Rather than shelling out $5 for that morning latte, wouldn’t you prefer to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee right from the comfort of your own home? If you don’t think it’s possible to make barista-quality coffee with your own tools, these informative tips will show you how.

Start with great coffee.
You can splurge on high-quality coffee beans and still save money by making it at home. Instead of choosing whichever medium roast is on sale at the supermarket, do a bit of research. Find a local roaster or a supermarket that sells freshly roasted beans. Once you find the perfect batch, purchase only a week’s worth at a time and store it in a sealed container to ensure its freshness.

Use a manual coffeemaker.
Rather than spending big bucks on a high-tech coffeemaker, use a manual French press or pour-over drip brew pot. Not only do these cost less than the fancy alternatives, they also allow you to brew your coffee with precision.

Grind your beans at home.
Instead of using the grocery store grinder, invest in a good burr coffee grinder, which crushes whole beans into uniformly sized pieces. This enables water to run evenly through the grounds and produce a more even cup.

Use a standardized scoop.
Most experts recommend using two tablespoons of coffee per eight-ounce cup, so start with this amount. You can always adjust the amount to fit your unique preferences.

How to Brew Coffee [National Coffee Association]
How to Make Really Good Coffee [Scientific American]
Coffee: The Basics [Coffee FAQ]

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