There are some folks who want you to believe that making a good cup of coffee requires advanced degrees in both physics and chemistry. Not True! Anyone can do better than just a cup of instant coffee. With just a few pieces of fairly inexpensive equipment, you can learn to make your own, really good, cup of home-brewed coffee in less than 5 minutes. You will need four pieces of equipment to make your home brew.

1. A kettle to boil water

Boiling water with an electric kettle is a much better option than using a kettle on the stove top. An electric kettle has an automatic shut off, after the water comes to a boil. So you never have to make a mad dash to get to that screeching kettle.

Prices of an electric kettle can range anywhere from $15.00 to over $100.00. Shop around for the one that fits your budget.

2. Timer

I like the digital ones that screech at you!

3. A Coffee scoop

This measures 1/8 cup or 2 Tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water. (In this case, as always in cooking, a “cup” is an official measure, not just any old cup!)

4. French Press

There are two pieces to this coffee maker: the glass carafe and the plunger lid. They come in many different sizes, some even with insulated pots.

They too are available in a huge price range depending on how simple or really fancy you want your coffee pot to be. This one costs less than $10. You can pay as much as $60.00 for a really fancy one that is this size!

Buy a package of your favorite ground coffee, preferably “regular or course grind”. Coffee connoisseurs swear that, for a good cup of coffee, you must grind your own beans right before you use them. Maybe, someday – but for now, just buy the ground coffee in your favorite flavor. (I do!)

Here we go!

Step # 1

I use 2 scoops of grounds with my French Press, but you need to experiment a little to figure out how strong you like your coffee.

Step #2

Pour in water that is just off the boil, in other words the kettle has boiled and has been turned off for a few seconds.

Step #3

Stir the coffee with a plastic or wooden spoon (or even a chop stick!) to make sure all the coffee grounds are steeping. (Steep means is let the grounds soak in the water.) Never use a metal spoon to stir the coffee grounds or you may shatter the glass.

Step #4

Put the plunger (also known as the lid) on and press ever so slightly to make sure all the grounds are wet.

Let it steep for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Step #5

Be sure to hold the carafe by the handle then, gently press down the coffee grounds to the bottom of the carafe.

If you press the grounds with too much force, scalding water may shoot out of the spout.

Then just pour into a coffee cup, add cream and sugar to your taste and I’m sure you’ll discover that the preparation time was worth it.

Enjoy!

French Press Coffee Ingredients:

• 1/8 cup or 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water

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