Do-it-yourself coffee brewing is a skill I believe every coffee enthusiast should learn. If you’re willing to spend unjustifiable amounts of money, torture your body and ultimately devolve into a hopeless caffeine fiend, then you might as well do so in the best way possible, right? 

This begs the question: What makes a good cup of coffee? Some might say a grande, half caramel, half vanilla latte with nonfat milk and caramel drizzle on top from Starbucks. Others prefer a good old cup of boiling water with instant powder. These are valid options, yes, but what if I told you that there’s a cheaper and tastier route to acquire your daily caffeine fix?

Embarking on your coffee making journey may sound daunting as there truly are endless options for the types of coffee you can make. French press? Moka pot? AeroPress? Espresso machine? Siphon coffee?  Not to mention the varieties of coffee beans you can purchase. But don’t fret, the Clog is  here to simplify the whole process. 

Off the bat, as a beginner, you should start off with pour-over coffees and a French press. Both of these methods simply involve pouring boiling water from your pot onto the coffee grounds (although the French press has a few extra steps). They are intuitive, affordable and have the potential to produce smooth and subtle coffee without the unwanted acidity and bitterness. 

Did I mention that they’re also fun? Sure, it’s convenient to wake up in the morning and pop a K-Cup in your Keurig, but where’s the intrigue of the art of coffee brewing? Using a French press or pour-over coffee maker allows you an opportunity to practice mindfulness in the morning by focusing on the simple task of brewing your own cup of coffee. Such a task mingled with the caffeine from the coffee can make for a good way to wake yourself up when it’s early — and who doesn’t like the smell of a freshly brewed cup of joe? However, I will refer you to YouTube for proper brewing methods to avoid any confusion.

Next up is the question of what coffee to buy. It’s simple: If you like strong and deep notes, opt for a dark to medium roast. If you prefer a lighter flavor, then you may want to stick to lighter roasts. Don’t worry about grinding your own coffee for now; buy some of the pre-ground, store-bought stuff. Though it can’t beat the taste from grinding your own coffee beans, there are still many tasty options out there for you to peruse until you progress your way into being able to grind your own beans.  

As you start your coffee making journey, remember to enjoy the process — and take it slow. Just like with any new project or hobby, expect initial failure, learn from it and try to have some fun along the way. For now, add some milk or creamer and a drizzle of caramel to your cup of coffee and reserve time in the future to smooth out the finer details of the coffee making craft. Good luck, and enjoy!