In today's coffee culture, there are so many ways in which the consumer can make their coffee. Trying to find the best equipment is not always an easy task.

A brief overview of the various brewing methods includes:

• percolators
• drip coffee makers
• French presses
• espresso makers

While it may not seem like such a big deal when you see them lined up next to each other, each brewing method lends a unique flavor to the coffee it makes and the fans of each are generally quite loyal to their preferred method.

Percolators are inexpensive coffee making devices, which may account for some degree of their popularity, even today. Some find percolators appealing because many (not all) of them can be used without electricity over a campfire, stove top, over wood stoves, etc. These are might convenient when camping or when suffering through prolonged power outages (really good to have if you live in a hurricane area and are dependent on your morning cup of Joe to say the least).

There are many who firmly believe that this is the absolute worst possible method for brewing coffee that it kills the flavor and that the water is simply too hot. There are also those that have been drinking coffee made in this manner for well over 30 or 40 years and aren't interested in coffee made from any other methods. I am of the camp that this coffee beats instant any day and if the lights are going to be out for an indefinite period of time, it's much better than going without.

Drip coffee makers are probably the most popular coffee makers sold in America. These brew by warming the water then letting it drip through a filter that holds the coffee grounds. Some feel that this is a much weaker cup of coffee and Europeans barely consider this to be coffee at all. But many American's can't get out of bed without the scent of coffee luring them to the kitchen for the first morning cup. Drip coffee makers are the most convenient and easy to use of all the coffee makers and for many that is the biggest plus there is. Starbucks is for the good stuff; the drip coffee maker is just enough to get the blood pumping in the morning.

The French press produces a unique flavor among coffee machines by having prolonged contact with the coffee grounds. While many find this method to be rather time consuming others find it absolutely the best method for making coffee. One of the best things about a French press coffee maker is the fact that you control almost every aspect of the coffee making process. You control how long the grounds are in contact with the water as well as the amount of grounds you use. This gives you the power of deciding exactly how strong or weak your coffee will be. The water is already heated with the French press so there is no worry of ruining the flavor by burning the coffee.

For those who prefer a little more out of their cups of coffee, there is the espresso machine. Espresso for many is the fine wine of the coffee family. For many Americans, however, espresso is a little bitter for our delicate palates. Those who acquire a taste for it though are never really satisfied with anything else. Which will lead them to purchase their very own espresso machine in order to have their favorite brew at their fingertips whenever they feel the need. For some this becomes part of the daily routine while for others, the extra steps involved in making espresso make it a special occasion drink. Whatever your choice, an espresso machine is not something I would recommend investing in unless you are certain you like the flavor it produces.

Whichever of these methods you ultimately choose for your first coffee maker it is important to keep in mind that you are not making a lifetime decision. As we grow and age and experience new things our tastes change and mature you may find that what once was your favorite is now a distant second as far as preference goes. The really good news is that any of these may be an investment but they are not as sizable of an investment as many of your larger appliances that you won't use nearly as often as your will your coffee maker. Your coffee maker is likely an appliance that you will use daily, it makes sense that you put a little bit of time and thought into choosing the right one for you.