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A coffee lover, setting out to make the best
possible coffee, or at least a very enjoyable cup of coffee, should
ponder several things before investing in any equipment. He or she must
first consider which type of coffee is the preferred taste. It can be
anything from the rich flavor of espresso or a mellow, high-grown
arabica blend, whose acidity is softened by a touch of cream. Perhaps a
full-bodied cup, providing pleasure in both taste and stimulation, is
what is required. It is important to have the freedom to experiment with
all sorts of blends and roasts.
Second, the time of day and how the choice of coffee is brewed needs to
be taken into account. At breakfast, when time is short, volume and
caffeine content are perhaps most welcome. After dinner, however, a
small cup of pure flavor is more appropriate, ensuring that both the
conversation continues and the palate is cleared of any lingering
flavors of the meal still clinging to the taste-buds. At a quiet,
reflective moment or when seeking to unwind, slowly savoring a deep,
smoky, velvety black coffee transports the mind into another place and
time.
The volume and strength of the coffee
should also be considered. Is a small amount of coffee likely to be
drunk all at once or are several cups required immediately? Perhaps one
person may want to drink several cups over an extended period. Texture,
too, is important. The liquid could slip down better if it were clean
and clear of sediment, or one might prefer the roughness of a brew
steeped in the particles from which it comes. Weak or strong, clear or
thick, morning or evening, all of the requirements of coffee can be met
by one or the other method of brewing.
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