I’m going to start by admitting that I’m not much of a coffee drinker. I top out around 4 cups a month in the winter and often go weeks and weeks in the summer without drinking any. That being said, I thought it would be fun to try out Alton Brown’s coffee making technique. Who knows, maybe his techniques will turn me into a coffee drinker.

The Program

2 Cups Water
5 Heaping Tablespoons Coffee
1 Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 shot of Creme de Menthe (optional)

The Prep

Let’s talk hardware. I know, it’s a cup of coffee how much hardware do you need? Well, Alton’s requirements, not surprisingly, are a little different. First up, how to get from bean to grinds. Alton’s recommendation: a burr grinder. This device is super cool – even if it is a bit of a uni-tasker. It allows you to adjust the texture of the grind from a fine dust to big ol’ chunks. Alton recommends a medium grind for this particular application.

The second item you need is a french press. This is another great tool. You can use it for everything from coffee to mixing up a vinaigrette dressing. In this specific application, I love the use of the french press. I think this is how coffee was meant to be brewed. You get all of the coffee’s essential oils that not only add add great flavor, they make for a nice silky texture. All of this and it is super easy to use and very consistent.

The Process

This is the easy part. Take your grinds, salt and optional shot of Creme de Menthe and put them in the bottom of your press, add the boiling water and cover with the plunger, but don’t push it down just yet. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes then slowly push the plunger down. Pour and enjoy.

The Payoff

I’ll admit, I really loved this cup of coffee. I don’t think I’ll be making it every day, but it is nice to know that if the mood strikes me, I can make a good cup in about 7 minutes time.

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