coffee

    THERE are so-called "experts" who try to tell us that there is only one way to make coffee. There are many methods and many kinds of coffee. Some people like their coffee as strong as lye, others as pallid as dishwater. If your taste is for very strong or very weak coffee, though, I suggest that you serve guests instant coffee of average strength since they will probably not like the kind you brew.

   Here are some general rules for brewing good coffee of average strength.

   1. Keep your coffee-maker sparkling clean. Never let coffee stand in it for any length of time. Rinse with cold water and always scrub it after using.

   2. Start with fresh, cold water, which you then bring to a good rolling boil.

   3. Allow one standard coffee measure (the plastic coffee measuring spoons or two measuring tablespoonsful) of fresh coffee to a cup of water.

   4. Always brew the full capacity of your coffee-maker for best results.

   5. Never let the coffee itself boil, except when making the woods men's choice-old-fashioned, boiled coffee.

   6. Be sure your coffee is ground properly for your particular coffee-maker.

   7. Serve only coffee that is freshly brewed.

   Now, go ahead and make your coffee the way you like best, drip, percolator, vacuum, or what you will. When you make drip coffee always remember to stir the coffee thoroughly before pouring to insure an even brew. Don't perk percolator coffee too long. After the water has boiled, put the required amount of coffee in the basket and then percolate gently for 6 to 8 minutes. Never wash the cloth filters of your vacuum pot with soap.

Boiled Coffee

   Coffee made this way is good anywhere, but particularly adaptable to the fireplace type of cooking. Here's how to do it:

   Boil 1 1/4 cups of water per cup. Beat an egg lightly. Mix a very little of this with 2 tablespoons regular grind coffee per cup to make a crumb-like consistency. Put into the boiling water and boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add a little cold water and a pinch of salt. Let the whole settle. Serve at once.

Iced Coffee

   Iced coffee is best made from coffee of double strength poured hot over plenty of ice cubes. Have it with cream, even whipped cream, like an ice cream soda if you want to. But try it sometime just as it is without sugar or cream. It's one of the most thirst-quenching drinks there is.

tea

   The tea you use is a matter of taste. There are many kinds to suit many tastes. I happen to dislike tea bags, which, to my mind, squeeze the expanding leaves and make it imposible to produce a really fine infusion, such as you get when the tea leaves are free in a pot.