One of life's special joys is a fresh cup of coffee. Because a cup of coffee can be made in many different ways and by using a variety of machines, have you ever wondered how to make the perfect cup? We're breaking down the details of each brewing method, so you can gauge the best based on your personal preferences!

1. Drip Brewers
   If you want to keep it simple, a drip brewer is the way to go. Over 45% of people in the United States use some type of drip brewer, these include pod-style brewers, like a Keurig^TM. Now,  Drip brewers are best for those who like drinking multiple cups per day or group environments, like offices. If you aren't one for messy measuring or brewing large quantities at once, single-serve coffee pods could be a good choice for you!

2. Percolator
   The process of a drip coffee maker is only slightly different from a percolator. When you brew coffee through a percolator, it has a vacuum brewing system that creates a space where the steam saturates your grounds, before filtering the coffee out. When the steam submerges the grounds, the coffee that has been brewed drains back into the water reservoir. The coffee is then heated again and soaked multiple times to make the coffee saturated. Percolators are used a lot among people who go camping or enjoy being outside because the percolator can be used without electricity. The sole purpose of a percolator is to make robust and flavorful coffee.

3. French Press
   The French press is an excellent and timely way to make a cup of coffee. To brew coffee in a french press, you are going to need a bean grinder. To make an excellent cup in the French press, the coffee beans need to be evenly ground, but you need to make sure they are not ground so small that the beans go through the filter, leaving you with bitter and murky coffee (and no one wants that!). It’s essential that the beans are the same consistency. After you are done grinding your beans, heat the water and let it cool for one minute. After that, add the heated water to your French press, and stir your brew in an up and down motion before letting the coffee brew for precisely four minutes. When the time is up, simply plunge the coffee and enjoy!

4. Decanters
   The decanter method is referred to as "pour over" as well. Making a cup of coffee in a decanter takes about two and a half to three minutes. First, you bring around 20 oz of water to boil. Then, you grind your beans; however, do not grind them up too small because they will then leak through the filter (just like with the French press). Next, place a screen into the top dripper of the decanter and make sure that the beans are as level as possible. After that, you take the brewer and place it on a carafe. There are going to be four pours all together before you reach the perfect cup of coffee. When you pour the water over the ground beans, start on the outside and work your way in. Make sure that all the grounds have saturated with the water. Repeat this process four times and then enjoy.

5. Cold Brew
   Many people think that cold brew is simply hot coffee poured over ice. How do we put this lightly? ...Just no. That’s iced coffee. Cold brew is specifically made as a cold drink and the coffee is never actually heated or brewed. You don’t even have to add ice if you don’t want your coffee diluted! Coffee grounds are combined with water, infused slowly over a 12-hour period, and then strained from the grounds to drink. Read more about how to make cold brew with VitaCup here!

If you haven’t heard the news already, we now have ground coffee! You asked and we delivered. So, if you have been thinking about trying out a new method for coffee brewing, but just couldn’t face giving up your VitaCup, now is your chance! Get your Genius Ground, Bagged Coffee Now!

What is your favorite way to make your coffee? Let us know in the comments below!