The Perfect Cup of Coffee
I adore coffee. It is my favorite thing to drink, period. I am in constant search for the best cup on the planet, but this is difficult – there is a lot of really bad coffee out there, in my humble opinion. Coffee is my vice, my elixir of choice, my nectar of the gods. Hot, bold, and served in its natural state – dark-roasted with no added creamer or sweetener. Ahh….
I have been a Starbucks aficionado for many years, but I really prefer to grind the beans myself and brew it at home rather than take a chance on disappointment. Unless, of course, the Starbucks I am visiting has a Clover brewing machine…then the choice is easy! An extra large, half-caff espresso roast, please!
Anyway, back to the delicious coffee! Here is my recipe for perfection in a (large) cup!
Ingredients/Equipment
- Fresh coffee beans (I am using Starbucks decaf Espresso and full-caf Sumatra right now)
- Coffee grinder
- Filtered water
- 10 cup French press coffee maker
- Tea kettle
Method
I drink half-caf coffee – fewer heart palpitations. (It has been reported to me that I am more – relaxed – with half-caff coffee. I may be a little over-zealous driving my car after drinking high-test.)
I drink one French press pot each morning. The whole thing. Myself. Too much you say? I disagree.
Here we go…
- Measure out ½ cup each of decaf/full-caf beans of your choice
- Place ½ cup of beans in grinder, and grind to the count of 6
- Dump this in the French press
- Repeat with second ½ cup of beans (the beans should be rough ground – not too fine)
- Dump in French press
- Bring filtered water to a boil in kettle; remove from heat and wait 20 seconds
- Fill French press to 2 inches from the top
- Wait 1 minute – this allows the beans to bloom
- Stir the mixture thoroughly
- Fit the plunger top on the coffee press without having the screen touch the mixture
- Wait 3 minutes
- Push the plunger down to the bottom of the press
- Pour in your favorite cup and enjoy!
You can share this delicious infusion with others if you choose to – I rarely do – or splurge and drink the whole thing yourself!
* I have not been compensated in any way for my discussion of Starbucks coffee…although I should be, don’t you think?! I may be their biggest fan!