I’m not a fan of the Chemex – by the time the coffee is ready, it’s too cold for my taste. I also find the Chemex brewed coffee too watery (I have the same problem with the pod style coffee makers like Keurig and Nespresso). I brew Lavazza or, when I can find it, Caffe Vergnano espresso. 100% Arabica beans are worth the extra money, in my opinion. I use a stove top espresso maker (Bialetti is the most popular brand, but others are just fine). The only exception is during really hot weather, when I make cold brew coffee.

Coffee time is me time. I drink my cup early in the morning while I read the paper, before going to work.

French Press, baby!!!!! I grind my own beans using Blanchard’s Coffee (the VMFA blend) (www.blanchardscoffee.com). You can get a French Press of any size or brew as much as you want, so the amount won’t matter. I can’t drink my coffee any other way. If you message me your address, I will mail you some coffee so you can try and see what you think. My mom introduced me to it, and it is the best coffee I have ever had!

I’m a similar coffee drinker to you (pre-Mabrey). I love coffee, but it’s not part of my daily routine, but when I have it, I want to enjoy every last drop.

I, too, have a Keurig, but it’s on it’s last leg. My favorite part of the Keurig is having the re-usable cup to use my own grounds…but I am also quite intimidated by a french press. We were recently gifted (for our wedding!) an espresso maker, which I’m curious to try….

But right now, the Keurig with the re-usable cup wins….with Starbucks blonde roast. It’s a great flavor, lighter than traditional Starbucks blends, and it’s available in most grocery stores.

I don’t like a hot drink in the summer so I make iced coffee. I brew a pot of strong coffee and freeze it in ice cube trays. In the morning, I put a few cubes in a glass (I store the rest in tupperware in the freezer) and pour milk over it–instant iced coffee. You can control how much milk you want or what kind. I prefer vanilla soy milk. :)

Bulletproof coffee, a must try!!

http://www.endofthreefitness.com/how-to-make-bulletproof-coffee-and-become-a-better-human/

I love this little piece. I really like hearing about how other people carve out a few precious moments in their day in order to find happiness and joy in the everyday/mundane. Because, although I’m often in project mode and looking to do tweaks to my own home in order to improve it…I always find it important to remember to be happy with what you have in life, and not focus on what you want or wish you had. :)

I have to say that one of my special treats in life is also in the form of a cup of coffee. But, it’s special, because it’s the coffee that my dad makes for the family before he heads out for work (or a weekend golf game). Although I never drank coffee while I lived at home as a teenager/young adult, I now love waking up to a cup of Dad’s special blend when I’m back at home visiting or at the family cottage.

Every time I have a cup, I tell him how it’s the best and ask him “what’s the trick?” Here is what I have learned:

1) Buy fresh whole coffee beans and grind them just before making your coffee
2) Buy your coffee beans in small batches – like weekly so it doesn’t go stale.
2) Never (ever) store your coffee in the freezer as it dries it out.
3) Buy the best grinder that you can. A burr grinder it the best type of grinder as it grinds more evenly
4) Make sure that your coffee maker can get your water hot enough (surprisingly, a lot of coffeemakers – regardless of price point – can be weak in this area).

So that’s my Dad’s special recipe for what I…and many other family & friends consider the best coffee.

Oh, and my mom and I would both add, that having a pretty cup to drink from is also key. :) I somehow does make it taste better! it’s like magic.

Enjoy!

Wait, you just rocked my world. There’s a reusable cup for the Keurig?!?

I’m not a coffee drinker but live with a big coffee fan. A french press is really easy to use (even I make good coffee with it) – put in correct number of scoops, add hot water, wait, press (that bit is really satisfying!). You can get cute little ones just for one person.

I’ve heard good things about Aeropresses (pressi?!) and they look super cool but a bit more fiddly

Jo

I have a Keurig and love it! I usually just pop in whatever K-cup I happen to have on hand, which more often than not is the generic chai latte. If I even go the coffee route, I do have a re-usable container and use the Dunkin Donuts chocolate flavor. However, my step-dad travels so frequently that he now takes K-cups from the hotels he’s in and brings them to me whenever he visits….so I’ve now acquired some random house brew that’s actually really, really good. I’ve only used three of those but may need to start drinking coffee a little more often. I’m the tea drinker at my office :) I do have a tiny little coffee pot that gets used once a year or so, but that doesn’t really count!

I have an 8-oz French press that I love! I really enjoy the process of making my coffee as well as drinking it. With the French press there is quietness about the process that I welcome and I love the fact that I don’t waste any coffee.

I love coffee. Love it. My favorite brewing method is french press but that is saved for the rare Saturday morning alone with the hubby. We just use a regular drip Cuisinart during the week. Though I’m jonesing for a fancy espresso machine. I go back and forth on favorite coffee brands. I love the Starbucks Verona bean and my favorite right now is a coffee/chicory blend. Creamer only, no sugar. It’s divine. Cafe Du Monde is the brand.

I used to have a single cup Bodum (a French press) that I ADORED. I loved that it was perfectly me-sized and so SMOOTH! Another plus is that it’s super easy to clean, just rinse or dish wash it. No need to clean with vinegar or solutions like some coffee makers.

It makes me giggle when people talk about being intimidated by French presses, as it is truly the most simple way of brewing coffee there is. For my single cup Bodum, I would use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds and just fill the press to the top with boiling water from my tea kettle. Wait 5 minutes or so and pour yourself a cup!

I too enjoy mornings with my coffee. My boyfriend is the snob in the house – he somehow concluded that our coffee grounds were getting stale too quickly, so we only buy whole beans now. We grind enough for one french press every morning and put some water on to boil in the electric kettle (I’ve had it since college & I think it’s faster than the stove). We used to have a Bodum single serve press that was very petite – and pretty adorable – but we upgraded to a full size after we both started drinking a cup or two each morning. As for types of coffee beans, we try all sorts and pick up different kinds while traveling. Most times we stick to Dunkin’ Donuts or Peet’s, but once in a while we splurge on Vigilante Coffee roasted locally in DC.
You can’t beat the speed & ease of a Keurig, but the process of brewing in a french press is therapeutic in itself :)

I don’t consider myself a coffee drinker, but my husband is. He has an AeroPress and he loves it. It only makes one cup of coffee at a time, so it is perfect for him. He buys whole bean coffee and grids it and then puts it in the AeroPress. He says it makes even cheap coffee taste amazing.http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1408387805&sr=1-1&keywords=aeropress

I love the Archer Farms Donut Shop ground coffee from Target.

Tried other expensive brands and just kept coming back to that one. I use it in my reuseable Keurig filter too.

I will agree that fresh ground and Chemex make a great, smooth cup but I take the quick easy route with my keurig.

I buy coffee from red thread good coffee dot com (based in Sag Harbor, NY) and also Staufs (based in Grandiew, Oh) I love the purist and give my left arm for the dreamy coffee from red thread. Staufs is an amazing roaster in Grandview that is like coffee heaven, there is so much deliciousness to choose from there :)
Our brewing habits have evolved over the last 6 years from drip coffee to French press to a stove top espresso maker. After our third was born we major splurged and bought a second hand Jura espresso machine. It makes the best cup of coffee ever.

We use a Chemex and it’s pretty easy! And very easy to get a single cup of coffee. Heat up an electric kettle to ~202 degrees, dampen the filter and put it into the Chemex, put in a couple scoops of coffee, pour in a small amount of water so it’s slightly bubbling (the “bloom”), then about 30 seconds later, fill up the top with water and wait for it to filter through.

I get my beans from a local place called High Grounds in Baltimore and I’m a big fan.

I love coffee but I, like you, appreciate the convenience factor as well. As coffee can be coated with a lot of chemicals and such, I try to go organic. I LOVE Allegro coffee from Whole Foods (also served at some other health food type stores if you don’t have Whole Foods nearby). I buy it whole bean and then I use this grinder (http://www.mrcoffee.com/mr.-coffee/BVMC-BMH23.html) to grind just what I need for a refillable K-CUP like you use for your Keurig. The perfect amount of delicious, organic coffee for one! And I love that the grinder holds the beans up top and allows you to customize how much coffee you want at a time!

When my hubby and I want coffee at the same time or we have people coming over, I opt for a french press which is delicious but uses a lot of coffee which doesn’t seem necessary when it’s just me!

For the summer we’ve been doing cold brew and love it. I use a hand turn burr grinder (cheaper and quieter than the electic kind, plus it’s a little meditative) on a coarse grind. Then put the grounds in the french press in the morning, add filtered water, leave it on the counter/in the fridge and the next morning you have delicious, non-bitter cold coffee!

To make it even better – coffee ice cubes! Just collect the extra coffee from each morning’s brew and freeze them.

Typically we use a trader joe’s medious roast or some central/south american roast from Whole Foods. But I second Chloe Joy, living in DC I’ll occaisionally splurge on Vigilante and it’s worth it.

I use a reusable k-cup filter too. I like buying a locally roasted coffee, specifically http://blackgoldroasters.com/ . See if there is a local roaster near you. It tastes SO much better because it is freshly roasted, and ours uses organic and fair trade beans. I know you can buy from our roaster online if you don’t have one near you. Trust me, huge difference!

I use an Aeropress to make an Americano in the morning. It is totally ritual for me! I am pregnant and coffee grossed me out the first few months but I missed the ritual of it so much. So glad my midwife assured me that one small cup of coffee a day would not affect the baby because I can tolerate it again.

We’ve started cold brewing coffee with the eight o’clock coffee in the Colombian peaks blend. Cold brewing makes a coffee concentrate that you can keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks and just add it to milk or water to your liking.

I was really skeptical of it but I’m a big big fan now bc most days I’m the only coffee drinker too and this prevents the waste plus I think it tastes better. The eight o’clock brand coffee was part of the key too. I tried some other off the shelf beans and this is the one that made the difference.

I to drink coffee simply for the pleasure. Only on the weekends in the summer. More often in the winter. We use fresh ground beans or good ole folgers medium roast. And we brew it in a percolator coffee pot. It just taste better to me and it gets the water HOT.

Before I was married, I always loved my french press. Put a kettle on the boil, grind the beans, let the beans steep and then slooooowly press down the filter. During the wait times, I would make myself a nice, simple breakfast. It was such a nice, peaceful ritual to start my morning.

Nowadays, my husband grinds the beans and starts up our coffee maker to brew a full pot while we get breakfast started for the kids (who are still very early risers). It’s not quite the same, peaceful mornings I had when before we had kids, but I love it.

Our favorite coffee is Blue Bottle Coffee (http://bluebottlecoffee.com), but I recently tried and Sightglass Coffee (http://sightglasscoffee.com) and I think it’s just as good. Unfortunately, those are both local to the SF Bay Area, so I don’t know if you can easily get them where you are. Whatever you buy, go for whole bean and grind it yourself (someone suggested burr grinders and I concur). Make sure you store the beans in an opaque, airtight container in a cool, dry area. Sunlight, oxygen, moisture and heat will all deteriorate the quality of your coffee beans.

I have a Nespresso which was a fantastic gift and makes my coffee in the morning so delicious. We also have the Toddy Cold Brew maker (https://toddycafe.com/) which is my second favorite way to make coffee. I’ve had plenty of coffee makers break on me so the best part about the Toddy is that it doesn’t require any electronics so there’s not much that can break.

a french press is super easy to use and adds to the “ritual” a bonus is you can make as much or as little as you want. I also find it less “messy” all you need is a tea kettle to boil your water and a simple glass french press kit.

Bodum French Press- all the way!

mmmm coffee, glad you jumped on the wagon! As far as beans go, the best I’ve had were from a small local coffee roaster in Center City Phila. It was so fun to go in every week and take a little time to smell the different beans and read up on the attributes of each roast. I’m no expert and didn’t learn anything substantial but I knew my beans were fresh and I was supporting small business AND the coffee was infinitely better than folgers.
I am the only coffee drinker in my house, so I don’t get to have fancy appliances, just a simple bodum french press. Mine was a cheapie from Target and has lasted at least 5 years with almost daily use.
If you happen to like iced coffee, may I suggest freezing coffee and milk into ice for use in those drinks, that way the coffee isn’t watered down.
Nowwwww I need a cup!

Coffee is my luxury too… though for me it started after my second and has stuck through the third. :)

I love French press coffee. We buy whole beans (my Dad claims that the best ones are shade-grown) and I grind the right amount each evening when I wash the dishes. You can make one cup worth or a whole pot (and you can buy one-cup Bodums). In the morning,just boil water in a kettle and pour over the grinds. Utterly luxurious. Totally impacts my happiness too. :)

I use a Bunn coffee maker because i love having coffee ready within minutes of getting up (it has a reservoir of hot ready to go water). I do like to grind my beans fresh, I’ve recently been on a kick of Red Velvet flavored coffee. Sounds crazy but is really yummy! I buy beans weekly at our local Winco from the bulk section. If I have leftover coffee I sometimes pour it over a little milk with ice later in the day! Sure the $5 a pop at the coffeehouse!

Coffee is so important to me, and my time working at Sur La Table has lent itself to lots of outside research. I appreciate the Chemex, I appreciate those who take the time to grind their beans fresh each time, but those methods are not realistic for me. I have two coffee rituals, though:

1) If I am not in a rush, I use a French Press. I buy coffee beans from a local shop and they grind it for me when I buy them. When I get home I transfer them to an OXO Good Grips container to keep air out. The French Press takes a little more time each morning because I have to boil water in a kettle, then let the french press steep for 4 minutes. It’s mostly passive though and I can do my makeup or make toast while I wait. The flavor you get by using this method is very rich and almost smoky. (my old post: http://myfriendstaci.com/2013/02/07/french-press-coffee/)

2) When time is of the essence, I use the Nespresso machine. My new model, the Pixie, takes only 25 seconds to heat up and I have an espresso in hand in less than a minute. I add a splash of milk and hit the road running. ( my old post: http://myfriendstaci.com/2013/05/13/coffee-talk-epilogue-nespresso/)

I’ve found a person’s coffee ritual to be a very personal thing! My two methods are the best (of course!) or… at least they are the best for me and the way I drink coffee.

Favorite is Luzianne Premium Blend (with chicory) – flavorful, but not burnt or acidic. And you use half the amount of grounds.

We have a 12-cup Bodum Chambord, been using it exclusively for a couple of years, after ditching our traditional coffee maker. We just heat water in a kettle, pour it into the press w/ grounds, set a timer…and it’s done.

I will add to the group of french press lovers! I live by myself, so I usually make an entire pot of french press coffee and then put the leftovers in the fridge for iced coffee the next day (especially in the summer). I like this because you don’t waste filters, and the press itself doesn’t take up much counter space.

After breaking a few glass presses, I finally ponied up the cash for a metal one. It does leak a bit when poured, but at least I don’t have to worry about drinking glass shards!

My husband is a huge coffee person. He 90% of the time makes it at home rather than buying it on the go. Go for whole beans – grind them at home (he does this daily not in batches) using a conical burr grinder. He does drip coffee for the programmable factor (weekdays) and french press on weekends (ours is from IKEA (I know you live near one) and it works great even though I tried to get him to get the fancy one!). He loves Starbucks coffee – dark. But also local coffees and certain trader Joes brands. He likes on the darkest of dark though; not sure of your preference.

French press is the only way to go. We have a few different glass Bodum presses and they are all great. You get little bits of coffee bean dust in your coffee that turns it creamy and miraculous! Bonus – all the parts go through the dishwasher. Or at least they do in our house, and they’ve survived for years. Plus there are no filters to buy/throw away.

Definitely grind your beans fresh for each pot. After much research, we bought the Cuisinart Smart Grinder and haven’t looked back! We love it!

For beans, we love finding different kinds at little shops and in different places we travel. Look for oily beans…it means they are the best! We often find great organic whole beans at Costco!

I do exactly this every morning and use the Trader Joes Cup of Joe coffee. Perfect!

I, like you, used to enjoy a cup occasionally, going back to high school ! when our Latin teacher would allow those of us in “Latin Club” to partake during class, scandalous ;) I am a mother to 3 girls and I now drink coffee daily. We have a simple Keurig at home which brews 1 cup and I enjoy it. I am not married to any particular brand, usually whatever is on sale and I prefer flavored over straight-up. I had a French-press until my husband broke the glass beaker and I haven’t replaced it. I enjoyed grinding the beans myself and I’m thinking I may add a new French-press to my Christmas list this year :) Usually reserved that to the weekend mornings. I’m a one-cup a day girl myself and also don’t find I get headaches if I skip a day or two.

I too am the only coffee drinker in my house. When my Keurig bit the dust I did a lot if research and ended up getting the aeropress off of amazon. No electricity needed and it stores easily. Super good coffee and easy to make…not as convenient as the Keurig but better!

I only drink coffee when I’m camping out with my family. It’s just fun to wake up to the smell of coffee. A good try would be Trader Joe’s Colombia Supremo -medium roast; It’s the perfect coffee flavor. You can also try other brands that use Colombian Supremo coffee beans. Trust me, its good!

I can not start my day without coffee. I follow my mom’s tried and true method that everybody loves! I’ve converted quite a few coffee drinkers to it…

1. percolator http://www.amazon.com/Presto-02811-12-Cup-Stainless-Coffee/dp/B00006IV0Q

2. plain coffee of choice (http://www.amazon.com/Dunkin-Donuts-Original-Blend-Coffee/dp/B00JI498GG/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1408389553&sr=1-1&keywords=dunkin+donuts+coffee)

3. a sprinkle of cinnamon mixed in with grounds so it percolates with coffee!! that’s the secret!..
let it percolate, and enjoy!

I work at a coffee roaster outside of Boston. Coffee tastes best when you buy smaller amounts and grind daily. The AeroPress is our best-selling product. It’s basically a cheaper French press and brews only a cup at a time. My boss uses one for himself when he travels. We sell it for $24.95 here, and the you can get a three pack of reusable filters for under $5. I believe what he uses at home is the Technivorm ($300 on Amazon), and he says it’s the best because it gets hotter than most other brewers.

If you’re interested in iced coffee, check out the Toddy. We sell cold brewed iced coffee and it’s the easiest and best way to make it! It apparently works for iced tea too but I’ve never tried that.

I use a Keurig with a re-usable filter too, since I’m the only coffee drinker in the house. I bought a cheapo coffee grinder on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160BY-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1408389690&sr=1-2&keywords=coffee+grinder) and I do think it’s worth it to fresh grind the beans. This particular grinder is tiny and has a retractable cord so it’s easy to stash away in the cupboard. I buy Starbucks whole bean out of habit and because I like strong, dark coffee, and grind the beans as I need them.

I rarely leave my house without my travel mug in hand but I am no coffee snob or connoisseur. I tried the french press but cleaning up the grinds got annoying, especially after a plumber warned me that throwing coffee grinds down the sink is the worst thing you can do…I have been ordering French Market Coffee & Chicory from Amazon. It tastes great, the price is decent and free delivery with prime and subscription order means I always have it on hand. Full disclosure: I fill a reusable k-cup and use it twice to make a 16-18 oz travel cup at a time. Like I said – I am neither snob/nor connoisseur…my coffee may be weak but it is really one of my little happy me-moments every day. Thanks for your blog.

I only have two kids so I’m not a regular coffee drinker yet, just an occasional as you describe :) Most of the coffee people I know use French presses! For ease of use and cleaning, I don’t think they can be beat, and you can also use them for teas and tisanes.

Yes to the Bodum. Simple, small ritual. Make as much or as little as you want. Grind beans as you go. The tiny Cuisinart works for me. Space is an issue, and both of these are very small.

https://www.cuisinart.com/products/coffee_makers/dcg-12bc.html

We use a pour over method– melita makes a 1-2 cup filter or what looks like a funnel but they also make a large 6-10 cup that goes straight into a carafe. It’s a lot like a Chemex without the glass. Super easy and you can use whatever beans you want.

Kona coffee (with hazelnut creamer) is my favorite! and you can’t go wrong with a Keurig!

Not a coffee drinker, diet coke is my poison of choice…BUT I was gifted a Nesspresso and my husband, an avid coffee snob, loves it! You have to order the pods online or by phone, which can be a pain I guess, but he thinks it’s totally worth it.

My husband is the coffee fan in our house. He occasionally uses k-cups at work and sometimes at home. I think my keurig for me is just a large hot water dispenser! I normally drink teas, hot or iced. But my husband has a ridiculously large and expensive espresso machine and grinder, huge! So he’s pretty picky about his coffee. I’ve learned from him whole bean is the best, and make sure it doesn’t go stale, is stored in a dark air-tight container, and grind just before using it. I’ve ordered Crema for him, now he uses Singing Rooster from Haiti, and I like that it’s a non-profit. They even make k-cups too!

A subject dear to my heart. Coffee is my first love. The Aeropress is my favorite way to make a morning cup of coffee. It’s similar to the french press but no sediment and is much easier to clean. Plus, it’s great to travel with. I can’t tell you how many french presses I’ve broken over the years. Now, I just use one if I am making more than one cup.

my hubby and i are complete coffee snobs. fortunately, we live in milwaukee, with several amazing coffee roasters within 20 miles of our house. i look for dark roasts with low acidity for a smoother taste and a better feeling in the tummy. nearly any micro-roaster will have a good coffee, and BONUS: they are likely fair trade, so you don’t have the guilt of knowing some farmer is being jipped out of a livelihood so we can enjoy a cheap cup o’ joe.

for brewing method, i highly recommend the Aeropress. I’ve tried everything and that’s the winner in our house. you can make as many or few cups as you want and as strong/weak as you want. travels well, perfect for camping, no electricity, and produces the best coffee i’ve ever tasted.

for my husband’s birthday this past february, he asked for amazon gift cards. he then compiled all those gift cards and bought a fancy espresso maker- a gaggia. i make myself a cappucinno every morning and i LOVE the ritual of it. it takes me a few more minutes than with the keurig, but it is definitely worth it. i think my favorite bean is the starbucks espresso blend- rich and strong, but not too bitter. yum. now i want another cappuccino!

Ha, I literally had just sat down with a cup of coffee to catch up on blog reading! :) I use the reusable coffee cup for my Keurig, too. I usually use Starbucks breakfast blend coffee and put sugar and either hazelnut or caramel machiatto creamer in it. I also really like Target’s Market Pantry Dulce de Leche latte K-cups (SO SO good!) and their Caramel Machiatto K-cups. Oh, and I always put Reddi Whip on top of every cup of coffee I drink. It adds so much and is worth the few extra calories. It makes it special!

AEROPRESS all the way! Basically makes Americanos. Cheap, simple, yummy. Using whatever coffee we have, occasionally Tonx (gourmet coffee delivery).

I have a regular coffee pot, though I love fresh press coffee but have never made it at home. My favorite beans are Caribou Mocha Java. I also love The Roasterie coffee but I haven’t had any since we moved from KC (though you can order it online so I’m not sure why I haven’t ordered any).

My favorite coffee is lavazza- illy is a good back up. Starbucks double roasts their beans which makes them taste burnt (to me).
I love a french press for a cheap way to get a good cup of coffee. We are avid coffee drinkers so I finally splurged for a saeco intuita we’ve saved so much since we only brew what we need and rarely bother getting a cup while we are out.
Also a must for us is a breville frother. Excellent frothed milk with no work! And it does hot chocolate for the kids!

Boston Stoker is a local gem!

Loved reading all the comments. I’m not a regular coffee drinker but love a cup every now and again. I also have a Keurig and buy a locally roasted whole bean Kona blend. It seriously smells like chocolate! My local roaster was out of Kona for awhile. Said something about the harvest wasn’t great last year so supply was down. Anyways, I found a spice grinder for $10 at a kitchen store. It grinds just what I need for my one cup. Most other coffee grinders cost upwards of $30. As far as the k-cups are concerned good ol Foldgers works for me. I don’t like a super biter coffee. I generally only put milk in my cup. No sugar.

I agree with everyone that a French press (Bodum) is a good way to go for a special cup, maybe on the weekends. They come in all kinds of sizes, so you can get a single or double cup pot. You have to clean the grounds and the press, so it’s a little more fussy. But then you can do Keurig during the week – Starbucks Medium Breakfast Blend is OK.

I was a barista for a few years at a local shop! I’m a big fan of some of the local coffee in town, for sure. But I also like to order coffee online from Peet’s, Mud Stret Cafe (Eureka Springs, Arkansas), and Cafe DuMonde (NOLA).

As far as brewing goes, if I’m feelin fancy, I use my French press or make a pour over! The pour over is good because you just make a cup at a time, or you can use a little more hot water to make a second cup with the same beans you just used! Here’s an overview of it, although I’m not nearly this meticulous with mine at home :) otherwise, I just have an old school coffee pot and brew me a small pot in the mornings. If I have leftovers for that day then I pour it into an ice tray and freeze it to use as ice in a cup of iced coffee! Happy brewing!

http://prima-coffee.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-pour-over-coffee-brewing

Check out Deeper Roots @ http://www.deeperrootscoffee.com/ It is local and they have ethically sourced coffee and their staff is really knowledgeable.

I agree with the French Press crowd. It’s a little more fussy but it makes for the best flavor- especially if you drink it black.

I’m also a mom of 3 who drinks coffee. I not loyal to any specific brand of beans, but I do prefer a dark roast. I use a basic grinder, and we have a Cuisinart coffee maker that we bought at Lowes. It’s nothing fancy, but I do like that it has a canister rather than a pot. Our espresso machine broke years ago, and we’re thinking about getting a new one soon. Our previous one was purchases at Starbucks, offered the option of a single or double shot, had a frother, and lasted more than 5 years. We will likely go with a high end machine again.

When I was in college majoring in Anthropology, one of the projects I did was on the ritual of drinking coffee. Many people, particularly busy moms like yourself, drink coffee in the manner you just described! It’s not so much about the drug but about the moment when you’re drinking it.

My husband is a huge coffee lover and his favorite is Kirkland brand from Costco. He has tried lots of other brands but, likes Kirkland the best. I only have one cup each morning and I use a Keurig, my favorite is Dunkin Donuts reg. blend. My husband had a Mr. Coffee, he drinks a pot full himself!

I completely agree. I was not a coffee drinker until recently and was intimidated by the Chemex for a long time. Now that I’ve conquered my fear, I can say it really is much easier than it looks. Honestly, I still can’t work a normal coffee machine.

Plus it’s easy to clean and stores away much easier than a machine or looks nice on an open shelf.

This resonates so much with me – this has been my morning ritual for years and I cannot start my day without it. The one thing I include is my husband. We have a coffee date in our living room every single morning while we watch the news. It’s how we make time for each other regardless of how busy we are. And yes, we get up at ridiculous o’clock so we are sure that we do have that time every single day. Well done you for finding that special time for yourself!

We are Peetniks and have Peets coffee whole beans delivered to our house every six weeks. It is our one indulgence that we have kept up no matter what our household budget. It also takes the guesswork out of finding a coffee we that like.

French Presses are over rated.

If I were you, I’d buy myself a ceramic pour over device that you put on top of your cup and just pour boiling water directly over the grounds. It will make the perfect amount of coffee, and the clean up is MUCH simpler. I also think the taste is far superior to french press coffee.

http://www.amazon.com/HIC-Coffee-Filter-Cone-No/dp/B001W6Q53C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408393356&sr=8-1&keywords=ceramic+pour+over

I also would like to reccomend 8 o’clock bean coffee in 100% columbian roast. It was consumer reports #1 coffee and it is readily available and not too expensive.

I am a LAMILL addict… the best! I get access to custom blends from them through my work, but everything they offer is great. I grind the beans each morning and brew in a normal coffee machine, but have been wanting to get a pour over system for some time now. Check out there website: http://lamillcoffee.com/shop/coffee.html And their teas are DIVINE too! My fave are the Jasmine Pearls :)

Definitely the AeroPress! If you aren’t familiar, it is similar to a French press, but somehow makes the coffee taste MUCH better, and is way easier to clean! My husband and I love our coffee making and drinking morning ritual and the AeroPress is key. :)

Can’t wait to read through these comments! I too have a Keurig, but only have 1 bambino. Yet I LOOOVEEE nursing my morning coffee cup in the still dark morning. It’s so peacefully quiet & warm & nice!

P.S. I tried the zucchini pie this weekend. Made 2 & everyone thought it was apple pie! So glad to be able to use those monster-hulk-arm-sized zucchini.

Nicole B.

I love my Chemex! I bought it on a whim with a leftover wedding gift card and I as so surprised at what a difference it made. Yes, it take special cone-shaped filters (bought them at Crate and Barrel with the Chemex and haven’t run out yet) but it is a calming process and I love the taste of the coffee better. Less bitter. All you have to do is heat up water in a kettle, course grind your coffee (flows easier) and voila! Best cup of joe! I use Boyd’s coffee now, but it really makes whatever coffee taste great!

I couldn’t live without our French Press. It’s pretty- both the french press and the tea kettle we fill it with can make a pretty display on your counter and stove. It’s adjustable- you can easily make just the amount of coffee you need, just place in more or less water and grounds. It’s environmentally friendly- no filters or Kcups needed, and I can dump the used grounds directly into our compost. It’s delicious- I think it makes the best pot of coffee around.

I love French press coffee. I have a small single serve Bodum which helps me maintain self-control and stick with one (sometimes two) cups. I vary which beans I use, but lately I’ve been enjoying Toms (yes, the Toms that does shoes). Grind your own beans; it does make a difference in flavor! And I feel like it adds to the experience because the preparation of each cup of coffee takes some thought and care.

I third the Bodum french press. Also, buy the good beans! It is so worth it. I love Peace Coffee, which is locally roasted, organic, fair trade coffee. If you keep whole beans in the fridge and grind them (coarsely for french press) just before you use them they will be freshest.

I second the South American coffee! I especially like Trader Joe’s Columbian and Guatemalan roasts. I’ll also add my vote to the many already listed for a french press and coffee grinder. Always try to grind your beans the day of, it does make a difference! One thing to keep in mind with the french press is you want a coarser ground bean, otherwise it can get through the filter.

I love using this little guy over a mug with freshly ground beans. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00310SB2K/ref=twister_B00GDALSWK

I drink dark roast coffee and vary on the brand.

For a special treat I love Turkish or Ethiopian coffee.

I actually do need the caffeine and will get headaches and fatigue if I go without. So I also add it to my morning shake in place of water or milk.

Spring/Summer – Iced Coffee
Fall/Winter – Hot Coffee

I buy the same whole beans (medium roast grocery store Caribou) and grind them in my cheapo blade grinder. I’m hoping for a real burr grinder for Christmas! My small city does have local roaster, but I haven’t been able to detect a difference in taste from grocery store brands – especially with iced coffee.

For Iced Coffee
I just cold brew it with about 1 cup fresh ground coffee and about 2 quarts fresh cold water from the tap. There are a lot of ways to cold brew coffee, but I let it sit on the counter for at least 12 hours. Strain out the grounds and store the coffee concentrate in the fridge. This makes enough for me for a week. In the mornings, I use a contigo mug and combine the coffee with ice, hazelnut syrup and half and half to take to work.

Hot Coffee:
Aeropress!! It is easy – I just follow the directions that came with it except I use the inversion method. I did buy a very nice electric kettle for boiling water that is essential for this. Brew for about 2 minutes, then extract in the contigo travel mug with hazelnut syrup and half and half.

My husband is the tea drinker, so I don’t have to worry about pleasing him, but we do share the electric kettle. Making cold brew coffee less time intensive and you always have coffee on hand. I have burned myself on occasion with inverting the Aeropress, so if you have little ones running around Iced coffee is just as good. Otherwise, I’m just a klutz.

I’m currently taking inventory of the cold brews that are out there. I live in California and it’s currently incredibly hot, but even winters where I live are mild – usually no less than 45 degrees. Cold coffee is delightful all year round. So, that said, I think Trader Joe’s might officially have my favorite cold brew. They sell it in the coffee section in a plastic container and it says that you can get 12 cups from the contents. I like to drink it with a tablespoon of vanilla syrup and some 2%. I’ve also really enjoyed Chameleon Cold Brew (http://www.chameleoncoldbrew.com/products/), but it is a little on the pricier side and only one flavor is sold at my local Sprouts. Lastly (on store bought cold brew), Starbucks sells one in stores which is decent in a pinch, but not my favorite.
Pioneer Woman has a wonderful recipe for cold brew, if you’re ever interested in concocting your own. I’ve had success with this, but I suggest a nut milk bag (instead of cheese cloth and a strainer) for fewer grounds in your brew.
All of these are also great with a tablespoon of sweetened, condensed milk in lieu of sugar/syrup.

For a warm cup – we love us some Peet’s. Costco often has Major Dickason’s which is delightful or their house blend. We drink it both brewed in a regular coffee pot and also french pressed.

I love coffee…can you tell?

I brew the same way…reusable filter with a Keurig. My favorites are Dunkin Donuts (not the bulk bag) french vanilla and hazelnut, and for regular I like New England something (it’s a yellow bag). I like mine with coconut milk. If I know I’ll be having more than one or two cups at home I prefer to brew it in my percolator. I don’t know what it is about this brewing method, but it’s heavenly.

Happy coffee drinking!

Fascinating!

I drink coffee almost every day. The best cup is the first one out of the pot. My husband doesn’t understand, but for years when I was working, the early am with my first cup and a newspaper was very satisfying for me and a special start for the day. I am retired now, but I still love my first cup as soon as I get out of bed. I use a “mr coffee type of machine. I also have an expresso machine and I sometimes have a cappachino in the afternoon.

Ack! Breville, not cuisinart!

And we dump loads of coffee grounds down the drain and have never had a problem…

A fourth on the Bodum french press and good beans. As well, while there is a price difference, fair trade is essential. After working with folks from coffee growing communities in developing countries, I’m convinced that buying anything else is definitely exploitative (which also leaves a bad taste in my mouth).

I’ll also offer a potentially controversial reco: Trader Joe’s Instant Coffee. It’s as good as foreign Nescafe (US is a different formula) and perfect for the single cup. With an electric kettle, I can have coffee in my hand in under a minute. It also speeds up iced coffee significantly. I add milk to combat acid reflux, but it’s mellow and smooth black as well. I’m very impressed and hoping it doesn’t suddenly disappear from my local store like my last fav, the cold brew coffee concentrate.

I love Caribou for my Keurig!

Sometimes the only thing that gets me up in the morning, is knowing I get to have my coffee! I too have a Keurig which I use my one filter cup. I love Trader Joe’s coffee and World Market. (don’t know if you have any close to you.) Chemex is not intimitading at all! I thought it was too but my 20 yr old son drinks it like this. Pour over is so much better than Keurig. My other son uses a stovetop Moka pot (bed, bath & beyond or other kitchen stores) Quick easy and all of these make a small amount of coffee. Enjoy!

I gave up caffeine completely for my first pregnancy, but couldn’t care less about possible side-effects by the second one, so was back to the occasional cup (via work’s Keurig) a few times a week. After giving birth to my second, I was at home and just never got around to getting a coffee maker; I just found myself purposely showing up for coffee at my parents’ every weekend. Shortly before my youngest turned one, I bought a five-cup Black and Decker coffee maker, pretty much the simplest one I could find. I’ve played with different brands/roasts/fresh-ground vs. pre-ground. Most of the time I have a couple different options on hand, but always find myself going for Folgers’ Flavours French Vanilla. It’s not a dark roast, but smells like heaven when it’s brewing and tastes amazing black or with a bit of cream.

I love cold brew too! I’ve been using this recipe from How Sweet Eats along with the almond syrup. So good!
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/07/four-homemade-coffee-syrups-and-my-favorite-cold-brew/

My husband is the bigger coffee drinker in our house, but I like it too. We use our Keurig most often with whatever dark roast we have on hand for him and the lightest roast for me. I bought him a reusable K-cup because I felt guilty about the amount of garbage we were generating. He used it for about a month and then admitted he hated the way his coffee tasted in it compared to the pre-filled K-cups. We were using pre-ground beans (Dunkin’ Dark) and I’m guessing it had something to do with the coarseness? He likes his coffee strong, and even when he filled his reusable K-cup to the brim, it wasn’t a strong cup of coffee.

On the weekends we like to use our Bodum french press and brew Rouses Coffee with Chicory that we got on a trip to Louisiana a few years ago. We finally ran out so I guess it’s time to go back and get some more.

I love the idea of freezing cubes of coffee! I’m definitely trying that. Iced coffee is my favorite – year round. (And I live in Minnesota.)

What a great idea to freeze some of it in ice cube trays!

Whole beans, grind at home using a burr grinder, make the cup with an aeropress. There is no bitterness but lots of flavor.

We became coffee snobs about five years ago when our oldest son, then 17, starting roasting coffee in our garage. He now ships all over the US and buys direst from growers in Costa Rica and worldwide. And has a legit space now too. He has a great little roastery in Amarillo Texas called Evocation Coffee and you can find him online at evocationcoffee.com.
We either French Press or use a Pour Over depending on what he tells us for each batch. It’s my reason for getting out of bed each morning.

I love one of the darker Starbucks roasts freshly ground and made in my French press each morning. I just make one cup and usually drink it while giving the baby her morning bottle. I just can’t get up early enough to make it before she wakes up these days.

I have tried the tassimo, a cuisinart espresso maker and a delonghi espresso maker. I finally splurged and purchased the nespresso with a coupon at Bedbathandbeyond (if you buy in the store and have an employee order-you get free shipping and the coupon). The pods are about $0.60 a piece, but there are generic brands/and reusable pods you can purchase too. The espresso and crema are perfect and hot hot hot. I alternate between the nespresso and my Chambord French press with Kirkland brand (brewed by Starbucks) and grind it at home with a Capresso. I usually alternate espresso/French press days to keep the cost down. I am really tempted to buy a Keurig Mini though (I’m the sole coffee drinker as well). Somedays the cleaning of the grinds and waiting for water is time consuming….I know first world problems.–I have three young boys, stay at home mother/designer…..And, I like coffee (if you couldn’t figure that out ;)….and the daily ritual of it.

Girl, you are speaking my love language. I had a Keurig for about 7 years, which died about a year ago. I didn’t want another Keurig, as their manufacturing seemed to go down hill, with an average lifespan of 2-3 years. I finally chose a Bunn MCU single cup coffee maker. It comes with these “drawer” things and can use k-cups, your own ground coffee, coffee pods. There is also a drawer for dispensing hot water (I use this one for hot tea). I’ve had it almost a year and really like it.
Good luck to you on your coffee maker search. Life is better with coffee : )

Coffee is my little slice too :) I have an espresso maker….yummy. Best investment ever.

A small French press with three coffee measures of coffee ground for a French press (a little coarser) makes strong enough coffee for 1/2 & 1/2 with microwaved milk or soy (the heating to steaming makes the milk sweeter by converting the starches to sugars, and for soy just makes it a better mix-in) for a welcome latte for me every morning (large cup ;) A manager at Peets (where I buy my coffee) told me that French Press coffee is richer than any stovetop espresso maker can produce and I agree. Try it. Much less fuss than the capsule variety.

I’m like you – I could easily give up coffee itself tomorrow, but I like it as a nice ritual when I go into work. I usually only have one cup at the beginning of my shift, and generally don’t have any coffee on my days off, unless I have an impromptu coffee date with my Dad:) My co-workers and I purchased a Keurig and everybody just buys their own pods. Sometimes I like to get the flavoured coffee’s, but usually it’s just straight up medium roast – what ever is on sale. I also like the flavoured creamers, usually hazelnut…or actual Baileys in my coffee on special, non work days;) If I’m out of pods, I’ll just stop by a local coffee shop for a cup of joe to bring to work. I think it is mental, like you said. I work 2 days, and then 2 nights – so it just gives me a good start to my shift…hopefully before things can get too crazy!

You can do Chemex in your sleep, girl! And it is BY FAR the best way to go. Plus, you can easily make a cup at a time.

Land of a Thousand Hills coffee. Excellent coffee with a really cool mission.

http://www.landofathousandhills.com/

Love this post and the chance to dish about the beans!

My husband and I both drink coffee but like it made differently so we make more of the 1-mug batches. We have two options: french press (we use a basic Bodum 10 oz. model from Target) and stovetop espresso maker (a Bialetti 1-cup). Both are great tools, not too pricey, and more attractive than plug-in coffee makers.

For dark roast we use Eight O’Clock Central Highlands and for lighter roast we use Caribou Daybreak. Both are available at Kroger and both are frequently on sale. Although for a real treat we’ll drink Indian Monsoon coffee – hard to find but it’s so delicious! We usually buy whole bean and use a basic Toastmaster grinder.

I hope you find your magic blend of the right beans with the right equipment. Keep us posted!

coffee is way too watered down and acidic for me. my drink of choice is espresso! i love our Jura espresso machine that grinds whole beans. i prefer local micro-roasters for beans and also to support our local economy.
i will say that if you truly want a moment to savor and make special, you should try a few different roasts and origins. for me, i’ve found that i don’t like south american or latin american beans because they are fruity and taste sour to me — i end up with ethiopian or african beans for a nutty, chocolate flavor to the roast. have fun with it and experiment! one of our favorite things to do on vacation is seek out the local roasters and have a tasting!

I never developed a ‘yen’ for coffee. I’m 70 now but when I was a teenager I heard that it stained your teeth. My parents made sure I had nice teeth and I wanted to maintain those chicklets behind my smile. So I’ve never drank coffee, tea or soda. I’ve had people say to me “how do you get up in the morning w/o coffee”? So I don’t ‘get it’ but I think there are a lot of folks in my age range that don’t drink coffee. So bottom line – Vanity got in the way of my having a coffee affair!

Iced cold brewed – NYT recipe http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/dining/276drex.html?_r=0 (tripled, so we have enough for the week). Spalsh of half and half, no sugar.

I need two cups. One for each eye. I get a headache and twitchy by 7am if I haven’t had a cup yet!! I love my small Chemex since I am also the only coffee drinker (although my 9yo counts himself as one…). It is slightly labor intensive. But I’ve trained my three children not to bother me (with anything but hugs) before I’ve had my first cup. This buys me a few “quiet” moments that I savor each morning. I wish there was a reusable filter but I wash my filter and get two days out of it. It’s not hard to clean- especially compared to a French press. I’m not picky about kind, my brother-in-law is a coffee distributor. Free tastes good!
PS your driveway post was awesome! My husband enjoyed it too! We have the “before” shot and need to fix it at some point soonish. Our debate is I want to go to Paris or London with that money and he wants to do the driveway. Aaahhhh the joys of marriage and First World problems ;)

Recently saw this beauty in my Pinterest feed and am curious, but have no idea what to do with it…. https://www.etsy.com/listing/181151357/the-curator-v60-pour-over-stand?ref=related-1

I am an occasional (4 day a week) coffee drinker since my second of 3 babies. I’ve gone through brand phases, Trader Joes has some yummy coffees… But my sister got us the Starbuck machine that makes the pods and i’m all Verona now. Mmmm… for me I also love the ritual of getting a Starbucks downtown. But thinking i’d love to learn how to use that pretty creation linked above. Maybe you could do a tutorial :)

I second Deeper Roots. They are a great local coffee roaster. You can buy direct from them or at a number of local restaurants–my favorite being Dojo Gelato at Findlay Market.

I love my Keurig. My favorite is coconut mocha. My next favorite is Community Coffee kcups with chicory (might be a Louisiana thing). The way I rationalize it is that I have one cup 4-5 mornings each week. It’s cheaper than going to Starbucks and I make exactly what I need. No waste. Yes, it would be too expensive if my husband and I both had 3 cups a day, but we don’t, so, I prefer the easiness of this! I also usually use my Bed, Bath and Beyond 20%off coupon to buy my coffee.

Or skip the coffee and go straight for the gelato

I’m a coffee addict and use a Breville Keurig maker. I prefer my coffee dark and black and my go-to is Newman’s Own Special Blend. Bonus…they sell it at Costco. 2nd place would be Starbuck’s Sumatra. Enjoy!

I haven’t looked through every single response, but I would definitely recommend a french press. I have a cute little one that makes about 2 mugs worth. I buy my beans from Costco and grind them right there at the front of the store. I got tired of grinding my own and I haven’t noticed any issue with my beans going bad. Their machine will do any kind of grind you want – always use the coarse grind for French presses. Also, when you’re done with the brew and are left with the beans, save them and put the leftovers in a compost pile or right on any acid loving plant (like hydrangeas, etc). No waste!!

I am a coffee snob for sure ( I roast my own beans) and a aeropress is the way to go! Try some locally roasted beans and grind them fresh. A good grinder makes a huge difference too.

Oh, I can so relate!! I want to travel so badly.

I loved my Keurig before I got my Expresso machine. And for coffee I love Café Cibales (red package) a local brand and is soooo good and the crema is rich and golden…just perfect!

That’s so cool that your son can offer you advice on how to brew different types of coffee!

That almond syrup sounds amazing!!

Oh, wow! So much good info here. Thanks for the link to the pour over brewing.

6am. Sleeping littles. Fresh beans. Maybe Costa Rican.Hand ground. French pressed. Tiniest splash of milk and honey. New post on house tweaking. Happy morning momma.

Love it.

Those moms and their secret ingredients! Sounds divine.

My morning routine is slowly enjoying a cup of black coffee, freshly ground & brewed in my Miele coffee maker, while reading my daily devotionals. It’s my way of waking up slowly & focusing on what’s important to me. My day is just not the same without that me time! I love Kona coffee, but beans from Costa Rica & ElSalvador are fabulous as well. One of my all time favorite souvenirs was a pound of coffee beans from a local roaster in Florence, Italy. Enjoy this new “adventure”!!!

Love all of these tips! Thank you (and your dad).

Coffee + butter + coconut oil?! Mind. Blown.

I am actually trying to train myself to like coffee. We also have a stainless steel french press that my husband uses, we like green mountain coffee’s hazelnut. You can also make cold press coffee in it, just put cold water and coffee into it and into the fridge overnight. The thing I dislike about coffee is that bitter taste, cold pressed coffee doesn’t seem to have that. (every Kcup coffee I’ve ever had was the WORST with that bitter taste, ick!)

But my new favorite is McDonalds iced coffee. It’s only $1 and I have been finding myself driving past McD’s during my errands a lot lately.

I think you can empty the grinds once you pop the top and then refill it. I did it on night shift at work once in a very desperate attempt to find coffee!

Loved this post! Worked my college years as a Barista and still love my coffee. Hubby now roasts his own just for fun! Fresh ground beans and hot (190-200 degrees)water. We manually pour it over a Melita filter. Now to get the 3 kids to sleep in past 7am…

ILLY!!! My husband is Guatemalan and has made a coffee snob out of me. He used to work at a fancy restaurant there [like serving the president of Guate. kind of fancy] and he raved about this coffee- he was a barista so he knows what hes talking about. We were in an italian store and he saw it there and now that we know the name, we’re obsessed. It’s expensive. Besides nice italian stores, we’ve found it online and at tjmaxx [where I totally bought them out and looked crazy].

It’s really fine though so we’ve had some issues with our coffee maker spilling over [I guess the water takes too long to go through]. I’d love to try a french press though especially after reading all these comments! We’ve used the cuisinart coffeemaker that grinds it for us [which has withstood 4 years of heavy use]. Its just now starting to give us some issues.

I have coffee pretty much every day at this point. On my days off I start off by the open window, reading my blogs until my husband gets up. Then I end up rewarming the same cup several times throughout the day. Work days are more rushed and on the go, but its still my special moment. That and showers!

I too recently became a coffee drinker. I actually started drinking coffee because of my son (he’s 9), He always likes a cup of coffee/milk but when he was younger was concerned that it was too hot so I was the tester. Over time the taste grew on me and now I look forward to a good cup of coffee with just a dash of milk and one Sweet n Low. My husband on the other hand drinks coffee like water and takes it strong and black. Fortunately I have found a great coffee that we both love. We are Military and currently living in Germany. We brought our Keurig with us but are limited to what is available at the commissary if we want K-cups. I have found that Folgers make a lovely blend called Black Silk. It is strong but smooth and makes both me and my husband happy. It also comes in loose grounds so if you wanted to use your reusable K-cup to save a little money. Although I am a new coffee drinker I hate a watery cup of coffee so I am glad that I have found a blend I can easily and affordably get while living abroad.

I come from Melbourne Australia and we are some of the biggest coffee snobs you will ever see. I’m loving all the comments as I am travelling to the USA for the first time soon and have been worried about getting good expresso style coffee. All we hear about happening in the US are the flavoured, fancy drinks from the chain stores. I swear by my Moka coffee pot as you don’t need to make more than you want. I’ve been using the same stovetop Moka for over 20 years with no sign it is failing. Cheers

When I first moved to Cape Town, South Africa 12 years ago, I brought my stovetop Bialetti from Canada. In the last decade, the coffee culture in Cape Town has become incredibly sophisticated so I am guaranteed to find amazing beans everywhere.
Although I drink much less coffee now, than a decade ago, I love grinding beans and putting my Bialetti on my gas hob … I wait for it to brew while watching the mountains in the background and the birds in the forefront of my garden … that is until my 7 year old wakes up and he wants me to kick the soccer ball while drinking my coffee at the same time. “Cause that’s what moms do” ;)

I hate the term pour-over. It just seems like marketing jargon designed to sell new contraptions to people who already have other former de rigueur contraptions.

But that said, it’s what I’ve done for forever, only I thought of it as a one-cup drip filter. Though according to this article, there are important steps I’m skipping (wetting the grounds? Meh): http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/06/make-better-pourover-coffee-how-pourover-works-temperature-timing.html

It’s a very easy way to brew a single cup and I find it easier to adjust to my tastes than coffee from a k-cup (even a reusable pod) which I was recently gifted. Frankly, I do fall back on the k-cups more and more due to convenience.

But the thing is that everyone’s tastes in coffee are different so what works for someone here might not be your jam. You can be a discerning coffee lover who’s fond of bold intense roasts or you could be one who likes lighter milder choices with some extra flavoring. I’d suggest getting out and trying coffee from different sources and see what appeals to you most. Get a pour-over from a local coffee house, go to a Sur La Table and try a cup of Nespresso, do a side by side comparison with an Americano to see if you actually prefer espresso, etc. Something out there will stand out.

I’ve been spoiled from living in the Pacific NW all my life, surrounded by amazing coffee! Stumptown Coffee has the most delicious beans. We splurged for our “appliance” anniversary and got a superautomatic espresso machine that does anything you want a cup or two at a time. My favorite is a few espresso shots over iced almond milk with a touch of agave sweetner.

Think you’ve found a subject us girls could talk about all morning…lovely ritual for this Mom of 3. Two in college and a Jr. In High school, so coffee has been important to me for a long time now. I am happiest when I can count on my coffee’s flavor and it’s temperature. I like it hot, hot, hot. I’ve never been disappointed with Starbucks beans at home or out, so for my daily, I stick with that. French press is my favorite, but often use a basic auto drip to share with the hubs. Simple is best. Drink what speaks to you and helps you travel to a happy place. When you find it you know it, and if you stick to it, you may just become what’s known as a coffee snob. Ha ha!

I totally understand what you mean about the ritual, and I only have two kids! They get up early, so I have to carve out moments for my coffee and tea amidst the chaos of a baby and toddler. On the rare mornings when I’m up before both of them, though, it’s sublime. I’m a moderate coffee aficionado, but not a full fledged snob. ;) While the Keurig is unarguably convenient, I don’t think it yields the best coffee. Since you’re just making one cup it probably wouldn’t be worthwhile to get an auto-drip maker. I bet you would be very pleased with a small French press (I have a Bodum that I love). And you definitely need to grind your beans fresh at home! I recently started ordering Kicking Horse brand beans from Amazon and have been really impressed with the quality over what you would find in the grocery store, plus they’re organic and fair trade.

{just found your blog recently. I’m in love!}
Amen on child-induced coffee addiction! I’m like you, I don’t NEED it every day but I enjoy the hell out of it as many days as possible. We just bought a french press for the house after enjoying it so much on a recent trip to the UK. My husband does a single filter drip – just a plastic thing that sits on top of his coffee cup and he brews the water in a tea-kettle first.

But in this weather, cold brew is where it’s at for me! And I add a mixture of regular milk and sweetened condensed milk for sweetness. I HIGHLY reccommend the super cheap and amazing Ronco Cold Brew (yes, like the spray-on-hair company from the eighties) contraption on amazon and you should definitely watch the viedo review because it’s exactly what I do, straight down to the glass container. Basically: pour {filtered} water slowly over half a bag of your favorite grounds. Refrigerate overnight and then take the filter *plug* out and let it drip super slowly. One batch will last me for about a week if I drink one a day. SO. GOOD.

We saw a consumer report a few years ago on the best coffee – they were searching for a combination of best quality (taste) for the best value. The coffee that won was 8 O’Clock coffee – in the Columbian flavor. Since then, that is our go-to, everyday coffee that you can get at the grocery store. We love and drink it for our “every day” coffee…and we splurge on the fancier stuff/different stuff on the weekends or date nights. Give it a try – it has a great taste!

I am a tride and true Hazelnut coffee girl. My boyfriend’s parents gifted us Keurig for Christmas and it changed my life. Dramatics aside, I love how quick and easy it is to brew coffee with that thang. My bf, however, grinds (grounds?) coffee beans up every morning, french presses them, and adds a tablespoon of unsalted grass fed butter. Fancy schmancy right? I have yet to do that BUT one of my closest friends recently started her own coffee company called Chapin. It is Guatemalan coffee and works a lot like the TOMs organization. They’ve teamed up with some great charities and for every bag of coffee you buy, you provide 3 meals for an undernourished child in Guatemala. Pretty awesome!

Seriously — not wanting to produce waste was my main argument about buying a home keurig. Now I have the feeling I must have one!!!

We use an Aeropress too and also grind the coffee beans daily. It makes an amazing cup of coffee.

my fiance is a coffee roaster and has his own business, so the coffee i drink is our own (and ultimately would i would recommend, haha). my best advice – if you don’t already – would be to definitely find a local roaster and try some fresh coffee. once you switch you’ll definitely taste the difference from store brands and notice how stale they really are. those bags have to sit on the shelves for a long time, and when large coffee companies are roasting, they tend to go the safe route and burn the beans since under-roasted beans will be unusable. starbucks is the worst offender. going local will also give you the opportunity to talk to your roaster and learn all about the beans, what kinds you like, different roast levels and brewing methods, etc.
there are plenty of different ways to brew your coffee, depending on what you prefer. the chemex is great and coffee tastes amazing from it, but i understand some people are not too interested in learning the technique and buying equipment to go along with it (filters and a kettle). a french press is also great and probably takes about the same time as a regular coffee maker. the benefit of a french press is that you can make your regular hot cup, or you can use it to make cold brew, which is really easy and gives you an unmatched result. if you don’t have a french press, you can even just make it in a mason jar. the coffee comes out almost thicker, sweeter and smoother. no chance of bitterness or anything like that. and you can just get it ready the night before and leave it out overnight to “brew.” here’s a quick guide, though there are plenty more out there: https://tonx.org/cold-brew-guide

coffee will always be best if you store it in an airtight container and out of the light. you don’t have to put it in the freezer or anything like that – that will actually damage your beans. grinding just before you brew is also preferred. you can get a really nice grinder, or something simpler at target will work just fine.

sorry! this post just got so long, but this is exactly what we’ve spent the last few years studying and learning about, so i’m excited to share! ultimately – and this is basically the attitude we try to put across with the company – there are plenty of ways to drink coffee, but the best way is however you like it. we’re happy and excited to try new methods and equipment, but we try to keep things simple and not turn into snobs about it.

have you checked around for reusable filters? i know i’ve seen them for the chemex plenty of times.

We have a french press and a Toddy brewer. Iced coffee is by far my favorite way to drink coffee and the Toddy is amazing for that. I hadn’t heard of Chemex but it looks similar. Honestly, I have an easier time with the overnight brew than trying to make a good hot pot of coffee in the morning…for all my years of drinking coffee that is a skill I never did master :)

Pour over with a Bee House ceramic dripper. Single origin beans or light blend. Ground at home with a burr grinder. It is simple but has a ritual to it that is as good as the coffee. Only a slight learning curve.

I have a Keurig, as well as a French Press. While most days, I prefer my Keurig for my M-F rush, I like the ritual of my French Press on the weekends. I shop at Kohls and use my Kohls Cash to buy my big packs of K-Cups, its a nice bonus, and often I find they are cheaper than a run to the grocery store or Target. I love to drop in some Gloria Jeans when I need a little more comfort in flavor. Otherwise I am a Green Mountain Breakfast Blend K-Cup, or Starbucks Pikes Place grounds in my reusable filter.

In my Fresh Press, I pull out my Seattle’s Best Grounds (Level 2) and steep a nice amount of coffee for the weekend days. This of course with a little cream and sugar, and a little vanilla time to time.

I don’t have kids but I still love my morning cup. Especially on weekends in the summer when I sit out in the cool, quiet backyard, sipping and reading for a bit. That’s right there is a little slice of heaven for me.

I used to be 100% French Press. Then I discovered Keurig with the re-usable filter cup and the french press now sits in the back of the cabinet. For me, the Keurig flavor won out. I generally use Starbucks Pike Place Roast (medium, from the grocery) or Peet’s Major Dickason (ground-to-order at the Peet’s shop).

http://buzzboxcoffee.com/

It is the best plus the money goes to a good cause!!

I use my own coffee in a reusable keurig filter too but I first put a bit of milk in my mug and steam & froth it (cheap frothers from ikea work great!). Then the coffee. I usually add a bit of spice topper from Steeped Tea that has cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in it which makes the coffee taste like a delicious expensive latte:)

I am pregnant with my first and was turned off by coffee the first trimester but sometime so miss it! I was drinking copious amounts just before so it’s been a good way to cut back actually. I am sorta like you, I never drank it until a few years ago.
We go through spurts with brewing methods but we mostly stick to French Press,. We have two, a large (8cup?) and small single cup press that we got at a garage sale for $.50! We use them both to death. We also have a biglietti stovetop espresso machine which is also wonderful. If we have a crowd we use a standard coffee maker. Beans sometimes we grind our own at home (oh the smell!) and sometimes we get whole bean and grind it at the store, and sometimes we’re just lazy and grinding can be a mess so we get already ground bags. Roasts or brands am not picky about. I like medium breakfasty roasts generally and I usually get fair trade, if I can, which is important! I throw in cinnamon with the grounds and it smells amazing. Then half and half with a bit more cinnamon on top. Perfection.

Chemex all the way! Coffeemakers, like a Keurig, are primarily made of plastic. We know now not to heat plastic in the microwave, and yet everyone is still brewing their (hot!) coffee in plastic coffeemakers. I used to use a french press, but was irritated because there were always grounds in my coffee, no matter how roughly I ground it (plus, my french press had plastic parts). A Chemex is healthier and I think is actually the easiest and simplest way to brew a cup of coffee. Plus, it seems to magically take away the bitterness.

As to coffee, Illy is my absolute favorite. I got addicted to it in Italy and haven’t looked back (though Lavazza is excellent as well).

Good luck and enjoy!

French press! I admit I mostly use an automatic in the early morning weekday rush. But we French press it on weekends and when we get up before kids. It’s actually really easy- heating th water takes the most time. The press is actually a really nice routine/ritual.
We don’t have a fancy one, just one we got as a gift. It’s amazing what a difference it makes.
Let us know what you decide!
(I usually support local coffee shops by finding beans locally)

Ditto Amber,
This is the quickest, hottest method and no sooner than you turn around you have a full pot ready to enjoy!
Gina

Dana, I grew up with a Chemex coffee pot in the house – far from intimidating, it is so elegantly simple. Plug in pots and Keurigs all have electrical elements and bits and pieces that can break/wear out. A Chemex will work until (or if!) you ever drop and break it. Since I grew up with a gas stove (and have one now too) I can also make coffee when the power is out. :) Bonus. And using them couldn’t be more simple. Put in filter. Add coffee. Top with hot water until you have enough. Drink! I hope you consider it – it’s a great kitchen sculpture too – they are in museums you know!

Mmmmm…coffee, the smell, taste and ritual all is so delicious!

We’re only one cup a day drinkers and prefer either stovetop espresso: http://www.bialetti.com/coffee/stovetop/stainless-c-1_7_21.html OR french press :). We even prefer the stovetop version to our electric espresso maker…although we do use that to foam and warm our milk ;)…but it looks like you take yours black-even easier!

We’re lazy coffee makers. I make a pot in the morning (on our Bunn) and reheat it the rest of the day. It’s half regular coffee and half of the seasonal pumpkin coffee from Target (that I stock up on when it’s in season). I’m loving it with the Natural Bliss cinnamon creamer that recently got released.

Too funny! I had never heard the 3rd child theory of coffee drinking, but I, too, became a regular coffee drinker only about a year after having my third child. I use a french press and grind beans at home because my husband is the resident coffee snob. I was also gifted a “Toddy” cold brew system which I love to use, especially in the summer time. It allows you to cold brew a full batch of coffee (concentrate) the night before, and then it keeps in the fridge for maybe a week. You can add water and heat it up if you want a hot cup of jo, or it obviously makes for wonderful iced lattes, too!

yes! http://www.keurig.com/accessories/my-k-cup?cm_mmc=speng-_-PL-_-gog-_-ProductListingAds&utm_source=gog&utm_medium=speng&utm_campaign=ProductListingAds&utm_keyword=PL&gclid=CjwKEAjw68ufBRDt0Zmrn4W_8AwSJADcjp1cSDnUbNYddYJYLEqQ6wDbiNRdHrcR4pZAE4JSxP31rxoCpVvw_wcB

I didn’t start drinking coffee until right before i had my daughters in my early 30s. For the past year or so i’ve been brewing it the way i read about here: http://www.unspeakablevisions.com/2014/02/how-we-make-coffee.html

It’s so easy and i swear the coffee is way better! (I don’t grind my own beans though, i just buy the Starbucks breakfast blend and call it a day.)

I’ve recently discovered coconut water, and with that discovery came the discovery of Vita CoCo’s Cafe Latte’s: http://www.amazon.com/Vita-Coco-Latte-Original-Ounce/dp/B007JHXQQC

I find them to be best served over ice to get the most chilled effect. The coffee is brewed with coconut water and then they add a little milk and dash of cocoa to make it a latte. Mmmmm, my lips are watering just thinking of it!

I looove coffee. Coffee itself makes me happy :-) However, I don’t really consider myself a coffee snob. I have a pretty laid back approach to it. We have a Keurig that I use more often than not – sometimes I use our refillable k-cups, sometimes we have normal k-cups that I just pop in. We also have a cheap-o Mr. Coffee french press that I like to use (and I’m suuuuuper lazy about it). I just dump coffee grounds in there (I buy it ground, we don’t have a grinder) and use the keurig with no cup for the hot water. Some of my favorite roasts tend to be medium colombians, or the starbucks light roasts. If it’s described as “nutty” I usually love it :-)

100% Agree! Bulletproof coffee, using a french press to brew the coffee, is pure heaven…

Btw, I use an immersion blender stick to blend it up. Much simpler than pulling out (and cleaning) my countertop blender.

I am quite sure this isn’t going to make anyone else’s top lists, with everything that is available these days with coffee instantly, but during a trip overseas, I found so many people using kettles and instant coffee grounds.
The difference between theirs and ours? Quality. It tastes like the finest blend of coffee I’ve ever tasted from a homegrown coffeeshop in small town Alaska… which really blew apart my notions completely about instant coffee because see, I grew up with Sanka. That was the best you got.
So yeah, I prefer the overseas stuff and the ease with which it’s made. Fast, tasty, easy.

Nespresso! We have converted many friends and family members.

I love coffee and I love my Nespresso Pixie. I’ve always preferred Americano over brewed coffee, so when I found a screaming deal at Williams Sonoma, I had to buy it. I use it every day. No sugar, just cream. And it has to be cream.

We love fog chaser k-cups. Best we’ve found and very reasonable.

http://www.amazon.com/San-Francisco-Bay-Coffee-Chaser/dp/B006IOKA84/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408481726&sr=8-2&keywords=san+francisco+bay+fog+chaser

I also say bullet proof coffee! with fresh ground beans, coconut oil and clarified butter.

I searched an apparently the word “aeropress” has come up 17 times already.

Last week, I brought my aeropress (which I’ve used almost daily for 5 years) to a cottage vacation with family. At the end of the week, two of my aunts and my sister’s boyfriend all went out and bought aeropresses to use at home. It really isn’t fiddly or much work at all. I rinse and reuse the filters (the designer of the product does the same), and I haven’t had to buy new filters yet. Not that they would break the bank, I just don’t like to waste.

I’m the only coffee drinker in our home, so this is perfect for us. And recently, I added a milk frother (HIC Brands that Cook Stainless Steel Milk Frother, 14-Ounce Size from amazon) and now have a latte every day. I was a barista for years, and I’m pretty proud of what I can come up with at home.

French press is wonderful, but I love drip coffee, partly because it fills the house with such an amazing warm aroma! Sometimes I brew a pot of cheap coffee, just for the smell. (I drink HEB coffee.)

I LOVE Trader Joe’s House Blend. They have a few other varieties that are good, but that’s our everyday go-to. xox

A Jura is the only way to go. The coffee is amazing, my entire family has one. They are expensive but well worth it. You can also find refurbished ones.

A cup of coffee is such a delicious treat. A few people above have mentioned the “rules” of an excellent cup. Fresh beans, good grinder, etc. My husband and I make ours in a french press. It’s easy and makes a delicious cuppa. We tend to ignore the fresh beans rule, as most of our beans come from Costco. We are particularly fond of a brand called Salt Spring Coffee. It’s Canadian, so I don’t know if it would be available at Costco in the US. It is a whole bean, medium roast that is really smooth and I adore it. If we buy local, we have a spectacular coffee place in Calgary called Phil & Sebastien. They have incredible roast options and all of their beans are ethically sourced and fair trade.

We do take care to grind our beans fresh each morning and we use a Breville kettle with variable heat settings to get the correct water temperature. It actually has a french press button on it!

Coffee is one of those things that is very personal. Some people love their x-large Dunkin’ (or Tim Horton’s in Canada) and some won’t settle for anything less than the most finely hand-crafted latte. Find the thing that makes you happy and enjoy your quiet moments.

We are from the Bay Area and Peet’s coffee is the only one my husband will ever buy – delicious. As for French Press coffemakers, I remember reading years ago there were studies that showed that using those kinds of boiling water coffee makers with no filters might contribute to higher cholesterol. Something to check into if you’re thinking of going that way.

I love this post, Dana. After my second son, I had postpartum depression. My dad purchased a Keurig for me as gift and, as totally crazy as it sounds, my little ritual of morning coffee in my new coffee maker provided me with some much needed light in my day during a really hard period. Like you said, it was a small mental ritual that brought a lot of comfort and enjoyment. I still have my Keurig but brew my own coffee in the reusable k-cup. I have been a fan lately of Counter Culture Coffee, which is brewed locally in the Raleigh-Durham area. I like the La Golondrina brew-it’s fruity and bold without being bitter. I have also always loved Larry’s Beans (also local) Costa Little Ricky blend. SO good and more mild and smooth than the former one I mentioned. Hope this helps!!

I’ve lived in Seattle for the past 5 years, before I lived in Florida and enjoyed a cup every once in a while. Especially iced lattes! But here the coffee snobbery has become a way of life. I have one cup a day most days and, like you, enjoy the ritual of peace that comes with it moreso than the caffeine buzz. I’ve been tasting coffees all around the city and I’d say the best is Bauhaus (http://www.bauhauscoffee.net/) and they ship their deliciousness anywhere, so get some. You would love the look of their stores, too. Such a clean, beautiful aesthetic. I actually get up earlier when I know it’s a Bauhaus brew day! My grocery store favorite is Peet’s (http://www.peets.com/) I love their darker roasts. The worst is Seattle’s Best Coffee which is now owned by Starbucks. Starbucks, ironically, is the second worst coffee these days.

Happy sipping!

I’m a cold brew convert as well. More flavorful, less acidic. Though I’m lazy and buy cold brew concentrate from Trader Joe’s :)

I also use a reusable cup for my Keurig! I have the EkoBrew brand, it’s basically the same as yours, but they’re brown.

From the store, I prefer Caribou brand coffee. I’m a light roast gal, which actually has the most caffeine of any roasts. But what I love to do is go to my favorite local coffee shop, buy a bag of one of their blends, have them grind the beans for me. Park Avenue Coffee here in St. Louis has some great blends.

Oh do I know what you mean about coffee! I highly recommend a brand of coffee that I stumbled upon at TJMaxx and Homegoods… It’s called Joe. There are several flavors, including Vanilla and Hazelnut (it’s called “Joe’s Gal Hazel”), but my favorite is called “Tall, Dark, and Handsome.” I love the play on words and it’s so rich and delicious, give it a try if you ever find one in the food isle.

By the way, wonderful website, I love your design and writing style :)

~Catherine
Inspire Bohemia

I started drinking coffee in 2000 when I worked at an internet start-up that had its’ own café, how 2000 is that? My coffee taste has been forced into slow decline with moves from Seattle to NYC to Boston and then to NH-where Dunkin’ Donuts rules the land. I lost my appetite for anything but espresso after giving up caffeine for pregnancy and nursing. Unfortunately, post-nursing I started filling the caffeine requirement with diet soda (so hard to confess!). After a recent visit to my aunt in CA I discovered Nespresso and my machine arrived this week. I LOVE it. French press is great if you have time to shop for good beans, grind them, boil water, press the grinds, then let them brew…but that’s not a picture of my morning with a 21 month old. Pop in espresso pod, froth soy milk with the push of a button, grab toddler as she tries to climb from bench to kitchen table…Nespresso is perfect…and the diet cokes have been replaced!

Hey! So I’m not a coffee drinker at all, but ran across this post – http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/08/aeropress-brewing-101.html – and thought it might be helpful! :)

Thanks! I just saw they were running a coffee brewing series. So cool!

I’m obviously late to this party – but we have a Nespresso and it is crazy addictive. Ironically, we didn’t drink coffee during college. It wasn’t until we moved to Seattle when it was culturally enforced. :) I got used to lattes because of that so we swapped out our drip coffee maker for the Nespresso (and accompanying milk frother) about a year ago. It’s not cheap but better than buying a latte everyday. I was skeptical of the quality of the coffee since it’s owned by Nestle (and am still skeptical re: other things about that company) but the espresso really is good. You have to order it direct from them which is kinda weird – I always opt for the standard 2-day shipping and almost every time someone pulls up in a random car that day or the next with the delivery. I don’t ask any questions, I just drink the coffee. :)

Never ask questions when something arrives sooner than expected.

Yes!! I was just scrolling through to see if anyone had suggested aeropress :) I’m the only one in my house who drinks coffee and I HATE cleaning out my bodum french press (no garbage disposal – what to do with the moist boggy grounds?!) Aeropress is perfection. ‘Making’ the coffee is a bit more involved than a regular drip coffee maker or even a french press, but it has become a nice little ritual for me. And the clean up is super easy (unscrew the bottom and push the little dry puck of grounds straight into the trash). Agree that it makes cheap coffee taste good, but ohmygosh it makes good coffee taste amazing. Worth the extra few bucks, I think.

As a Seattleite, I can’t let you keep drinking Keurig. ;)

Get a Chemex and some Chemex filters (they’re really easy to use, promise!) Get a burr grinder (I love our Bodum one). Then order some beans from Slate Coffee (I suggest http://www.slatecoffee.com/collections/coffee-1/products/sidamo-ethiopia) in my neighborhood, and brew a cup or two at a time and I guarantee you will enjoy every sip, sans cream or sugar or anything else added in. I used to hate coffee, and then I could only drink it doctored up, and then I moved to Seattle three years ago and started trying lots of local bean roasters and this one’s my favorite. =) I hope you love it, too!

I am spoiled with quite a few amazing coffee roasters here in Milwaukee. Most people wouldn’t think of Milwaukee as a coffee hub, but I’ve had many friends visit that have been very impressed, or friends that move away that request I bring them coffee. Even my Seattle friends request Milwaukee coffee. My favorite is Anodyne https://anodynecoffee.com/ and it helps that the school where I teach 1-3 grade also partners up with them for fundraisers. I get to buy my coffee and my school earns money! I usually brew it in a French press because I like the convenience. I’ve also taught my students to use a French press to make coffee for classroom guests.

[…] I Drink Coffee Now. I loved this post for two reasons. 1) Everyone geeked out about coffee, and I love coffee. This summer, I’ve been making the cold brew coffee with almond syrup from How Sweet Eats. 2) Dana shared a following quote  from Anne-Marie Slaughter: “…I really believe that happiness is a collection of small, pleasurable experiences, like buying flowers or eating a square of chocolate. I try to have a few of these moments every day”. This is a sentiment that I’m trying to enact in my daily life. […]

Buy a real espresso maker and a grinder. The experience of making the coffee makes savouring it much sweeter. Keurig is cheating!

[…] you guys like coffee. Thanks so much for sharing your favorite brands and brewing methods. I’ve read each and […]

I absolutely love my french press! They make little ones, too, that will serve you well! They are so stinkin’ cute, too, and the taste of french pressed coffee is SO much better then Keurig. Honest!

Side Note: I bought your nightstand and west elm chair for my master bedroom and well, I love them both! Thank you for the fabulous design ideas, giving me motivation to stay in a small-er house and enjoy quality not quantity! :)

So happy you like the nightstand and chair! We’re still enjoying ours as well and have nothing but good things to say about both.

The saddle chair is super versatile. I know I photograph it in our bedroom but we often bring it out to the living room for more seating when we have guests. In fact, we did that just tonight! It seems to be more conducive to / more comfortable for older family members than our squatty sofa and Taylor chair. We even brought into the dining room / mudroom for extra seating tonight.

I didn’t see anyone else link to this.

http://www.clivecoffee.com/product/clive_stand.html

As far as looks go, I don’t think any electric coffee maker can compete with that. Personally, I have a large Chemex (for guests) and a single ceramic pour-over that sits on top of the coffee cup. Since we don’t make coffee every day, a coffee maker sitting on the counter, taking up space, growing gross filmy things inside (my imagination might be exaggerating a bit) just doesn’t make sense for us.

Also, don’t be intimidated by pour-over coffee. Like anything else in life, it’s only as difficult as you make it. Like when I finally realized that no one else is ever going to army crawl around our house looking for patched nail holes in the trim. . .

I just bought an aeropress for my boyfriend who, though only drinks the one cup in the morning, is a total coffee snob. He loves it!! And it is a million times easier to use than this article suggests. It comes with a scoop and measurements on the tube. You put in your scoops, you pour in the water you want up to the level marked on the side, give a little stir, press, and you have a perfect cup of coffee. I love how little space it takes up, how tiny (and reusable the filters are), and that it makes him so happy in the morning!

Wow, that Clive Stand is beautiful!

I’m known as a Starbucks snob…however I highly recommend that you try Callie’s Coffee. It is simply amazing and I’m hard to impress. They make K cups, whole or ground coffee. What’s even more amazing is that their profits go to childhood cancer research by being donated to Ben Towne Foundation. You simply order online and then you can even “subscribe” and have it come monthly to your home. It really is delicious and why not enjoy that cup of coffee knowing you also made a difference in childhood cancer research. http://www.choosecallies.com, http://www.bentownefoundation.org

I am surprised to see that Gevalia Coffee (French Roast) has not been mentioned? Maybe i’m the one missing something, but we’ve tried fancy-schmancy and this is solid quality for less than $6 a bag. It’s not organic, but i trust this company. For a coffee maker- I highly recommend taking a look at the DeLonghi Kmix Coffee Makers. No bells, whistles, or plastic- just a solid appliance that wont have a trendy outdated appearance. You can buy it small enough for an occasional cup and it doesn’t encroach on counter space. It’s worth the 2 minutes to take a glance. Also, when my husband and i were in central america, they steam the milk or cream before pouring the coffee. It changes the taste dramatically. you can easily heat it in the micro at the bottom of your mug while waiting for your coffee to brew. happy sipping

Just discovered cold brew this summer and am loving it! We tried the French press method and found it too cumbersome for daily use, so on the weekends I take a 1 gallon pitcher, add 1/2 lb freshly ground (on coarse setting) coffee, then fill with cold water. Let sit for 8-24 hours & strain thru cheesecloth to get a coffee concentrate. Pour over ice, then add milk or water to taste. Delicious, easy, cheap, no special equipment required, lower acidity than hot brew… Perfect for summers!

I love coffee, I’ll drink most anything. but my go to is: gevalia french roast, or 8 o’clock coffee french roast. Coffee press makes the best coffee, but that’s only for once in a while when I have the time. Otherwise, i have a coffee maker I don’t love, but it does the trick.