Today we have a break from our regular programming of philosophical waxings. Let's talk coffee.

Coffee is life. Who knew that bitter drink you tasted and hated as a kid would become your most addictive daily ritual (besides the meth)?

I've been making my own cup of coffee every morning for almost ten years now. The same damn way, every time. It's how I start my day. In fact, I'm sitting with my freshly brewed cup in my mug from Granada right now as I write.

So what's my secret recipe for the perfect coffee? Come along with me, young Padawan, and I'll show you the ways of the Force.

Before we begin, here's what you'll need:

• Whole coffee beans
• Kitchen scale
• Small coffee grinder
• French press (12oz for a one-person serving)
• Kettle (ideally one with temperature control)
• Timer
• Stirrer (wooden or plastic)

Here are the ones that I use:

• Light roast beans from High Wire Coffee in Alameda
• Amazon Basics kitchen scale
• Cuisinart grinder
• Bodum 12oz French press (suitable for one cup)
• Fellow temperature-controlled kettle
• Cheap timer off Amazon (I prefer this to my phone so it keeps me off my phone in the morning)
• A small wooden stirrer

The steps:

1. Heat the kettle to 196 degrees Fahrenheit (91 degrees Celsius).
2. Take the lid off the coffee grinder and place it on the scale.
3. Tare the scale (so that the weight of the grinder lid is not accounted for).
4. Pour in 0.6oz of beans (this is the amount of beans suitable for one serving for one person).
5. Place the beans in the grinder and grind to a coarse thickness (not too fine!).
6. Place the ground beans into the French press.
7. Pour the heated water into the French press, leaving some headroom for the lid and filter to sit comfortably.
8. Stir the beans for a few seconds.
9. Place the lid back on (do not plunge yet).
10. Start your 4-minute timer and WAIT.
11. Plunge the filter gently down.
12. Pour into your favorite mug.
13. Enjoy your perfectly brewed French press coffee!