Home Stories Handmade vs Machine-Made Coffee: Which One Is Better?

Handmade vs Machine-Made Coffee: Which One Is Better?

Coffee is an incredibly popular beverage. In fact, a lot of people cannot start their day without a cup. However, when it comes to a cup of coffee, does convenience or taste win out? Obviously, choosing to use a coffeemaker Manual machine is far more convenient than making the cup by hand. However, handmade coffee, while it might take longer, often tastes better. In short, there are advantages and disadvantages to both, but which one wins out? Let’s take a look.

Brewing Times

For the most part, a coffee machine is quicker than making coffee by hand. However, it does depend on the form of coffee that you would use to brew by hand or the machine. Some machines need supervising, and some do not. It really depends on how you take your coffee. For example, if you prefer iced coffee, then this will need to be taken into account.

You can also learn how to make cold brew coffee from sources like Cup and Bean, it might take longer, but it requires less human oversight. Some machines can also be programmed to start themselves at a specific time every day so that the coffee is ready for you. If you choose to make the cup yourself, then it can be a longer, more involved process that you will need to be there for, for the most part.

Size

Another important factor to consider is how much space is going to be taken up in your kitchen. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, then a machine can be a little bulky and take up space that you can’t afford to give away because the machine often needs to live on the countertop. However, the equipment needed for handmade coffee is often easily packed away into cupboards.

The Expense

Which option is more cost-effective – purchasing a machine or making the coffee from scratch every day? There are a number of machines out there at a range of price points. Obviously, the more expensive machines tend to be more hi-tech, but the cheaper machines work just as well. You will still need some equipment even if you choose to make the coffee by hand; you will need a kettle and perhaps a French press or something like that.

Other than that, the day-to-day expenses are somewhat similar in that both options mean that you will need to purchase the coffee, milk, creamer, and any other ingredients that you need to make the coffee to your taste. Unless you have a pod coffee machine, in which case you obviously need to purchase the pods, which in itself can be somewhat expensive.

Cleanliness

Obviously, regardless of whether you use a machine or whether you make your coffee by hand, the equipment used will still need to be cleaned. Depending on the machine that you have, cleaning it can be a challenge. Some machines require special cleaning products, whereas some can be set onto a cleaning cycle that cleans the machines without any input from you.

Making coffee by hand usually uses less equipment, and the equipment that it does use is often really easy to clean. They can be washed alongside your other dishes. Cleaning is important because otherwise, you get buildup which can impact the taste of the coffee.

Safety & Ease Of Use

The next thing to think about is the safety of each option and which one is easier. Obviously, when it comes to making coffee, you are dealing with hot water, and there is always the risk of burns and accidents if you aren’t being careful.

Most coffee machines do have some inbuilt safety features to safeguard you when using them. Again, though, it comes down to vigilance. Some coffee machines can be set to work when you aren’t in the room with automatic shut-offs and timers, which can mean that the brewing process is done, and the coffee is ready for you. Making coffee by hand might be a little riskier.

The Taste

Working out whether machine-made or handmade coffee tastes better really comes down to personal preference, among other things like the ingredients used and brewing method. If you aren’t buying quality ingredients, then any cup made won’t taste that great. Fresh ingredients are imperative, as are the form of coffee and the intensity of the roast.

Other than that, most people tend to think handmade coffee tastes better simply because it affords the maker a greater level of control over the final product. You can really tailor make the cup to your preferences and ensure that it suits your tastes. That being said, if you like the coffee that the machine makes, then it might be a non-issue.

Health & Coffee

Finally, whether you choose to make your coffee in a machine or by hand, there are a few health implications that you should be aware of. Coffee consumption is said to play a role in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, weight management, and even helping to promote brain health. That being said, it really does depend on how much coffee you choose to consume on a daily basis.

Drinking too much coffee can increase symptoms of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression by making the heart race. It can also make it more difficult to sleep at night, causing insomnia and fatigue. Drinking too much coffee on a regular basis can also lead to a dependence whereby you struggle to get through your day-to-day life without some form of caffeine.

The Final Verdict

So, which is better: machine-made coffee or handmade coffee? Truthfully, this is a tricky question to answer because the answer can change on a person-to-person basis because there are a number of factors which affect the answer. Think about where your tastes lie. Is the taste of the coffee the most important thing to you? If so, handmade coffee might be better. If you value convenience, then machine-made coffee might be better.