Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend. motortrend.com

How do you make it? I’m all about convenience, so two devices changed my life in 2012. As a birthday presents from my parents, I received a simple Hamilton Beach electric kettle, which I disdained at first (I’m a bit of retro grouch when it comes to kitchen tools; I favor technique over toys) but found to be incredibly quick on-the-boil and oddly stress relieving. I’m a bachelor and travel a lot, so the auto-off function means never having to sit on plane worrying that I left the stove on… The second device was an Aeropress from my cousin Alan. This was equally life changing. I had experimented with regular drip machines in my wasted youth, before discovering the strength and simplicity of the French press. My only qualms with the French press is that clean up is kind of a mess (I have been advised not to rinse grinds down the drain after an unfortunate and expensive sink clogging incident). Not to sound too much like a commercial, but the AP solves this main gripe, and makes a fine cuppa cawfee. To actually answer your question, my routine is simple: 1. Boil water in the electric kettle.

2. Grind beans in my 20-year-old Mr. Coffee electric grinder (or use any pre-ground stuff I have left in the freezer)

3. One full scoop into the Aeropress, which is about equal to a single shot of espresso.

4. Fill to the top with boiling hot water.

5. Paper filter (versus metal — to reduce cleaning).

6. Wait 30 seconds? A minute? For my electric toothbrush to pulse twice indicating that I’ve brushed long enough…?

7. Invert my dope double-walled Bodum glasses (another gift, notice a theme here?) on top.

8. Press down (paying absolutely no attention to the speed or foam or whatever). Maybe add water to make an Americano.

9. Pop the coffee ground and filter paper “puck” out into my compost bucket (apparently earthworms love the buzz from coffee too).

10. Rinse the filter holder and two-part syringe and let dry on the kitchen window sill. *Please note that it took me about four times as long to write this out as it actually takes to do it.

How do you take it? Strong and black. Like my __________.

# of cups in a day? It varies quite a bit. The latter half of last year was pretty rough for me; so I found myself doing 2-3 strong cups a day. Morning and, 3pm-ish, and then at night when cleaning the inbox. Since the New Year, and my new BADASS BLENDER PURCHASE, I’ve basically detoxed. Don’t need it in the morning, and drink socially in the afternoon. I expect to be back on 2/day round mid-summer when things start to get rough again.

When do you drink it? See question above.

Any coffee loyalties? No. In fact, my lack of loyalties, reverence, attention to coffee making details really pisses off the coffee snobs at work (Hi Jim!). One of the first things I did (and still do) with the Aeropress was find the cheapest, crappiest pre-ground coffee to put into to it, just to see if can make a decent cup of Joe. And you know what? It does. I’ve tried a bunch of the cheapo canned stuff and even Mylar bag crap they leave out in motels.

What’s your routine? In the mornings it’s usual, you know: brush my teef, change my shirt a couple of times, clear the history on my web browser (oops). At Motor Trend Global Headquarters and Central Command, we usually do a coffee break around 3:00-3:30. We share a parking lot with Starbucks, so they know most of our team by name over there. It’s not great quality, but it provides a “screen break” to our art department (my usual cohort) and time to talk shit be collegial.

What do you like most about it? Triggers the poop reflex in the morning. Helps me power through my inbox in the afternoon/evening. Provides an opportunity to talk shit and be collegial with my staff.

Favorite coffee shop? Oooh, I have a few: 1. Blue Bottle in Mint Plaza, San Francisco CA, because my brother’s office is right around the corner.

2. Banh Mi Che Cali in Westminster, CA. Can’t beat a super strong Café Su Da and banh mi dac biet for like $4.50.

3. Deus Ex Machina in Venice, CA. Café racer motos, surfboards, open air seating and some seriously good snacks.

Most memorable cup? When I first started in the biz in 2001, I worked for various Japanese tuner magazines and would occasionally go overseas to visit parts manufacturers and tuning shops in Tokyo and Yokohama — from big ones like HKS and Rays Wheels to little underground tuner shops. One thing that struck me as odd was not that you get offered coffee at the beginning of every business meeting in Japan (same as the US), but that it will generally be some of the foulest crap you have ever tasted. Typically jet black, often sludgy, definitely instant with powdered creamer and sugar on offer as well. Combine in a little JDM-sized cup and you have a tar-like substance that churns my stomach as I write this. But I’d always drink it to be polite (social pressure, hai) and because I’d typically be suffering from horrendous jet lag. Even now, on trips to Japan with big automakers, you’ll get the offer of crap coffee. Still strikes me as weird for a country with more Michelin-starred restaurants than France.

Has coffee ever done you wrong? Once, maybe? In college, I made the mistake of downing some Starbucks mocha frappucino nonsense on an empty stomach after studying all night for an Organic Chemistry midterm. I remember a sickly cold sensation in my stomach and being so jittery/wired I thought I could see the future. I ended up totally bombing the midterm, which contributed to my failing grade in the class, which nuked my GPA and prevented me from getting into medical school. Is that wrong though? I dunno, life’s pretty good at Motor Trend, so THANKS STARBUCKS.

Ever tried to quit or switch? You know how some people have “addictive personalities?” That’s not me. I don’t have a problem going cold turkey on coffee: no headaches, no withdrawal; no cravings for the taste or buzz. Now pork products — there I do have a problem.