The standard automatic coffee maker can give you a decent cup of coffee with a decent bean and a clean filter. But there are many other ways to get your cup of joe that make the process a bit of a ritual and bring out the flavor of the bean.
Taking the Plunge with the French Press
The French Press method involves using a glass pitcher with a mesh filter attached to a plunger type lid. Course grind your roasted beans and place them in the bottom of the French Press container. Then pour hot, just under boiling water, to fill the pitcher. Place your lid on top with the plunger handle fully extended where the mesh filter seats atop of the coffee grounds. Set a timer for 4 minutes and after the timer goes off, push the plunger down to the bottom of the pitcher. Pour and enjoy your fresh cup of coffee.
Perfecting the Pour Over Method
Another way to give some ceremony to preparing your coffee is the pour over. This may look like a simple method, but there really is a bit of science to it. First, you need to have a pour over filter holder that is easy to find on today's market. Next grinding your beans is a bit of an art. Too small and you will be drinking the grinds and too coarse and you will get the water just passing over your beans. This may take a couple of tries. Next, your water temp is pretty crucial. As with the French-press, you want just under boiling water. You will want to rinse the paper filter in hot water quickly before placing it in your pour over filter holder which you place on top of your mug. Now put your grounds into the filter and pour just enough water to get the grounds wet and let it stand for about 30 seconds. This step allows the beans to "bloom." Bloom is where the CO2 is released from the beans and keeps the taste optimal. Now slowly pour the rest of your water over the grounds and let your mug be filled with a hand-poured pour-over cup of coffee. The pour-over method is time-consuming but for those of you who savor your coffee drinking experience, this process may be the best part of your day.
Next time you want to enjoy coffee consider branching out and trying one or both of the above methods.
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