I have a love/hate relationship with coffee. I’ve tried to quit plenty of times and somehow find myself coming back to it over and over again. I’ve even declared via blog posts how I was going to quit for good and once again, found my way back.
While drinking too much coffee certainly causes issues with my hormones, I’ve found that taking some preventative measures such as limiting my caffeine consumption to a certain window of time in the day and then following up with lots of water and even dome dandelion tea to help in liver support really makes a difference in the long run. This allows me to enjoy my cup of Joe with minimal issues.
With that said, through a little trial and error, I’ve been able to narrow down my at home coffee making routine down to an affordable, energy efficient albeit aesthetically pleasing routine that just just happens to be pretty zero waste. All of this happened by accident because I was only looking for a way to have great tasting coffee after dropping the coffee machine my mother bought for my house on the floor (smacks face). I’ve also vowed off of K Cups because they are pretty costly in the long run.
My current routine includes:
A Stainless Steel French Press
A Manual Burr Style Coffee Grinder
Whole Bean Coffee of Choice
and
Reusable Coffee Cups of Choice
What’s The Big Deal About A Stainless Steel French Press for Coffee Anyway?
Let’s Be Honest. French Presses look pretty damn cool and fancy.
However, there is more than just looks that make this coffee brewer appealing. It’s said that it’s method of having the water directly in contact with the coffee grounds make for a bolder coffee. With other coffee makers, a paper filter is necessary which can soak up flavor and oils from the beans.
Now, this could not even make a difference to some. But to others it is a game changer.
Personally, I was looking for a more economical way to brew coffee at home. So I wanted to ditch the constant purchasing of small K cups and filters. Thus, a french press became the only other option.
Lastly, a french press requires a one time investment. Unless the french press breaks or loses a piece, there is really no reason to have to purchase any other accessory or part to get your java fix at home.
Why A Manual Coffee Grinder Though?
I wish there was a better reason, but I only stumbled upon a manual grinder because it fit my specifications and price point.
When I started this journey for better coffee at home, I realized I would have to do like they did in coffee shops and grind my own coffee beans right before making my cup of coffee. That’s the best way to ensure high quality flavor and freshness.
But when I started looking for coffee grinders, the price range on them varied wildly. Plus, research showed me the type of grinder and the way it ground the beans also made for better cups of coffee. Based on this I opted for a Burr style grinder because it’s made to grind the beans evenly. Years ago I had purchased a blade grinder and the flavor was no better than store bought beans even when I ground them seconds before brewing.
This grinder came on my radar during a late night Amazon browsing session and I decided to give it a try. The thought of a manual grinder was a bit off putting, but hey, I had to fit my arm exercises in somewhere.
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And What About The Coffee Beans?
Nowadays it’s pretty easy to find whole coffee beans in any store. They sell them in cans, bags, or by the bulk depending on where you go. I often purchase them from my local health food store or Whole Foods because I can get smaller portions of organic whole beans that I can try before investing in larger container’s worth. While the price per pound can be a bit scary starting anywhere from $11 and up, but I very rarely purchase an entire pound worth at one time.
Normally, I purchase about half a pound of whole organic beans because it can ensure I have fresh beans that I will actually use. If I purchase too much, it could be sitting on the shelf for too long and possibly start to lose flavor. I even use organic decaf as well from this company.
The half a pound that I purchase in bulk yields me about a cup a day for a week. That is just for me. So the $5-$6 I spent on coffee beans is extremely budget friendly.
This setup may sound like it’s odd, but honestly it was easy to get used to. There’s no purchasing of filters which means no waking up and realizing you have no filter to make the cup of coffee you so desperately need to be a functioning human. There’s no small plastic cups involved so you’re helping the environment and saving money as well. Plus, you’re getting a bit of exercise during the 5 minutes it takes to grind the coffee beans. It’s a win all around.
If you want to take it a step further, you could easily use the coffee grounds as a body scrub during your shower. It’s said the caffeine could help temporarily improve the look of cellulite and encourage smoother skin.
Let me know below what your current coffee routine is and if you’ve ever used a French Press.
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