Some would argue that coffee is the lifeblood of the city. It gets us out of bed in the morning. It warms us up as we turn to face that brisk winter air. It even brings us a sense of rebirth as the clock inches past the thirteenth hour of the day despite the fact that we still have many hours of work ahead of us.
How do you like your coffee? Some like to keep it simple, perhaps accompanied by some cream or some sugar. Others may fancy something a bit more sophisticated like a cappuccino, a latte, or perhaps even a twenty-three word from the Starbucks on the corner. Personally, I drink it black.
However you take it, there are tools you can use to whip up your favorite pick-me-up right in your own home. These are some of my favorites.
Fully-Automatic Espresso Machines
If you’re adventurous with coffee and you like to drink it any way you can have it, you may just want to spring for a fully automatic espresso machine. They are the top-of-the-line when it comes to making professional quality coffee at home. From something as simple as a shot of espresso or a regular cup of ‘Joe (most likely referred to as an Americano) to the more complex drinks that you’d usually reserve for orders from the coffee house, these machines do it all. No grinding, milk steaming, required. Just feed it what it needs, press a button, and you’re good to go.
AeroPress
For the purists among us (not pointing any fingers, but you know who you are), one of the most practical ways to make a super aromatic cup of coffee without all of the bells and whistles is to use an Aeropress. It’s a simple system that yields surprisingly good results, but it’s really only designed for making a single cup at a time. If that doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for an affordable way to get the best, unadulterated brew from your beans then this is the way to go.
Chemex
While we’re on the topic of purity, a Chemex is a great way to brew up a batch that’s made for more than one serving at a time. It’s a great way to get the full richness of your beans, and it takes a few minutes for the extraction so you can whip up some frothed milk on the side if you’d like. Mix the two hot liquids together for a round of lattes, and you’re sure to have a crowd-pleaser on your hands.
Percolator
If you’re a simpleton and you just want a reliable cup of coffee from a reliable coffee maker that will work day in and day out, then just get yourself a stainless steel percolator. Our grandparents had it right, why overcomplicate it? They are easy to clean, easy to use, and about as affordable as it gets. They keep the coffee hot as your power through your workday. Better yet, there are no consumables aside from the coffee beans. What more could you ask for?
I’m sorry to say that I just don’t fancy myself a Keurig. You can make a far better cup of coffee in so many ways. When it comes to something so important in life like coffee, I just don’t see the point in cutting corners.