How To Make Coffee Without a Coffee Maker

Coffee is one of the most important beverages to have on your breakfast table. A lot of people prefer drip coffee mainly because the process is quite modern, and it helps preserve the flavor of the coffee. But let's face it, it takes a lot of time to brew your pot of coffee in the morning. You have to grind the beans, fill the pot up with water, press the button, and wait for your coffee to brew.

While there is no shortage of coffee makers out there, what if yours stops functioning all of a sudden? It's seven in the morning, and you need to get to work soon. But you don't want to leave without your daily dose of caffeine. Going to a coffee shop isn't an option either since it takes a lot of time to line up and wait for the barista to prepare your coffee.

A situation like this calls for a bit of creativity. We will talk about how to make coffee without a coffee maker using the items you have on hand. But keep in mind that the product of the process we are about to share with you is not the same as coffee prepared by a coffee machine. It may not be the same, but at least you get your daily dose of coffee before you head out and start your day.

Swedish Egg Method

When we talk about Sweden, we think about Ikea or Swedish meatballs. A lot of people don't know this, but the Swedes offer really strong and bold coffee. They have also developed their brewing method known as the Swedish Egg method. Although this method does not require you to own intricate machines, it does involve something more unconventional: eggs. Here's a list of the things you will need.

·    Fresh eggs

·    Ground coffee (coarse)

·    Ice cold water

·    Room temperature water

·    A pan

·    A small bowl or cup

·    Cheesecloth or hanky

For the ground coffee, you will need at least one or one and a half tablespoons for each serving. Now, here are the steps to brew your coffee using the Swedish Egg method.

Step 1.   Take your room temperature water and boil it in the pan.

Step 2.   While you wait for it to boil, crack the egg and place it into the cup.

Step 3.   Mix the egg thoroughly, then add your coffee grounds to the mix and stir them again.

Step 4.   Add the egg and coffee grounds mixture into your boiling water. The water needs to be boiling, not simmering.

Step 5.   Stir the mixture together for at least five minutes.

Step 6.   Keep a close eye on the mixture. If it starts to clump up and float to the top, pour in some of the ice-cold water.

Step 7.   Once you're done "cooking" the mixture, pour it out onto a cup with the cheesecloth or hanky on top. This will filter out any unwanted residues.

The end product of this method is a more smooth and velvety cup of coffee. It's different from the texture of regular coffee, so this method will surely spice up your mornings.

Microwave Method

As you can tell, the main item you need for this method is a microwave. It sounds simple enough, right? Well, it is! Here are the things that you will need.

·    Ground coffee

·    Mug

·    Water

·    Microwave

Now let's go to the steps on how to brew your coffee using a microwave.

Step 1.  Fill up your mug with water and microwave it for at least two minutes. Be careful, the water is going to be hot, and the steam might burn you.

Step 2.  Take out the mug and put your ground coffee into the water. Mix it well.

Step 3.  Let the coffee sit for a couple of minutes. This will give the coffee grounds time to sink to the bottom of the mug.

Step 4.  Once it has been given a couple of minutes, you can freely enjoy your coffee. But just make sure to avoid drinking the last few sips of coffee if you don't want coffee grounds in your mouth or between your teeth.

Cowboy Method

Back in the old days, coffee machines didn't exist. Even when it was already invented, the coffee machine was not a common or popular appliance found in homes. So how did people manage to brew themselves a nice cup of coffee?

Don't let the name of this method mislead you. You won't be swinging a rope around to catch a horse or wear boots with spurs. This also doesn't mean you will be brewing coffee in a cowboy hat or whatnot. The cowboy method simply means this process can be done anywhere. This method is popular with campers or climbers. Here's what you will need:

·    Water

·    Pot or kettle

·    Spoon or any other stirring utensil

·    Mug

·    Ground coffee

·    Fire

These are all easy to find items. Now, let's move on to the steps to make coffee using this particular brewing method.

Step 1.   Take out your kettle and put a tablespoon of coffee in it. One tablespoon means one serving. Adjust it depending on how much you are planning to serve.

Step 2.   Add in eight ounces of water per tablespoon and mix it well.

Step 3.   Place the kettle on top of the flames. Wait until the mixture inside is boiling.

Step 4.   Once you bring it to a boil, leave it for at least two more minutes before you remove the kettle from the stove.

Step 5.   Let the coffee sit in the pot for a couple of minutes, ideally four minutes, to let the grounds settle on the bottom of the kettle.

Step 6.   Pour out the coffee slowly to avoid getting coffee grounds into your mug.

Follow the steps below to brew that sweet cup of caffeine using the French Press Mimic method.

Step 1.   Take out your bowl and put a tablespoon of coffee grounds in it. Again, one tablespoon equals one serving.

Step 2.   Add hot water bit by bit to let the coffee grounds slowly soak it up.

Step 3.   Let the mixture sit for at least four minutes. This should be enough time to let the grounds sink to the bottom of the bowl.

Step 4.   Take your tablespoon and slowly press the coffee grounds at the bottom. Remember, the water is boiling hot. Be extra careful.

Step 5.   Pour out the coffee into a mug slowly to minimize the risk of stray grounds getting into your cup.

Hanky Method

You read that right. You can brew coffee with a handkerchief! This is a very cheap alternative to owning a coffee machine or a Keurig. Not to mention this method is very eco-friendly!

However, you will need quite a bit of patience when utilizing this particular method. But the hanky method ensures that you won't have any stray grounds in your coffee. Prepare the following items:

·    Mason jar or mug

·    Clean handkerchief

·    Clothespins or paper clips

·    Hot water

·    Ground coffee

Here's how you brew coffee using the hanky method.

Step 1.   Set your mason jar or mug down and place the hanky on top of it. Gently press the center of the hanky to create a small dent that is enough to hold one serving of ground coffee.

Step 2.   Use the paperclips or clothespins to secure the hanky on top of the mug or mason jar.

Step 3.   Place one serving of coffee grounds in the middle of the hanky.

Step 4.   Pour a bit of the hot water onto the coffee grounds and allow it to soak for half a minute.

Step 5.   Add in the rest of the hot water bit by bit. Make sure the hanky is secure before pouring your water in.

Step 6.   Slowly remove the hanky containing the coffee grounds, and you're good to go.

Strainer Method

If your coffee maker malfunctions and you don't have cheesecloth or a filtration device, the strainer method is here to save your day. This is quite similar to the stovetop method that was introduced above.

However, your strainer has to have fine holes. It's highly recommended that you use double-layer mesh strainers for this specific method. These are the things that are required for this method.

·    Mesh strainer

·    Mug

·    Saucepan or kettle

·    Water

·    Coffee grounds

Here's how you brew it:

Step 1.   Pour water into the saucepan or kettle. Make sure you have the right measurement depending on how many servings you want to make.

Step 2.   Add in your coffee grounds and mix it well.

Step 3.   Allow the water to boil and leave it boiling for at least two minutes.

Step 4.   Turn off your stove and set the saucepan aside.

Step 5.   Hold the strainer above the mug. Carefully pour out the coffee through the strainer. This should catch the grounds from the saucepan to make sure you can fully enjoy your cup of coffee.

Coffee Bag Method

Are you the type of person who likes to think of different or unconventional ways to do things? Have you ever thought if it's possible to make coffee the same way people make tea using tea bags?

Well, this method answers that question. Yes! You can make a "coffee bag" with just a couple of items. Not a lot of people know this, but this is the method used by the French back in the 18th century. Make sure you have these items on hand:

·    Mug

·    Coffee grounds

·    Hot water

·    Coffee filter

·    String (make sure the string you are using does not have a coating of wax)

Follow these steps to brew a nice cup of coffee using the coffee bag method.

Step 1.   Scoop out one servings worth of coffee grounds. Pour the grounds into the coffee filter.

Step 2.   Create a make-shift bag out of the coffee filter filled with coffee grounds. Make sure you secure it so the coffee grounds won't fall out.

Step 3.   Tie the string around the coffee bag. Make sure the string is long enough for you to be able to hold it while you dip it into the coffee mug.

Step 4.   Heat some water using your microwave, kettle, or any other water heating appliance.

Step 5.   Gently place the coffee bag into your mug.

Step 6.   Pour hot water into the mug slowly. Make sure you don't pour in too much water.

Step 7.   Steep the coffee bag for four minutes. This is similar to how you steep tea bags. You can even leave the bag in for a little longer if you want stronger coffee.

Step 8.   Remove the bag, dispose of it properly, and enjoy your fresh cup of coffee.

Stovetop Method

Most, if not all, households have a stove. You may own an electric stove or the traditional gas stove. Some even own a portable or mini gas stove that they use in case of emergencies or if they go camping. The stovetop method is pretty much self-explanatory, but we'll go ahead and talk about it in detail. Here are the things required by this method:

·    Mug

·    Ladle

·    Spoon

·    Saucepan (small)

·    Water

·    Coffee grounds

Here is how you brew it:

Step 1.   Set your saucepan on top of your stove. Don't turn on your stove just yet, though.

Step 2.   Add in your water and coffee grounds. Stir the mixture slowly but thoroughly.

Step 3.   Set your stove to medium or high heat. Boil your mixture and stir it with the ladle occasionally. This is to prevent the grounds from settling at the bottom and burning.

Step 4.   Let it boil for two more minutes.

Step 5.   Remove your saucepan from the stove and let it sit for an extra two minutes. This should be enough time for the grounds to sink to the bottom of the saucepan.

Step 6.   Slowly scoop out the coffee using the ladle. Place it in your mug of choice. Make sure you don't scoop out the grounds on the bottom of the pan.

Step 7.   An alternative, if you don't own a ladle, is to slowly pour out the coffee into the mug. However, there's a higher chance that grounds will fall into your mug if you do this.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content.

All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.