How to Save Money With a Coffee Press at Your Desk

Enjoy fresh coffee at your desk every day.

If you're spending too much money at Starbucks or tired of relying on your company's coffee maker, you can have great-tasting, fresh coffee every morning at your desk by using a French Coffee Press. It's a simple, economic and completely enjoyable way to have fresh coffee every morning (or afternoon).

Things You'll Need

• One-cup coffee press
• Freshly ground coffee beans
• Hot water
• Creamer or sweetener
• Stirrer
• Coffee cup or mug

Instructions

1. Have your freshly ground coffee ready by grinding it ahead of time at home. Your office mates probably won't appreciate the sound of you grinding coffee beans every morning, so plan ahead by grinding beans at home and storing them in an airtight container. Make it a medium to coarse grind.

2. Add 1 rounded tablespoon of fresh coffee grounds into the press. After you've used your coffee press a few times, you can adjust the amount for coffee to your liking.

3. Add 5 ounces of hot water. In the office, you can use a microwave to heat water in your mug, and then pour that into the press. You can also use water from a water cooler with a hot water spigot, as long as you don't plan to let the coffee steep too long.

4. To make sure all the grounds are wet, briefly stir the grounds using a coffee stirrer, spoon or chopstick.

5. Place the filter end of the press on top of the press, but don't push it down. This allows the coffee to steep for two to three minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee.

6. Holding the handle on the side of the press, slowly press down on the top of the filter, pushing the grounds to the bottom of the press.

7. Pour your coffee into your cup of choice. Add creamer or sweetener to taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Grind enough coffee at home to last three to four days, and store it in an airtight container. If you have a freezer available at work, storing your coffee there will keep it fresher longer.

• Store creamer in the company fridge but keep track of the expiration date.

• Adjust the coffee to water ratio according to your taste.

• For an added stress reducer, post a picture of a Parisian cafe in your cubicle, and take a brief mental vacation to France.

• Always have enough coffee on hand for an office mate -- once they smell your fresh coffee they may ask for a cup.

• Never put your coffee press into a microwave to heat the water.

References

• What's Cooking America: How to Use a French Press Coffee Maker

Resources

• AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
• BonJour Hugo 8-Cup Unbreakable French Press, Black