Good coffee ultimately comes down to taste – but there will be some who tell you that there are certain ways to make a coffee perfect. The trick is to buy your own beans and grind them when necessary, as coffee beans can go stale if they have been open too long and the taste of ground beans can change over time. If you live somewhere with hard water, like in London, buying water filters helps to ensure a smooth coffee, and to keep an eye on the temperature and brewing time, as coffee can be burnt easily. Coffee also tastes of what it has been brewed in, so a clean coffee maker is always essential. Of course, you don’t need to buy your own beans and grind them, as you may prefer the coffee you buy regularly, but coffee beans are renowned as tasting better.