If you're wanting to save little extra money on your morning coffee, one of the biggest cost-cutting measure you can take, is by making it at home.
At For Wellness, our premium coffee costs between $0.70-$1 per cup (depending on how much coffee you like to use), compared with $3-5 at your local coffee shop. If you consider that over the course of a year, you'd be spending $360 on coffee if you exclusively had a coffee a day at home, compared with up to $1825 if you had the same at your local coffee shop.
And that's not even taking into account the waste you could save if instead of 365 single use cups, you used the same trusty coffee mugs at home.
Of course, it can be hard to give up barista-made coffee. They are professionals at making the perfect brew.
However, we believe that with our coffee, this guide, and a little bit of practice, you could soon be on your way to saving money (and the environment) with a delicious at-home mug.
Let's begin!
French Press
If you love strong flavors in your coffee, then steeping with a French press is the method for you.
The good news is this coffee brewing method relatively cost effective; you can spend around $10 on a French press at your favorite online retailer. Don't let the French press intimidate you, it has an easy learning curve and works quickly. All you need to do is open it up and add your coffee grounds.
The next step is boiling your water with a kettle (we recommend using water that's as pure as possible) before pouring it over your grounds. Let the coffee grounds steep in the water for around three or four minutes. After that, you're ready for the fun part: pressing down on the filter.
Since the French press is a sizeable piece of equipment, you'll find it produces several cups of quality coffee. It's perfect for sharing with friends and family. Not only is it easy to brew and creates enough coffee for everyone in the household, but it also has a robust and textured flavor.
One thing to be mindful of: avoid steeping it for too long if you don't want coffee that's on the bitter side.
A minor drawback of this coffee brewing method is that it often pours with some level of texture. However, if you're happy to let your ground sink to the bottom of your mug and leave that last mouthful, you'll still get plenty of enjoyment from your coffee.
An Electric or Stovetop Percolator
Drip coffee brewing is another popular way to satisfy your coffee cravings. While there are several different coffee dripping techniques, using a percolator is one of the most common. The percolator itself can either be electric or designated for stovetops.
If you don't have a stovetop, then the electric one is something you can use as long as you have a reliable outlet. Stovetop percolators can also work over campfires if you're the adventurous type who likes spending time in the great outdoors.
No matter what type of percolator you have, they all operate similarly. It works by moving the boiling water through the coffee grounds in various cycles. Most people let the percolator brew the coffee for around ten minutes, but you can do it for less time if you prefer a weaker coffee taste.
It may take a little trial and error, but you can eventually find the right percolation time for the perfect flavor strength. Have fun experimenting with different coffee roast levels and brewing times!
Percolators are simple pieces of equipment that you can bring with you on camping trips or to work. Plus, depending on the size of your percolator, you can often get several cups from a single batch.
Pour-Over
One of the most elegant types of coffee makers is known as a pour-over. You'll notice that pour-overs can range from small to large, so be sure to opt for a size that fits your drinking needs. Most pour-overs are designed to pour coffee into your mug through a paper filter.
Unlike a percolator or other coffee brewing methods, with pour over coffee you can only make a single cup of coffee at a time.
What we love about the pour-over method though, is it's inexpensive and easy to master. Plus, making a single cup doesn't take too long, so you can make several within a reasonable amount of time.
When making the coffee, you should start by stacking the pour-over on top of your coffee mug. Don't forget to add a paper filter, or you'll have a mouthful of sediment. Next, put your coffee grounds on the filter before pouring the boiling water. Et voila! Coffee.
One con of this method is the necessity of buying paper filters regularly, and they're a vital element of the coffee making process. Plus, what many people don't realize is that the paper filter can impact the flavor of your coffee, depending on the brand you've chosen. This may mean you need to give a few brands a go before you settle on one that produces the best flavor.
An Espresso Machine
There's a wide range of pressure-based coffee brewing methods, so wide ranging we could do a whole additional blog post on the different brands and we'd still barely scratch the surface! Espresso machines can be fickle and (and on the expensive side), however, they are great for producing consistently high quality coffee with the press of a button.
Plus, if you consider how much you could save on buying coffee each day, these coffee machines can give you a high return on investment.
While each espresso machine will vary slightly, here's a rough overview of what to expect if you purchase one: after you put your coffee grounds into the portafilter, the espresso machine will push high-pressure hot water through the grounds. The fine grounds are packed tightly together to create a more concentrated flavor.
The exact automation technique of the espresso machine can vary from model to model. Either way, there's often some learning curve you'll need to overcome before you start pumping out delicious espresso shots.
Aside from the machine's high price tag, you must also clean it regularly. If you forgo this, the machine can end up breaking down.
Despite the high maintenance of this method, many people consider it worth it when they try the excellent espresso it produces.
A Handheld Coffee Maker
If you want an espresso-like cup of coffee but don't want to deal with an actual espresso machine, consider getting a handheld coffee maker instead. Rather than fiddling with a bunch of knobs and levers, the handheld coffee maker doesn't need much more than a push.
The general ingredients of this method involve hot water, coffee beans, and a type of paper filter similar to the ones needed for a pour-over. You'll be glad to know that there's a good deal of customizability that comes with a handheld coffee maker.
For instance, you can decide how long you want the coffee beans to steep before moving on to the next step. Feel free to experiment as much as you want to find a coffee taste that fits your tastebuds. While the method is less expensive than an espresso machine, you'll still need to buy the right equipment, including a generous stock of paper filters.
The handheld coffee maker is light years more portable than most equipment, so you can take it almost anywhere. The coffee experience from this method tends to be rich in flavor and feels smooth going down. Since it doesn't take long, you can make plenty of cups for everyone in your household or even at work.
Turkish Coffee
Turkey has mastered the boiling method of making coffee. This Middle Eastern method is known for its rich flavor and frothy texture. If you want to try it out for yourself, then be sure to get very fine coffee grounds.
You'll also need to invest in a cezve. This is a special type of pot that has a long handle. This is where you'll put both your very fine coffee grounds and some sugar.
Ensure you bring it to a boil and only remove it from the heat source after it becomes frothy. You're not finished yet, though; you need to repeat this process a few more times until the coffee gets even more frothy in texture.
The frothiness is a bit of an acquired taste. Whether you like it or not, there's no denying how unique it is compared to other types of coffee. The flavor profile tends to be strong and dark, so some people may find it overwhelming.
Despite the need for special equipment and lack of portability, you should try Turkish coffee at least once. You may fall head over heels in love with the flavor and texture.
Siphoned Coffee
If you're hosting friends or family members, you can impress them with a coffee siphon. It's worth emphasizing that using a siphon can become as complicated as the equipment looks. While there's a steeper learning curve than other coffee brewing methods, it's worth giving it a try and a test taste.
The device itself dates back to the middle of the 19th century in Germany, so this method has a good deal of historical and cultural importance.
For starters, make sure you use coffee grounds with medium coarseness. You'll need to put these in the upper container of the siphon.
The hot water goes into the bottom vessel. Once you remove the siphon from the heat source, the hot water gets vacuumed upward and saturates the coffee grounds. It's as fun to watch as you might imagine!
Avoid adding more than six tablespoons of ground coffee inside the device's upper vessel. You should also avoid brewing your coffee for longer than six minutes. Don't forget to replace the filters in the siphon regularly.
While the flavor profile of the coffee can depend on the type of beans you use, among other factors, it tends to be more delicate and a bit mellower compared to other coffee brewing methods.
The downsides of this method include the expense of the device and the filters, the difficulty involved in cleaning the device, and its lack of portability. Still, you'll enjoy how it makes several cups of coffee in one go.
Coffee Bags
Of all the coffee brewing techniques, the cheapest and most accessible is probably the coffee bag method. If you've ever had a cup of tea, you've probably steeped the water with a tea bag. This concept is similar to the coffee bag method.
To make it, all you'll need is hot water and a coffee cup. Place the coffee bag in the cup and pour the hot water in. After several minutes, the coffee bag should turn the plain hot water into a full cup of coffee.
While this is a quick and easy way to have coffee at home, a drawback is that coffee bags often lack the richness of other methods, and it can't be customized to your personal taste.
Cold Brew
You may be surprised that some people think the best way to brew coffee is without heat. Before you write off this method, you should try it for yourself because it can result in a strong flavor you might fall in love with. The major downside is that it can take a while to make, so don't opt for this method if you're in a hurry!
Instead, you could make it the night before you need your brew, so it's ready for you the next day.
To make cold brew, you'll need water that's around room temperature. You should add your coffee grounds to the water, but be sure they're coarse grounds instead of fine.
Once you've added the coffee grounds to the water, you can let them sit for a few hours or overnight. The longer you let the mixture brew, the stronger the flavor will become. Before you dive into your cup of cold joe, remember to strain out the grounds.
Some people like to throw in some ice for added texture and a refreshing experience in general, but that's optional. Aside from the strong flavor, you'll also notice a hint of sweetness. It's also low in acid content, so you'll find that this kind of cup isn't overpowering.
You may want to brew the coffee in a mason jar or another container. You'll also be glad to know that cold brew coffee doesn't require specialized equipment. As long as you can work around the time factor, this is an excellent option for you.
It's as easy as coffee bags but much tastier. The coolness also makes it a popular choice during hot summers.
Instant Coffee
Yet another quick and easy method for getting that necessary cup of joe in your life is by taking advantage of instant coffee. This involves starting with coffee in the form of crystals or powder.
Are you asking yourself, "Is it really instant?" The simple answer is yes. By stirring the coffee crystals or powder in a cup of hot water, you'll see how fast your cup of water turns into a cup of joe.
However, this isn't the perfect magic trick out there because the taste isn't as dynamic and luxurious as other methods. Instant coffee is better to have as an emergency option when you're in a hurry and have no time to do anything else.
Instead of something you'd get from a high-class barista, instant coffee is closer in taste to the kind of coffee you'd find in a vending machine outside a motel. Still, it depends on the brand you choose because some are much better than others.
If you want something fast but delicious, look no further than For Wellness coffee pods.
If you want to get the most out of every coffee-drinking experience no matter what brewing method you use, then be sure to stock up on the ground coffee offered by For Wellness. This brand keeps all the great things about coffee, such as a high number of antioxidants, and gets rid of the bad stuff. If you want a healthier cup of coffee, then be sure to add a dose of The Good Stuff while you're at it.
That way, you can reap anti-inflammation benefits, healthier skin, better joint health, and more.
Which Coffee Brewing Method Is Right for Me?
After learning about many different coffee-making methods, you may still be unsure what's right for you. The truth is that it depends on the amount of time you have, how strong you like your coffee, and other factors. This is why trying as many different cups of coffee as possible is a great place to start.
This will give you a clearer idea of what makes your tastebuds happy versus something that makes you pucker up because it's too bitter. It's also recommended that you have at least a couple of coffee brewing methods available at home. If you're running late to work, you can opt for the quicker method.
When you want to treat yourself or impress some house guests, you can choose the coffee brewing method that tastes the best, even though it requires a bit more finesse to make. One of the most significant factors that affect a cup of coffee's taste and healthfulness is the coffee beans themselves.
This is why you shouldn't settle for anything less than For Wellness' ground or whole-bean coffee. Not only does our formula taste like heaven, but it also comes jam-packed with health benefits, such as antioxidants.
Why drink coffee with unhealthy ingredients when you can choose For Wellness instead? Don't forget to recommend this option to the other coffee lovers in your life, too.
Are You Ready to Enjoy These Coffee Brewing Methods?
Now that you've learned about various coffee brewing methods with this in-depth guide, you can try each one. That way, you'll know for sure which method is your favorite. Be sure to invite your friends and family members over so they can try as well.
Nothing beats the fresh taste and nutritional value of For Wellness coffee. Instead of ingesting additives and other ingredients that can sabotage your health, you can stick to the best aspects of the coffee-drinking experience.
Feel free to look over our products and contact us with any questions you might have.
