Coffee shops around the world are charging more and more for your favorite coffees. Is it really necessary to spend $5-$10 for a cup of gourmet joe each day? No, it isn’t. Why spend all that money when you can enjoy it at home? Worried that you will be stuck with a muddy cup of Folgers or Maxwell House? Not unless you enjoy it! Seriously, you can get the same delicious gourmet coffee at home that you’re willing to pay big money for at a cafe, and cut your expenses in half or more in the process.

Flavor It Up

There are a variety of ways to make a flavored coffee that you adore. Cafes tend to use syrups for flavoring and you can find those online, often resulting in just pennies per cup. How much is your nearby coffee stop charging for a few pumps of hazelnut? Syrups, such as Monin coffee syrups, come in so many flavors that it makes it easy for you to enjoy that pumpkin spice latte in the middle of summer and a lovely iced Americano in the winter. But you aren’t just limited to syrups either! You can add extra stuff to your coffee grounds and come up with your favorites or design a new one. Pumpkin pie spice, shaved dark chocolate, ground cacao nibs, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, apple pie spice, ground ginger, and even a touch of cayenne can entice your taste buds and impress your friends.

There Will Be Trial And Error

Making coffee at home like a pro will take a little bit of trial and error. This is the time to remind you that failure is not a negative. For each pot of coffee that doesn’t turn out as you expected is the opportunity to improve it until you discover the right blend of grounds, brewing time, and flavorings. Even if you have never brewed your own coffee (yep, there are people who don’t know how), you can do this and you should do this. Aside from the expense, there is something special about a handcrafted cup of coffee that meets your personal expectations.

Have The Right Tools

In order to make the most delicious beverages, you are going to need the right tools. Notice we didn’t save the most expensive? That’s right, you don’t have to break the bank for the latest coffee grinder or machine. The important thing is getting the right tool. Firstly, we recommend buying your coffee as a bean and using a grinder to make it yourself. Is it a must? No, but coffee already ground expires much faster than a coffee bean so it’s a far better option to buy the bean and grind it yourself. Manual coffee grinders tend to be less expensive and still a tool we would suggest. There is something wonderful and personal about grinding the coffee with your own physical strength. Yes, it does take longer. No, it’s not meant for impatient people. If you know you are going to hate manually grinding coffee, then go for a grinding machine powered by electricity.

Yes, you will need a coffee pot. If you already have a coffee pot you love and use every day, no need to buy a new one. If you are looking for a coffee pot, read the reviews online by average people. You want to know how the everyday American functions with it, not a barista who has been trained in the art of coffee. Baristas have a lot of knowledge to share but in this case, if the average person can’t figure out how to make it work without a barista helping them, then it’s probably not worth the money. Don’t forget the coffee filters and a favorite coffee cup. The right cup makes all the difference.

Always start small with your endeavors. You can learn to make that espresso in the fall and then focus on iced coffees in the spring. Or you can make that one coffee you buy religiously at the nearby coffee shop. Learn as you go and this will be a successful adventure!