Without a doubt, the best tasting homemade coffee comes from using a French press. If you haven't tried coffee this way before, you'll find that it brews a richer, bolder coffee without the bitterness of home brewed drip coffee. And, the flavor is even better than what you'll get at those expensive coffee chains.

The Bodum Chambord coffee press is a great choice and a popular brand in Europe. Best of all, it's very affordable. Depending on the size, you can purchase one for somewhere between $30 and $50.

It's so nice getting up in the morning and drinking a hot cup of coffee that tastes as delicious as what you'll get from this French gadget. I am a big fan of coffee and have been for many years. Prior to getting my press, I was drinking a flavored instant coffee, simply because I had grown tired of using my drip coffee machine and the flavor didn't cut it for me. This is not the case with the Bodum coffee press however.

What other benefits might you realize from owning and using a French press for coffee making?

It's very easy to use. All you need to do is put 1 tbsp. of coarsely ground (very important) coffee into the pot for every 4 oz of water, then fill the pot with very hot (but not boiling) water. Next, place the plunger on the top of the pot and close the lid. Let it sit for 4 minutes and then slowly push down on the plunger.

It takes up much less space that a drip coffee machine.

This press makes a great birthday or holiday gift. Chances are that most of your coffee drinking family and friends already own a drip coffee maker so that this is something that's a little different.

What's the downside?

Although there is some extra effort required if you are going to begin using a French press to make your coffee, it's totally worth it. And, the extra effort is minimal.

Do be careful when it's time to plunge the coffee. Please make sure that you have the spout turned away from you. Otherwise, if you plunge too eagerly, you may end up spewing hot coffee all over yourself.

Cleaning the plunger can be a bit of a hassle but as long as you empty the pot and plunger over the garbage can, you'll avoid getting the coffee grounds all over the place. Do make sure that you clean the parts thoroughly after each use to avoid a build up of residue that can affect the flavor of your coffee.