It’s time! Fall is here! Which, of course, means that people will be craving the warmth, coziness and–for college students at least–the caffeine that only coffee can provide. Now, while trying out new coffee shops is a fun fall activity and can keep us from getting too bored (please see attached article for coffee shops around the Berrien area that I wrote last year), it might not always be feasible for students to get transportation off campus. This is where homemade coffee saves the day! As a coffee lover, I thought it would be nice to explain a few different ways of how I make my coffee, both hot and iced. Some require a bit more funds than others, but I think the payoff is worth it, especially because then you’re not spending $6-$8 on a latte at a coffee shop (although they are indeed delicious). For a bit of context, I’ve found that I enjoy the process of making coffee on a slow morning, which is why I try to wake up around 6:15 every day. Waking up early allows me to take my time getting ready and brew the perfect cup of coffee, depending on how I’m feeling. Sometimes I just opt for tea. Here are the ways in which I make my morning coffee.
1. Keurig
While this option does come with a bit of an investment (the model linked is around $80), it allows you to make hot cups of coffee within the comfort of your dorm. The coffee pods needed can vary in price depending on where you buy them and the brand you use. I know from experience that Starbucks coffee pods are more on the pricey side. Although convenient and quick, this isn’t my preferred option, even though I do own one, and it does come in handy when I don’t have the time to use my Moka pot. When I do use my Keurig, I tend to go for the 8-ounce option so as to allow a generous amount of room for milk, and I always use oat milk. It just tastes better than regular milk in my opinion. I then add a sweetener, brown sugar these days, and sometimes a pinch of cinnamon if I’m feeling spicy. Voila! A hot cup of coffee. The Keurig tends to be a dorm favorite.
2. French Press
I thrifted the French press I currently own while on an outing with my Nana a couple of years ago, and I used it quite a bit last school year. The typical French press method would be to boil water and then pour it into the pitcher part that already has the ground coffee in it. Then press it down with the sieve. For me, however, I would use my French press when I wanted to have a batch of iced coffee that would last me a few days. The night before I wanted one, I would pour ground coffee in the pitcher first (measured from the heart), and then I would fill it with filtered water before stirring it together. Then put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, after taking it out of the fridge, I would press it and have a pitcher of cold brew that would last a few days in the fridge! Because sugar dissolves more slowly in cold liquid, I would use my Contigo water bottle as a shaker situation and put the desired amount of brown sugar in at the bottom, and then pour in a bit of the cold brew, screw the lid on, and shake it for a minute or so until the sugar dissolves into more of a syrup. Speaking of, syrups are a great way to elevate your morning coffee experience. I purchase mine from T.J. Maxx; they have a good selection for good prices. The ones I currently own are pumpkin spice, maple pancake, raspberry (for a white chocolate raspberry latte situation), and vanilla. I like to have options to choose from, and I can use them in whatever form of coffee I drink.
3. Moka pot
This coffee-making method is my current favorite. You essentially just make a shot of espresso on the stovetop, which is cheaper and more efficient than having a Nespresso or one of those bougie coffee machines that no college student can justify buying. I have the three-cup size, just because I like my coffee to have a good balance regarding taste. While I am a latte girly, I also like to be able to taste the coffee in my drink, and by using a three-cup moka pot, I can actually have a larger amount that’s balanced. If I want an iced latte, I put the espresso in the fridge for an hour or so to cool down so that the ice doesn’t immediately melt and water down the shot. Before putting it to cool, I like to add whatever sweetener I’m in the mood for so that it blends into the hot liquid. When I think it’s cold enough, I take it out of the fridge and pour it into a glass with ice and oat milk. Bam! Another iced latte. I’ve mentioned ground coffee a couple of times now, and like coffee pods, the price depends on the brand you buy and where you buy it. I really want to start buying ground coffee from different coffee shops from time to time, but those are more on the expensive side. You can find pretty good coffee from brands like Better Goods for less than $10, and the bags usually last for a while.
Ultimately, there are multiple ways to make coffee in the dorm. Mine probably fall on the more unconventional side, but the result always tastes delicious and gives me another reason to look forward to waking up in the mornings.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.