By Richard Scott

Despite the fact that having a coffee machine is no longer a luxury, some people still make coffee manually.

Moreover, alternative methods of brewing are enjoying a renaissance nowadays.

And I really like how it’s going.

In this article, I have selected for you the two most popular methods of brewing coffee without a coffee maker, both of which will allow you to enjoy a full-bodied and rich beverage.

So, let’s do it!

Get the Right Beans

First, remember that good coffee starts with good beans.

I know at least three ways how you can find them:

• Grocery store

The easiest and most obvious way is to go to the nearest supermarket and grab the first package of coffee beans that will catch your eye. Just make sure that they haven’t been lying on the shelf for more than 6 months.

These coffee beans, of course, will not have many facets of taste and aroma. However, if you don’t have a sophisticated palate, this will work quite well.

Proper storage of coffee beans can also do you a favor. Use an airtight container (seriously, do not store them in the package in which you bought them) and put it in a dark, cool place.

• Local coffee shop

This is a more advanced option.

Some coffee shops may prepare their own roasts and blends for sale right on the spot. This is perfect if you want to get the freshest coffee beans.

“The peak of the coffee flavor is reached in the first 15-30 days after roasting. After that, the beans start becoming ‘stale’ — they can still be used, but the taste and aroma will be less pronounced.”

• Coffee subscription services

This is my personal favorite. If you are tired of drinking bland coffee from the supermarket but do not have a couple of coffee shops around the corner, then subscriptions might be your choice.

People who work there usually have extensive experience in making coffee. They select blends and species on their own and then deliver them to you on a monthly basis (or even weekly, if you wish).

A significant advantage of coffee subscriptions is that you can try a lot of coffee species — including exclusive ones — at an affordable price. It’s like traveling around the world but not leaving your kitchen, you know.

Fresh Grind Means a Lot

Now, grinding is another important point in coffee making.

Ideally, no matter which brewing method you choose, you should grind a small portion of coffee — as much as you need right now — straight before brewing.

The thing is:

Ground coffee very quickly begins to lose its precious oils, because it contacts with air.

Therefore, if you do not want to drink a dull, watery beverage, it is better to do the grinding yourself.

Burr grinders are the best if you ask me.

They allow you to control the grind but most importantly, they make it uniform. And uniform coffee bits mean a balanced drink.

2 Ways to Improvise If You Don’t Have a Coffee Maker

So, we’ve figured out where to get good coffee beans and how to grind them the best way.

Let’s start our improvisation lessons.

#1 Faux French Press

I actually found this recipe at Coffeegeeklab and still use it occasionally.

So, we love French press coffee for the fact that it has an incredibly rich and flavorful taste. This is because the plunger of the press squeezes all the cool coffee oils directly into our cup.

But what if you do not have this device?

Keep calm.

You can easily make a “faux French press” coffee if you have this stuff:

• 2 jars (you can use mason jars or just large mugs);
• fine metal sieve;
• timer;
• heated water;
• coffee.

“A coarse grind is preferable, as it will be easier to filter it through a sieve.”

How to brew a coffee this way:

• Put ground coffee into a jar. I recommend keeping the proportion of 60 grams of coffee per one liter of water (that is, if you have a 500ml travel mug, take 30 grams).
• Pour the hot water on your coffee. It should not be boiling, about 200-205°F. Just set the kettle aside for a couple of minutes after it boils, and you’re good to go.

• Set the timer for 4-5 minutes to let the water extract the oils.
• After the time is up, give your coffee a good stir and strain it through the sieve.

And that’s it!

Remember that regular kitchen sieves can often skip some coffee bits. Therefore, if you want an Instagram-worthy result, let the coffee rest for a while until all the particles settle to the bottom. After that, carefully pour it into another mug.

#2 Makeshift Filter Coffee

This method is very much — but not completely — similar to the previous one.

It allows you to get a drink with a more delicate and subtle taste. I personally prefer to drink this type of coffee on summer mornings.

Very refreshing!

So, for this method, you will need:

• 2 jars or cups;
• stirring utensil;
• cloth napkin or towel;
• clips for paper or clothespins;
• coffee;
• timer;
• water.

Here you can use both coarse and medium grinds, as long as the particles are homogeneous.

So, let’s brew!

• As in the faux French press method, put the coffee into a jar and fill the jar with water. Let it brew for 3-5 minutes.
• While the coffee is infusing, turn the second jar into a filter. To do this, take a towel or a napkin and cover the jar with it, making a small dimple in the center. Then, attach the napkin to the rim with clothespins or paper clips.
• After the coffee is brewed, stir it well.
• Now, pour the brew into the second jar. Remove the filter

Enjoy!

The advantage of a fabric filter is that it can trap more particles than a metal strainer — as a result, you will get a more transparent brew. However, along with coffee bits, some of the coffee oils will get trapped into the napkin too, so the taste of the finished drink may be less sharp.

Phew, now I can be sure that if your coffee maker breaks down, or if you come over to a friend who does not have any coffee making device, you will not suffer without your energy potion in the morning.