It's always a great idea to support local coffee shops, experiencing different menus and environments, and finding new go-to spots. At the same time, though, there are benefits to making your own coffee at home. Sometimes weather gets in the way, sometimes you don't have time to make it to a café before work. Here are some reasons why this shouldn't put a damper on your mood, and why home coffee can be just as delicious and effective as your barista's brew.
Personalized to your tastes, every time
Whether you're making coffee all by hand or with the assistance of an espresso machine, the personalization that you get from making coffee at home is unmatched. You know how sweet (or unsweet!) you enjoy your drinks, or how strong you like your coffee. This is all controlled by you when you're the one behind the counter.
Pick your favourite coffee beans and syrups, so the taste of the coffee is perfect each time you make it.
If you have a superautomatic espresso machine, like a JURA, home coffee doesn't lose its personality in personalization. You get to choose your beans and syrups here as well, in addition to there being so many product settings to adjust and save, so that your customized recipe doesn't get lost.
Benefits to your health
Speaking of choosing the ingredients that are going into your drink, there are some benefits to your health that you can get from making your own coffee drinks at home. Knowing exactly what is put in each coffee (as you're the one choosing the ingredients!) lets you have insights on how much sugar and caffeine is included in each cup, among other values.
When choosing a drink from a menu at a café, it might not always be so clear what they're made of. Even between different cafés, the ingredients may differ. Being a home barista eliminates this concern and can help you be more health-conscious.
Experiment, experiment, experiment!
Not only with flavours, but with measurements and extraction as well. Making coffee at home is the perfect time to try different variables in your coffee to see which recipe fits you best and which ingredients work best together.
Try different brew methods! Of course, we specialize in some great espresso machines, so we might be biased… but there are tons of other methods that you can try your hand at, like drip coffee or the pour-over method. For some inspiration, take a look at this video we shot with our Coffee Expert, Reza, making a drink using the AeroPress technique:
Getting more familiar with different flavours (tip: SCA's Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel is a great way to identify the different notes of your coffee!), different textures, and different techniques will not only let you identify your favourite ones, but also more knowledgeable overall as a home barista.
Saving money, and time
It's no secret that buying coffee from a coffee shop can get costly, especially if it's a part of your regular routine. By buying beans in bulk and investing in coffee equipment that you can use over a long period of time, daily savings from making coffee at home will build up and transform from savings of cents to savings of hundreds of dollars. So, not only are you learning how to make drinks of your own creation, but you're keeping some money in your wallet.
Coffee is often a stop on the way to work in many people's morning routines, and it can be nice to have this established routine. However, you can also achieve this routine by making drinks at home--a relaxing morning ritual in your kitchen, and one that can save time, too.
With a superautomatic espresso machine, all it takes is the press of a button to get your coffee ready in the morning. Hassle-free, time-saving, and it results in a freshly brewed cup, just like going to the coffee shop would. Even if you still wanted to take a visit to a café here and there, brewing a cup at home is perfect for those days where you might be low on energy, where the weather may not be so motivating, or when you're simply running behind on time.
Taking steps to help the planet
Using your own reusable cup is an excellent way to reduce waste through your coffee consumption. Instead of single-use plastic cups for your iced coffee, having a glass to use at home or a portable mug that accompanies you on your day out is such a simple way of living more sustainably.
With manual methods, such as the AeroPress as we showed earlier, less energy is used as well (because it comes from you!). Get a quick mini workout in by using hand grinders such as Comandante C40 Nitro Blades and use your own capabilities to reduce energy consumption and your own carbon footprint.
Whether you've been a home barista for a while or have never tried your hand at making coffee at home, there are several reasons why you should consider taking it up as a hobby or as part of your routine. Home coffee can be just as delicious as the drinks you buy at a café, and you can take pride in knowing that you are the one who served yourself a great cup.
