That’s right: coffee. Lots of it. And I don’t mean cups of namby pamby drip-coffee- at this point in time, only good, strong Espresso will do for me.

Here’s what you’ll need to brew perfect Espresso at home. This is good, smooth, strong stuff- not too bitter, and certainly without that awful metallic taste that plagues so many failed homemade Espressos.

• Espresso Maker. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, you do NOT need to buy the most expensive machine out there. I use an affordable DeLonghi machine I was gifted around 12 (yes, 12!) years ago, and it’s fine.
• Coffee Grinder. Again, no need to get too fancy here. Burr grinders, of course, rock my socks off- but any regular grinder will do. I even have a weakness for those hand-cranked antique looking grinders. And just between you and me, I used a regular old blender to grind coffee beans when my grinder broke last week, and could barely tell the difference. I don’t recommend using your food processor, though- never worked well for me.
• Awesome Water. Now here, really, is where you want to get fancy. The taste of your coffee depends upon how good your water is. I don’t like distilled, have a great fear of my local tap water, and buy Alkaline water for my household for health reasons. I also happen to think it’s delicious.

Now, when you brew yourself some Espresso, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Use a fine grind. None of that coarse ground for Espresso- it takes literally seconds for your water to go through your machine, and you want as much coffee flavor in there as possible. So, go fine- we’re talking almost like powdered sugar fine.
• Use chilled water. Not ice water, but a nice, non-toothachingly-cold chill. I’m not sure why this is so, but I’ve found that starting with chilled, clean water produces a better tasting, smoother Espresso.
• Try some salt. You heard me: try adding a pinch of salt to your ground coffee before tamping it down. I don’t remember where I learned this, but it apparently kills some of the acidity and makes your Espresso less bitter.
• Serve immediately. Espresso must be drunk right away.

These tips should help you brew up some Espresso at home that will knock your socks off- and cost much, much less than a trip to your local coffeeshop. And now, back to present-wrapping for me!

Sad but true: most of the coffee I’ve been served at friends’ homes have been bad. By that I don’t mean awful and completely undrinkable- just mostly mediocre. The thing is, for me, there’s nothing worse than a mediocre cup of coffee.

Now chances are, if you’re using those little packets of instant (or, horrors, “3-in-one”) coffee, you already know why your coffee sucks- but what if you aren’t? What if you buy quality beans, grind them fresh every day, and you’re still unhappy with your home brew? Here, my tips for making awesome coffee at home:

• Clean your coffeemaker. Whether you’re using an automatic drip machine, a french press, or a percolator, you want to keep your coffeemaker as clean as possible- that means getting rid of leftover grounds and oily residue completely. I like to clean my coffeemakers with distilled vinegar and water about once a month, and daily with good old dishwashing soap and lots of water.
• Buy good beans. Roasted coffee beans go “off” quicker than you think, so you want to buy beans that are well-packed (in a dark container), and from a reputable source. I’m not a bean snob by any means- Starbucks has a great selection, and I also have a soft spot for good old Folgers.
• Store your coffee well. In the freezer is good- and if you have a large amount of beans, separate them into smaller “servings” so you don’t have to bring them all out every time you grind.
• Get a good grinder. Sure, you could use your blender, but for maximum flavor you should consider investing in a burr grinder, which crushes your beans with a grinding wheel rather than a blade. It produces a more consistent grind.
• Use good water. Good, sparkling clean water can make a world of difference to your cup of coffee. When using a drip machine, I like to start with very cold water. If you’re using a french press, heat your water only to just under boiling.
• Always brew fresh. The longer you let the coffee sit, keeping it warm, the worse it will taste. Only brew enough for the moment.