A Cup Divine

French Press

Have it: Grinder, timer, French press, spoon
Grind your coffee fairly coarse (think raw sugar versus sand) to allow for slower extraction, which translates to fuller-bodied, more flavorful coffee.
Add one tablespoon of coffee for every four to five ounces of water.
Bring the water to a boil and let it sit for 45 to 60 seconds (the ideal temperature is 205 degrees Fahrenheit).
Pour the water into the French press aggressively. A namby-pamby approach won’t ensure that all the grounds get saturated.
A crust will bloom up after a few seconds. Once it does, set your timer for four minutes.
After one minute, break the crust and stir the grounds to ensure even extraction.
At four minutes, slowly press the plunger down and immediately pour the coffee into your mug.
Pour the remaining coffee into a thermal carafe if you plan to drink it; it will become bitter if you leave it in the bottom of the press.

Vacuum Pot (electric)

Have it: Grinder, vacuum pot, spoon
Add the desired amount of water to the bottom portion of the vacuum pot.
Grind your coffee as coarse as possible.
Add coffee to the top half of the vacuum pot (one tablespoon for every four to five ounces of water).
Hit the power button.
Before the water starts to boil, attach the top portion of the pot, but leave the lid off.
Once there is enough water in the top to saturate the grounds, stir the coffee, then close the lid.
When all the water is in the top half, the heat source will automatically turn off, and the coffee will begin to drip back through the metal screen to the bottom half as the brewer cools.
When all the coffee is in the bottom, remove the top half, which contains the grounds.
Pour the coffee into preheated mugs.

Moka Pot

Have it: Grinder, moka pot
Grind your coffee medium-fine, about the consistency of beach sand.
Fill the bottom of the moka pot with water (either hot or cold) and insert the filter basket.
Overfill the filter basket, and makes sure the coffee is spread evenly throughout.
Screw the top onto the brewer.
Place the brewer on moderate heat, leaving the lid open.
Wait, watch and listen: The coffee will gurgle just before you see a steady stream of coffee start to fill the top. When the top is nearly full, take the brewer off the stove and close the lid.
Wait a few moments until there is no more coffee streaming into the top.
Serve. Don’t leave excess coffee in the brewer unless you like metallic-tasting coffee. Opt instead for a thermal carafe.