Coffee Brewing to Match My Lifestyle

I am a devout lover of great coffee.  I must admit that in years past I did partake of the mass-produced coffee at the local donut shop.  But, as the years passed and my tastes became more refined, I can now safely say that the only coffee that passes through my lips is robust, flavorful, top notch java that is brewed with care.  Drinking good coffee is a simple pleasure that I don’t take lightly.  In years past, I may have simply consumed coffee for the caffeine and not necessarily the taste.  Not so any longer!  I buy and brew the coffee that I enjoy and won’t settle for anything less.

My brewing methods vary depending on my location and circumstances.  Years ago, I requested a recommendation from Mike Crimmins, the one and only owner of this tremendous coffee blog, for a high quality single cup coffee maker that I could use in my office cubicle at work.  He suggested a Black and Decker Brew N’ Go and I have owned this one cup drip model for about two and a half years now and it has served me well.  I leave my house early each morning so I don’t brew coffee at home unless it is on the weekends.

At the time Mike recommended this model, I had grown tired of the inferior coffee that was offered free at work.  Even though it was no cost to me, I didn’t really care.  I wanted to brew the coffee that I preferred and this one cup model is perfect for my picky needs.  So, for the past two and a half years, a single cup coffee maker that cost me around $20 (it’s still about the same price) at that time has produced excellent coffee each work day.  I’m not a big fan of the K-cup coffee makers because they don’t give me the variability that I want in a coffee maker and I don’t love the coffee it brews.  I like to add more coffee if I need a boost and I also want to brew the type of coffee to which I have become accustomed.  With a Keurig model you are limited to their coffee types and the amount that comes in the K-cup.  It just doesn’t work for my lifestyle.

At home, since there is a need to brew multiple cups, we purchased a Cuisinart 10-cup model.  We love it for brewing multiple cups of coffee and it also has served us well over the years.  At home, we also have started to utilize a brewing method called pour over coffee over the past year.  It is the perfect option if you are the only one at home and don’t want to brew a pot of coffee.  The method is very simple.  You will need to buy a ceramic or plastic cone/funnel which is the basic apparatus needed to brew a single cup of pour over coffee.  We bought a Hario ceramic cone and my daughter purchased a cheaper Melitta plastic model.  I would say that the Melitta is a better value because it is cheaper, won’t break if you drop it, and you can actually view the coffee draining into your mug which will prevent you from accidentally overfilling it.

You first place a paper filter in the cone, add your desired amount of ground coffee, and then simply place it on top of your coffee mug of choice.  Heat up some water to a boil and let it cool for approximately 30 seconds.  Then pour the hot water over your coffee grounds and the fresh coffee will drip into the mug below through a small hole at the bottom of the cone.  In about a minute, the coffee will fill your mug and you’ll be ready for a hand-crafted cup of Joe.  This is a great way to brew great coffee if you are camping, on vacation, or in a hotel as long as you have access to a heat source such as a campfire or a microwave.

As you can see, coffee plays an important role in my life.  Whether you’re at work, at home, or on vacation, there is no reason to settle for subpar coffee.  Explore the many different coffee brewing options available to match your own lifestyle and find a solution to fully satisfy your own caffeinated needs!

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Bob Bessette is a coffee lover and owner of the blog called Totally Unique Life which deals with Practical Solutions, Tips, and Advice for your Life.

Photo by Theen …