Built From Scratch

Most of you already know that I’m not a creature of convenience. When given the option to do a task the easy way or the hard way, I’ll usually choose the latter. If it’ll save a few dollars (or hell, a few nickels), I’ll choose cheap over practical. I’m the kind of guy who is willing to do things by himself whenever possible, even if it means having to put in a lot more time than if I had help. I guess you could call me a caveman.

My most recent step on the path towards inefficiency is brewing coffee. I have a fancy Cuisinart coffee maker that can be programmed to do anything I need, but over the last few months, I’ve hardly plugged it in. I started reading about easy ways to make coffee without a machine, so I gave it a try. As of yesterday, I think I finally perfected it.

To make it, you start by heating water in a small pot. You then put a coffee filter in a strainer, measure out the coffee grounds (the norm is about two tablespoons per six ounce cup), and dump them onto the filter. After that, you pour the hot water over the beans (I use a ladle for this) and let it drip through the strainer into a cup or bowl.

Presto, coffee.

Coffee is a very simple drink: it’s hot water poured over ground, roasted beans. But the details of making it well are tricky. The water isn’t supposed to boil, but it should get close. The coffee beans should be ground and brewed within a small window to get the best flavor. Measuring out the right amount of grounds per cup to fit your likings takes time. And espresso is a whole different topic. I’m still figuring out some of that stuff, but I think I’ve mastered the basics.

Right off the bat, I know this process won’t appeal to a lot of people. For one, if it doesn’t have whipped cream, steamed milk and flavored syrup ala Starbucks, most folks don’t want it. Second, for people who are short on time in the morning and drink coffee on the go, this would seem tedious (although I assure you it’s very quick). Another downside is that it’s harder to make large quantities of coffee. And of course, most people would rather pay for it or have a machine do the work.

But for me, a single guy who doesn’t mind wasted time and effort and enjoys the occasional afternoon cup, the process works.

Sooo... anybody need a coffee maker?

Question: Have any of you brewed coffee without a coffee maker? How’d it turn out? Got any useful tips for me?


Currently in Rotation: The Veronicas – “Untouched”

From the album Hook Me Up