Best method of making real coffee for one

I buy coffee bags, just like tea bags, put one in a mug, pour on boiling water, take it out a few minutes later and there is a mug of coffee, takes no counter space only shelf space for the bags,

Alternatively use a cafetiere, almost as simple, but does require a mug sized space to store it.

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Thank you Grandma TK

aeropress without any doubt. I binned my french press

You are given a free recycling service. They provide bags for you to return spent pods. Free.
Can I suggest a shot of strong expresso is lovely poured over vanila ice-cream for a summer dessert.

Beameup- does nespresso use plastic pods?

Nespresso. Why use anything else? Instant Coffee is disgusting.

Yes we might have used it more if it had been in the kitchen.

annep1 - I bet that was one of the "cona" types then. I remember those. The early ones were glass.

PamelaJ1 - ah yes, an Espresso type machine. I know what you mean. What a pity you didn't know about it in time!

Hi Tweedle. There is a lengthy explanation of the similarities and differences here: coffeeblog.co.uk/aeopress-vs-cafetiere-french-press/

I'd sum it up by saying the Aeropress produces stronger coffee than a cafetière (which can be watered down with boiling water) in a much quicker time. It also makes just one cup/mug full at a time.

Not spaghetti,
An integrated machine about the size of a very large microwave with a milk frother(?) and coffee grinder.

I had not heard of the Aeropress until this post. How does the method differ from a cafetière?

Notspaghetti If memory serves me right coffee was put into a container at the top. Water went up a central tube and soaked through the coffee. We used to love going into the cofffee shop and choosing beans which were then ground for us.

I think the percolator lets the coffee go round and round annep1. Could be wrong but my mother-in-law has a 60s one that circulates.

The Bialetti, on the other hand, has two "chambers". The bottom one has a valve. The water boils at the bottom and is forced under pressure through the ground coffee into the chamber at the top.

I love ours. Makes great coffee.

The hob thing is a percolator. We had one in 1970 which my husband's grandmother brought from Italy (she was Italian.) I had never seen one before.

Another vote for the Aeropress! It does need a bit of welly to press the plunger down, but it makes delicious coffee.

The stove top pots don't boil the coffee - they boil the water which spurts the steam up into the coffee grounds.

Good luck with the cholesterol.

I've got one of those little Italian pots - forget what they're called - that sit on the hob. It was a present, mini size, nice pale green colour - and makes a v nice cup quickly.

You should never boil coffee (think the stove top ones do that) You get cholesterol inducing stuff that way.

Yes, I couldn't use mine when my back was bad. (Aeropress)

It makes good coffee but so fiddly! cba with it.

Any old jug and a fine mesh strainer is fine.

I gave my Aeropress away! It does produce great coffee and is easy peasy to clean, but it hurt my back too much to press the plunger down!

Thanks GrandmaKT for the info. I thought so. Shame. Everyone I know loves it.

J52, I'm convinced. Either one and the same, or identical and separated at birth!

Wow OP, you've had about as many different methods as you have had replies!
annepl, yes, it does require a bit of strength to push the plunger down. On mornings when I am feeling weak, I press it down with my chin!
Another advantage of Aeropress I forgot to mention is that the grounds come out in a kind of 'cake' which can go straight in the food recycling or the garden.