DIY Gourmet Coffee for Less

A couple years ago I got on a hot drink kick and rarely made it through a week without at least three grande, nonfat, no whip, extra hot, toffee nut lattes.  I did some math just to see how much money I donated to Starbucks that year and it made me sick.  At $3.89 per cup of goodness I shelled out over $600 that year on drinks alone!  I am still reeling from the shock.  The markup on your store-brewed delight is 300-1000% percent.

Why do we continue to pit stop at our coffee shops each morning?  The barista knows our names, our eight-adjective drinks, and can spout off pithy facts about the ideal temperature of milk.  You feel loved at Starbucks and they want to keep you coming back.  But unless you choose to drink yourself out of house and home, find out how to make your favorite drink on your own.  And get some new friends you don't have to pay to be nice to you.

1. Storage matters
Keep whole beans stored in an airtight container hidden from heat, light, and moisture.   The freezer also works well as long as your bag is well sealed.  Coffee beans are grown at high altitude so storing them in a similar environment keeps them fresher for longer periods of time.

2. Ground beans daily
You'll notice a difference after a while of grinding your own.  Not only will it help you achieve the ultimate cup, it makes your house smell great at the same time.  

3. Use pure water
If you aren't a fan of bottled water (which I don't prefer anyway) try boiling your water or use a filtered pitcher.  Experiment with purifying the water several times over to gauge how much more fresh your coffee can be.  Starbucks filters its water five times before it reaches the cup.  

4. Measure precisely
Standard rule is two levels tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water.  I prefer slightly less to avoid the jitters, but try this first to see how it jives with your taste buds.  

5. Don't overheat
If you notice your coffee has an oily film on top of it, it is too hot.  Many coffee makers heat the water too much and, as a result, you get a burned beverage.  And never leave coffee burning longer than 25 minutes--you're sure to get a bitter taste.  Check coffee pots that have a temperature gauge for maximum flavor or consider using a kettle with a French press.

6. Invest in an espresso machine
You better be ready to cut out the coffee shop completely and drink often for this to be worth it.  Buy a good, used model rather than new and cheap.  If you like lattes this is the best way to froth milk.

7. Cleanse your coffee maker
Once or twice a month fill your machine with one cup of vinegar and the rest with water.  Send only water through the cycle a couple times after the vinegar cleanser.  It will cut the grease and keep your coffee pot smelling fresh.

Seek out coffee growers that produce shade-grown coffee beans--they make the best coffee and don't practice soil-depleting processes.  Organic beans aren't treated with chemicals and pesticides that lower its quality.  Make a clean break with your fake friend the barista to save your wallet.  Brewing coffee at home every day costs just $6 per week as opposed to $25 per week for the same amount in store.