Good coffee

[Dilbertian]

After reading about the health benefits of coffee, I’d like to start drinking it. Just one cup of black, unsweetened caffeine every day. But I’ve no idea what to try. I don’t have any coffee equipment. Dh drinks milky decaff instant, which I think is foul.

What should I try?

Like several other posters I use a cafetiere, which is easy. I buy beans online from https://stokescoffee.com/ based in Lincoln - a long way from where I live - I discovered them on a visit there years ago. Their Flirt blend, a dark espresso roast, might suit your needs, although it's only available as beans - you'll need a grinder (the grinding attachment of a blender or food processor works perfectly well). Most other coffees they sell they can grind for you.

I was given a handful of their bags by a friend. They are the nicest I have tried. So many others seem to have a meaty, vaguely Marmitey tang that I really dislike (and I love Marmite).

Mmmm 🧡coffee sooo much.

I’d get a stove top coffee maker for espresso op. Smells DELICIOUS!

Then try out different brands. Union is nice, but plenty to try in the supermarket too…

INSTANT IS NOT OK.

https://amzn.eu/d/06fQIT4N

Have you tried an Aeropress? It's cheap (about £30), dead simple to use, and makes a really clean, smooth black coffee — not bitter like instant can be. You just need the Aeropress itself, some paper filters, and freshly ground beans (get them from a local coffee shop or something like Union Roasted, they'll grind them for you if you ask).

The technique is: boil water, put a filter in the cap, rinse it with hot water, add a scoop of finely ground coffee, pour in hot water, stir for 10 seconds, then press the plunger down slowly. Takes about 2 minutes total and the clean-up is instant — just pop the puck out into the bin.

Honestly it's the best gateway into proper coffee without spending a fortune on machines. I've been using mine for years and still prefer it over most cafetière coffee