Hi, this sounds like a dumb question, but how should I “get into” coffee? Most of the time, I just use a Keurig and whatever pods I find at Costco. I know there’s an entire world out there of people who know exactly what they’re doing, but it’s all quite confusing.
If I’m typically only ever making coffee for myself, what should my brewing method be? Nespresso? Pour-over? French press?
And should I be looking to try everything black, or are lattes and whatnot a good way to learn what my tastes are?
In my opinion the cheapest, simplest way to experience a significant jump in quality from what you’re currently doing is to buy an Aeropress.
You can get one new for only $30-40, and after trying a few times you’ll likely be blown away by how much better the coffee it produces is than what you’ve grown accustomed to with the Keurig.
An electric kettle is another good purchase to go along with your Aeropress, and it generally comes in handy for plenty of other uses too.
If you start getting into making better coffee at home with the Aeropress, then the next step on your journey would be to invest in a grinder and make the switch to whole beans. That’s really the last thing you’ll need if you’re trying to max out coffee quality at home.
As for drinking it black, that’s totally up to you. Personally I like a little cream and sugar in my coffee, and I’m probably seen as a coffee snob by my friends. Don’t let anyone tell you that black is the preferred way to drink coffee. It’s all preference, and I like the heavier body that cream/milk gives the brew.
If you end up taking any of this advice, then here’s my go-to recipe for the best Aeropress coffee:
I hope that helps. Just be warned… Once you go down this path, you’ll likely no longer be able to tolerate K-Cup coffee.