loving plants, since used coffee grounds arent very acidic. Sure, you could use fresh, unused coffee grounds on your rhododendrons and blueberries, but since thats not only expensive, it adds more caffeine, you wont be doing those plants any favors.
If you do try adding used coffee grounds to plants, note that coffee grounds are great for retaining moisture, which some plants will like and others wont. Moisture-loving plants like lily of the valley and marigold might tolerate coffee grounds better than plants that prefer dry soil like lavender and rosemary.
One garden crop to consider using coffee grounds for: Mushrooms, which arent plants, actually, but fungi. More on how to use coffee grounds to grow mushrooms below.
Use It As A Natural Cleaning Scrub
Coffee grounds are abrasive and can help remove buildup on hard-to-clean surfaces. They may even help sanitize due to their antibacterial and antiviral properties (
If you like to avoid cleaning with chemicals, used coffee grounds might be worth a try.
Use them to scour your sink, polish your cookware or clean your grill.
Just be careful not to use them on any kind of porous material, as they can cause brown stains.
Summary Coffee grounds can be used as an abrasive cleaner. They can help sanitize and remove buildup from sinks, cookware, grills and other surfaces around the house.
Also Check: Can I Put Tumeric In My Coffee
Coffee Grounds As Fertilizer
Used coffee grounds for gardening does not end with compost. Many people choose to place coffee grounds straight onto the soil and use it as a fertilizer. The thing to keep in mind is while coffee grounds add nitrogen to your compost, they will not immediately add nitrogen to your soil.
The benefit of using coffee grounds as a fertilizer is that it adds organic material to the soil, which improves drainage, water retention, and aeration in the soil. The used coffee grounds will also help microorganisms beneficial to plant growth thrive as well as attract earthworms.
Many people feel that coffee grounds lower the pH of soil, which is good for acid loving plants. This is only true for unwashed coffee grounds though. Fresh coffee grounds are acidic. Used coffee grounds are neutral. If you rinse your used coffee grounds, they will have a near neutral pH of 6.5 and will not affect the acid levels of the soil.
To use coffee grounds as fertilizer, work the coffee grounds into the soil around your plants. Leftover diluted coffee works well like this too.
Additional Uses For Coffee Grounds
Use coffee grounds inside your home. Here a couple of creative ways to use coffee grounds in your home.
- Freshen flower vases. Cut flowers last longer when placed in coffee grounds the grounds also serve double duty by serving as an air freshener.
- Make dirt play dough. Adding coffee grounds to homemade Play-Doh can create realistic dirt, perfect for playing with plastic worms and hauling around in toy sized dump trucks.
- Fill pincushions. Filling a pin cushion with coffee grounds can prevent pins from rusting as well as letting out a pleasant aroma each time you use it. Dry the grounds before placing them inside the pincushion by spreading them into a thin layer and placing in the freezer for several hours.
- Scour baked on stains. Use coffee grounds as a natural way to clean baked-on bits on pots and pans. Together with some vinegarit will clean pots and make them look new. However, because this can cause discoloration, it should not be used with ceramics or any other dishware that can stain.
- Freshen hands after chopping onions. If cutting onions, garlic, or other vegetables leave your hands smelly, coffee grounds can help absorb the odor. Rub grounds onto your hands before washing to eliminate strong smells that might otherwise linger for hours or days.
- Deodorize your fridge. A bowl of coffee grounds can be used in place of baking soda to deodorize refrigerators and freezers.
Don’t Miss: Is Coffee Bad For Osteoporosis
Use Freshly Roasted Beans
Outstanding beans are the foundation of great coffee. The coffee brewing method you choose to use will be determined by the quality, type of coffee and flavour you want to achieve. Between roasts, there may be a world of difference.
Coffee should be purchased as soon as possible after it has been roasted. Freshly roasted coffee is necessary for a good cup, therefore buy-in modest quantities. To preserve it as fresh and delicious as possible, you can utilize a variety of techniques.
Also, you must never reuse the coffee grounds to make coffee. Only the bitter coffee flavours remain after the desired coffee flavours have been removed.
Why Should You Cold Brew Your Coffee
This coffee-making method has a few things going for it:
- The slow infusion pulls all the great coffee flavor from the beans .
- But it also leaves behind most of the compounds that can make coffee taste bitter and sour.
- This means that cold brewed coffee is incredibly smooth and almost sweet-tasting. Perfect for iced coffee.
Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
You can also adjust the concentration of your cold brew coffee, making it stronger or less strong to suit your taste. Start with one cup of beans steeped in four cups of water. This will make a fairly concentrated coffee on its own, but it’s perfect for pouring over ice or mixing with milk – or both. If that ratio of beans to water isn’t quite to your taste, adjust it up or down until you hit the perfect balance for you.
I also really love that this method for making coffee actually saves me time in the morning. I make a big batch over the weekend, starting it on Saturday or Sunday night and straining it the next morning, and then stash it in the fridge for an easy coffee fix all week long.
- Ready to up your coffee game? Check out our list of The Best Coffee Makers.
You May Like: Best Espresso Machine For Office Use
What Coffee Grind Type Should You Use
Coarsely ground coffee is perfect for a cafetière. As a rule of thumb, the longer the coffee is in contact with water, the coarser the grind should be to avoid over-extraction. The cafetière method involves fully immersing the coffee throughout the brew time, meaning a larger, coarse grind is needed. In comparison, an espresso machine, for example, uses pressure to force water through the coffee grounds, so the contact time is much shorter, requiring a fine grind.
How Much Coffee Do You Use For One Cup
First, lets talk about cups and mugs, because theyre not the same thing. One cup, for tea or coffee, means 6 fluid ounces. OK? Now, a mug is somewhere between 8 and 9 fluid ounces. Almost half as big as a regular cup, so the quantity of coffee needed will be different.
An experienced barista will advise you to use 0.36 oz of coffee per cup. Wow! And how do I measure your precious 0.36 oz? Dont panic, well explain that in plain English!
You dont need precision scales to measure your coffee in the morning or anything like that, because 0.36 oz coffee is the amount that goes into one scoop, like the one your coffee maker came with. Now thats more like it!
To make it even simpler one scoop equals two ordinary tablespoons. Its that easy!
You May Like: Unique Coffee Tables For Sale
How To Make Coffee Without A Coffeemaker
It’s easy to brew coffee without a machine. All you need is a few basic kitchen supplies.
Millions of us count on coffeemakers to deliver the invigorating elixir of life. In fact, more than a few people can barely function at the most-basic level without their morning coffee. That’s why kitchens around the world are stocked with coffee machines ranging from basic to extravagant. It’s a rite of passage, or at the very least an everyday routine, to shuffle to the kitchen in a barely awake fog and stab the button on the coffee machine.
Perhaps you are treated to freshly ground and roasted beans brewed in an elaborate digital thermal coffeemaker with built-in grinder. Or maybe you’re low-maintenance and just want coffee and want it fast. That’s all well and good, until the power goes out or the coffeemaker goes kaput. What now?
Way back in the good ol’ days before there were machines that would automatically whip up a cup of delicious, piping-hot coffee, people still managed to brew a cup o’ joe. Think Clint Eastwood out on the range with a tin cup and a campfire he enjoyed some fresh brew before galloping off to corral bad guys. Sometimes the very old-fashioned way is the way to go, and many people still believe that the best-tasting coffee is simply made with coffee and water.
How To Make Coffee In A Saucepan
Low on kitchen supplies? No worries a few basics and a stove will have you sipping hot java in no time.
Recommended Reading: Starbucks Creamer Cinnamon Dolce Latte