The VERY Best Way To Make COFFEE!?

Oh boy... lots of questions.

Storage: If you don't go through the coffee quickly, then put the bag in a zip lock bag and keep it in the freezer. There are air tight cannisters that can be good too.

Coffee: I either grind the beans, a pot at a time at home, or grind them in the store. I try to buy organic beans if I can. If I use decaf, it DEFINITELY HAS to be organic. But when I use it, I make the mixture half decaf, and half caffeinated. I like to pick a flavored, and mix it with a nice dark decaf French Roast. Trader Joe's has a great selection of coffees, as does Whole foods. Many of the bigger grocery chains are carrying a selection of organic coffees (ground and beans) as well.

Machine: I use an automatic drip pot. To be honest, an auto-drip pot makes good coffee (with the right coffee being used), but generally it doesn't keep the coffee hot enough, nor does it even start out hot enough for that matter. I'd recommend an electric percolator for the pot. The auto drip is okay if you prefer it.

Cleaning: If autodrip, other than daily washing of the metal filter and the carafe, I'd clean the system (using white vinegar and water) about once a month. The elec. perc... the usual daily washing of the pot, and the parts.

Cup: hmmm.. I think that's a matter of preference. I prefer a mug myself. I like the feel of wrapping my hands around a hot mug of coffee... curled up in an overstuffed chair. Just something about that, that I can't explain.

Measurement: When the measurement on the pot shows 4 cups, it's more like 2 mugs/cups. So allow for that. On average, it's about 1 tablespoon of grounds per cup of coffee. I probably use a bit more as I like it a little richer. Lately, I've been grinding the beans in the market, but when I grind them at home, it's a pot's worth at a time, and a heaping tablespoon of beans per cup.

I think that about covers all you asked... and a little more. Enjoy your coffee!

French press coffee is the best--I find it has less of a sour taste then a lot of other methods (especially drip coffee). Buy whole beans and grind them fresh. And if you buy freshly roasted beans and grind them right there, oh man, that's the triumvirate of great coffee.

I totally agree with the poster above me, only i add a dash of salt to the grinds before the coffee starts perking!! It takes the bitterness out and if it has a statle taste, it removes the stale taste!!!

The very best way to make coffee is to let somebody else make it for you.