Imagine the scene.
It’s a bright Monday morning, you make your way to the kitchen for your morning cup of joe only to meet the surprise – the moka pot is broken, and you don’t have an espresso machine. You realize you don’t know how to make coffee without a coffee maker.
One Google search later, you stumble on this post about how to make coffee without a coffee maker. As you settle to read these words, you realize you are still going to start the day off on the right foot and with your morning cup of joe.
3 Ways to make coffee without a coffee maker
There are various methods of preparing coffee without a coffee machine and in this post, I examine three ways.
1. How to make coffee with a microwave
It should come as no surprise that you can make coffee in the microwave. So far I have made noodles, pounded yam, eba, and oatmeal in the microwave. Want to learn how to make coffee in a microwave, then follow the steps below. Remember to use a microwave-complaint cup/mug.
Ingredients:
Ground coffee
Water
Sugar
The Steps –
Start by measuring the coffee. Use 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 35 ml of water. A lot of people don’t bother with these measurements but I hear it makes a ton of difference to the finished product. Try measuring.
Stir the coffee and water together so the coffee is evenly distributed in the water. Make sure there is enough room left in the cup/mug in case the coffee mix rises as it heats up.
Put the mug in the microwave and heat it on high for 1 minute, 30 seconds.
Once the coffee is heated, remove it from the microwave and let it sit for a minute or two. This will allow the coffee to cool down and the grounds to settle at the bottom of the cup.
Turn the coffee into another cup, leaving the settled grounds behind.
Your coffee is now ready! If you want, you may add sugar and milk.
While the microwave method is a convenient option, the flavour might differ from other brewing methods. You should try different coffee-to-water ratios and brewing times to find the taste that best suits you.
Filter Coffee
Filter coffee is a popular brewing method that involves hot water flowing through a bed of ground coffee, extracting its flavours and aromas.
Ingredients:
Coffee ground
Mug
Filter paper
The Steps:
Fold and pre-moisten the filter to ensure it stays in place.
Choose your coffee- It is suggested to use a medium grind for filter coffee. Freshly ground coffee is best. Add the coffee and ensure the bed of coffee is level.
Heat water and allow it to boil for a few seconds.
Pour a small amount of water over the coffee and wait about 30 seconds for the bloom to dissipate, then pour continuously in small circles around the coffee ground.
Wait a few seconds then carefully remove the filter with used coffee grounds. Discard both and enjoy your coffee.
You can purchase filter papers here.
Instant Coffee: When All Else Fails
Some coffee lovers don’t like the sound of instant coffee. They think it is less coffee and even toxin-ridden but as far as making coffee at home without a coffee machine goes, instant coffee is a fantastic alternative. This post shows why it is the preferred alternative for many Nigerians.
Ingredients:
Instant coffee mix
Hot water
Mug
The Steps:
Put your instant coffee mix in your mug
Pour hot water and stir
Enjoy.
You may add sugar and cream as desired though some instant coffees have 3-in-1 mixes with milk and sugar in the mix.
Conclusion –
A coffee machine is usually the best choice to maintain aroma and consistency but in cases where you do not have this option, the ways discussed above are a good alternative and a great source for that boost coffee inspires in most coffee drinkers.
These alternative ways to make coffee are not only convenient for home use but fantastic for office use too.
Have you tried any of these methods or do you have a set of yours? Share in the comments to provide more information for others on how to make coffee without a coffee machine.
