For the girls trying to save some money — or getting started in a gratifying new hobby — at-home coffee is exciting. It’s trial-and-error, smells fantastic, tailored to your tastes, and is somewhat scientific: coffee has something for everyone! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the different coffee makers available—and how to get into coffee, more generally — we’ve got you covered.
Don't worry if you’re totally intimidated by the coffee realm! Here are some of the basics to help get you acquainted:
One, coffee is not the same as espresso. Espresso is produced in a pressurized brew, while regular coffee is brewed with heated water and gravity. Espresso is a concentrated, intensely flavorful shot; coffee can be made in any amount and with any ratio of coffee grounds to water. Espresso is typically stronger, so if you need a really strong wake me up, its best to use espresso shots for drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.
Second, contrary to popular belief, coffee can actually be stronger than espresso in some cases. Although espresso has a higher caffeine concentration per ounce, a serving of coffee is stronger in the long run since you would drink more ounces of coffee than espresso shots in your drink.
Third, lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and other specialty drinks are all created with espresso. Americanos typically have the highest concentration of espresso shots, with three espresso shots added to hot water for a medium size. Lattes and cappucinos only have two and are usually mixed with milk.
Ease of access coffee machines, popularized in recent years, uses disposable pods to brew coffee. This means you don’t have to buy beans, grounds, filters, or any other accessories usually associated with other machines. As a plus, machines like Keurig and Ninja can brew iced or hot coffee, meaning you don’t need different machines (or watered down hot coffee) in order to enjoy both. These easy access machines can be as simple or extravagant as you’d like: prices range from ~$60 to $500+, with some generations able to connect to Wi-Fi.
Another bonus plus if you decided to go for the Keurig: if you’re turned off by disposable pods — i.e., you want something more cost effective or sustainable — Keurig offers a reusable K-cup, which acts like a traditional coffee filter for grounds. After each use, you can wash out the K-cup — you’ll just need to supply the coffee.
On-the-go coffee makers are some of out favorite at-home coffee makers: they're hands on, have a personal touch and require a bit of dirty work. We personally enjoy the process — the toying, tinkering, burning, perfecting. Moka pots are the most popular on-the-go machines. They produce a few ounces of concentrated coffee, akin to a hefty shot of espresso. They’re popular in Europe and Latin America, as they don’t require a lot of time or money.
Moka Pots require a kettle, a stovetop, coffee grounds, and patience. After unscrewing the different parts, you’re going to fill up the bottom compartment with near-boiling water. Then, you’ll add the filter — the funnel-shaped part — and fill that with a healthy amount of grounds. Then, screw the top part on and set it on the stove-top, where you’ll keep it at a steady, low temperature. Once you hear a gurgling noise, your coffee is ready!
Like a cast-iron pan, Moka pots produce better results with more use — plus, you’ll get better at gauging when the brew hits its sweet spot. It’s a win-win: you get to practice your coffee-making skills while enhancing the taste of your brew.
Just like the one in your parents’ kitchen: ol’ reliable. She’s easy to use, transportable and old school.
You can purchase one of these second-hand or at most retail or general merchandise stores, with most basic options hovering around $10-$20. Of course, more lavish options exist that supposedly enhance your morning brew; however, the difference is negligible for beginners. You’re going to need coffee grounds and filters that are specific to your machine; besides that, you probably know how to operate and what to expect from traditional coffee makers.
Outside of the Moka pot, we love making our own espresso with our espresso machines. There are several different types of espresso machines and associated accessories, with prices on the higher end in the several thousands. If you’re more particular about the taste of your coffee and enjoy steamed milk drinks, like cappuccinos or lattes, you should consider an espresso machine.
Like we’d covered earlier, espresso isn’t the same as coffee, and espresso machines only brew espresso shots. So, if you’re looking for a traditional cup o’ joe, you might want to opt for a different machine, like the French Press or Keurig. Espresso machines are complicated, and are associated with a bit of a learning curve. While we can’t cover everything you’ll need to know here, so you can check out this NYTimes article or Whole Latte Love’s how-to videos.
