Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages. There are coffee shops everywhere, and it is almost rare to meet someone who doesn’t drink coffee. Starbucks has been a kind of gateway to so many people who start drinking coffee. It seems like as Starbucks has become more and more popular over the last decade, there has also been an increase in ways to make and enjoy coffee. For coffee lovers the traditional automated drip coffee maker is not the only way they enjoy coffee now.

Maybe you are searching for the perfect gift for that coffee aficionado that you know.  I can’t say with certainty that one of these might be perfect for you, but they might help you in your search.

The French Press

Let’s start with probably the most basic and seemingly most common coffee maker outside of the automated drip machine or espresso machine, the French Press. I won’t go into the details of how to use a French Press, but here is an article from CoffeeGurus.net that explains in more detail how to use a French Press. This is how I make my coffee each day and it is a wonderful way to enjoy coffee.

The Aeropress

Unlike the French Press, which has been around for nearly a hundred years, the Aeropress was invented in 2005; so don’t feel bad for not having heard of it. Strangely enough the inventor (Alan Adler of Aerobie) of the Aeropress sells sport toys like frisbees and footballs on their website too. The Aeropress seems to have gained a lot of traction among common coffee drinkers in the last couple of years. I now have seen it offered in coffee shops as an additional way to order your coffee. It is similar in some ways to the french press, but it uses a microfilter that gives you a grit free cup of coffee.

The American Press

If you are feeling a bit more patriotic you might have to check out the American Press which makes coffee in very much the same way as the French press but captures the coffee grounds in pod.

The Chemex

Probably the next most popular way to make a cup of coffee would be the pour over method. The leader in the pour over coffee world would definitely be the Chemex. Surely by now you have seen one of your friends post a picture on Instagram of their coffee and Chemex. The Chemex is in no way a new brewing technique; it has been around for 75 years. The idea of pour over coffee seems simple and uncomplicated, but coffee shops like Stumptown Coffee from Portland have made it an art form. Stumptown has a great step by step guide that explains the intricate details and steps of making pour over coffee. Honestly, you might be a little surprised the exacting detail that goes into making pour over coffee.

The Bialetti Moka Express

Since we are making our way around the world talking about coffee makers and techniques. I have to share the elegant, Italian coffee maker called the Bialetti Moka Express. It makes a unique espresso by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through the coffee grounds. It is used on the stove top and may be one of the more unique ways you can enjoy a cup of coffee.

There are so many methods to make a cup of coffee or espresso. I am always on the lookout for unique ways to enjoy coffee. If you know of other methods or coffee makers, I would love it if you would share them with me by tagging @moderngearforlife on instagram.