If you need a cup of coffee in the morning to wake you up, finding that the coffee machine has broken can be a nightmare. Don't be afraid though: there are many ways to prepare coffee even without the use of a machine. Here are some techniques you can try.
Ingrediants
For a cup of American coffee
- 1 or 2 tablespoons of ground coffee or a couple of teaspoons of instant coffee powder
- 180 - 250 ml of hot water
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Method One: Use a Strainer
Step 1. Heat the water
You can do this using a teapot, pot, microwave, or electric kettle.
- It is advisable to use a teapot or alternatively a saucepan. In both cases, fill the container you have decided to use with the amount of water needed for the coffee and put it on the stove. Boil over medium-high heat.
- Heating water in the microwave can be dangerous if it's not done right. Put the water in a cup without a lid suitable for microwave use and place a non-metallic object, such as a wooden stick, in the water. Heat it in 1 to 2 minute intervals until it reaches the desired temperature.
- An electric kettle is easy to use. Pour in enough water for your coffee and turn on the device. Set the temperature between medium and high, then heat the water for a few minutes, until it boils.
Step 2. Measure the amount of ground coffee
Pour enough ground coffee into a bowl to make as many cups of coffee as you need.
- You should use about a couple of tablespoons of ground coffee for each cup of water (250ml).
- Use a large bowl if you need to make more than one cup of coffee.
- If you don't have a bowl, you can use any container, such as a measuring cup.
Step 3. Pour the hot water over the ground coffee
Afterward, you will need a colander to separate the ground coffee from the water
Step 4. Let the coffee steep for three minutes
Mix well and leave it for another three minutes in the water.
The amount of brewing time can vary depending on the type of coffee you used and how strong you like it. The time recommended in this article is to make a medium cup of American coffee using standard ground coffee
Step 5. Filter the ground coffee when you pour the liquid into the cup
Use a colander to do this. Repeat the process for each cup.
- The strainer will not allow the ground coffee to fall into the cup.
- At the end of this step, your American coffee should be ready to drink. Add milk and sugar if you like and enjoy.
Method 2 of 5: Method Two: Use a Filter
Step 1. Heat the water
Use a teapot, saucepan, microwave, or electric kettle.
- If you heat the water in a teapot or saucepan, boil it over medium-high heat.
- To heat water in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe container with a non-metallic utensil inside. Heat it in 1 to 2 minute intervals.
- Fill an electric kettle with the necessary water and turn it on. Set the temperature between medium and high and boil.
Step 2. Put the ground coffee in a filter
Place it in the center of a single coffee filter and tie it into a package with string or thread.
- Tie the filter tightly to prevent ground coffee from falling into the liquid. Basically you will have to make the equivalent of a tea bag.
- Leave enough thread or twine for it to stick out of the cup. This will make it easier to remove the sachet.
- This method is most effective if you only need to make one cup of American coffee at a time. If you want to make several cups at a time, you should make a sachet for each of them.
- The coffee made with this method is slightly less strong than that made with the strainer. As a result, you should use at least two tablespoons of ground coffee for every 250ml of water. If you use less coffee, you will get a less intense flavor drink.
Step 3. Pour the water over the filter
Place the sachet in the cup and pour the hot water directly over it.
If you are using multiple sachets, put one in each cup. Do not try to make more coffee by using more filters in a larger container
Step 4. Infuse the coffee for 3 to 4 minutes
- If you prefer stronger coffee, you can keep the beans in the water for 4-5 minutes.
- For a lighter coffee, remove the sachet after 2-3 minutes.
- It is not necessary to mix the water.
Step 5. Remove the filter and enjoy your coffee
Use the excess thread to pull the sachet out of the water. Add milk and sugar if you like, and drink your American coffee.
Press the filter lightly with a spoon against the edge of the cup to release any remaining soaked liquid. This liquid will make the coffee more intense
Method 3 of 5: Method Three: Using a Pot
Step 1. Put the ground coffee and water in a small pot
Turn to mix.
Use about 1 or 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 250ml of water
Step 2. Boil the water
Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and wait for the water to come to a boil.
Stir the coffee from time to time
Step 3. Let it boil for two minutes
Start a timer when the water begins to boil completely. After the water has boiled for two minutes, without a lid, remove the pot from the heat.
As soon as you turn off the stove, the ground coffee should settle on the bottom of the pot
Step 4. Pour the coffee into your cup
If you pour carefully, the ground coffee will remain at the bottom of the pot and you won't need to use a strainer.
If you have a colander you can obviously use it. This way you will be sure that no residue will fall into your cup
Method 4 of 5: Method Four: Using a Plunger Coffee Maker
Step 1. Boil the water
You can use a teapot, pot, microwave or electric kettle, depending on your availability.
- A teapot is an ideal choice, but a saucepan works in a very similar way. Fill them with the water needed to make the coffees. Place them on the stove and light it over medium-high heat until the water boils.
- Heat the water in the microwave in a suitable container. Insert a non-metallic utensil into the water to prevent it from overheating and heat it in short intervals of less than two minutes.
- You can heat water in an electric kettle by simply turning it on and setting it to a medium-high temperature.
Step 2. Put the ground coffee in the plunger coffee maker (or French coffee maker)
Add 1 tablespoon of ground coffee for every 125ml of water.
A coffee lover would tell you to only use fresh ground coffee, but you can use pre-ground coffee as well
Step 3. Pour the water into the coffee maker
Pour it directly over the ground coffee, making sure it is completely submerged.
- Do not pour all the water in one place, to make sure you get all the ground coffee wet.
- As you pour, you should notice a small "halo" forming on the surface.
- Use a stick to mix the coffee and remove the halo.
Step 4. Put the filter over the plunger and let the coffee brew for a few minutes
- If your coffee maker is small, 2-3 minutes will suffice.
- A larger coffee pot can take a full 4 minutes.
Step 5. Push the plunger
Grab the plunger and push it down.
Press the plunger down evenly and continuously. If it is tilted, the ground coffee could reach the top of the coffee pot
Step 6. Pour the coffee
Pour it directly from the coffee maker into the cups.
Keep the lid on to prevent it from slipping or falling as you pour
Method 5 of 5: Method Five: Using Instant Coffee
Step 1. Heat the water
Without a coffee machine, you can heat the water with a teapot, pot, electric kettle, or microwave.
- A teapot is an ideal choice, but a saucepan works in a very similar way. Fill them with the water needed to make the coffees. Place them on the stove and light it over medium-high heat until the water boils.
- Heat the water in the microwave in a suitable container. Insert a non-metallic utensil into the water to prevent it from overheating and heat it in short intervals of less than two minutes.
- You can heat water in an electric kettle by simply turning it on and setting it to a medium-high temperature.
Step 2. Measure the instant coffee
Each brand of coffee is different, but you should usually use a couple of teaspoons of instant coffee powder per 180ml of water.
Put the instant coffee powder directly into the cup
Step 3. Pour the water and mix
Pour it directly onto the ground coffee. Mix well, then add milk and sugar if you wish.
Step 4. Finished
Enjoy your American coffee.
