On making fast, good, cheap coffee: The hybrid cowboy-press pot method 2

Fast, Good Cheap: Choose 2:

So, there’s a saying in project management: You can have something “Fast, Good or Cheap — Choose Two” – (The Fast, Good and Cheap Pricing Method | FreelanceFolder at But in this case, I’m going to show you how this does not have to apply to making coffee.

The problems:

So I love my press pot. But I don’t like how long it takes. I do not always have 6 minutes to boil water, then an extra steeping time of 4-10 minutes.  I want it fast.

I love expensive coffee, like from Starbucks, but I do not like the price per pound. Cheap coffee in a cheap process though tastes cheap. I want it cheap, but not cheap tasting.

I like good coffee. But I was under the impression that the coffee itself made all the difference. The fact is, for me, you can extract all the rich oils and pseudo crema that you expect from expensive coffee from cheaper coffee if you do it this way.

The solution:

I could solve all of these by spending more money for better coffee, extending the time of the process by grinding my own beans, and getting a great cuppa. But I’d rather do this:

Fill your press pot to the fill line, and dump the water in a pan. Measure out your coffee and add it to the pan. Turn the heat on high and cover. My pot takes exactly 6 minutes to boil. Stir the coffee gently 2 or 3 times as it boils.

When it starts to bubble, immediately add it to the press pot, and press immediately. Enjoy.

Outcomes:

It’s fast: Old process: 10-14 minutes. This method: 6 minutes.

It’s cheap: I use off the shelf store brand coffee from the big can, and I don’t miss Starbucks until the brew gets cold, and then it is sort of obvious I’m using cheap coffee. life is too short for cold coffee, though.

It’s good: I think it’s a delicious cuppa. Try it, fellow coffee snobs, and let me know where I messed up your brew!

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