Ok. Here we go. My blood runs black with java, so I figure I'll chime in.
1. Regular drip is the way to go on the cheap. Get a gold-plated basket style filter and wash it often, and make sure *all* the soap is gone. Nonbleached paper is next best. Bleached paper leaves an aftertaste.
2. French press is *really* good but *really* labor intensive.
3. Percolators boil coffee. Period. Bad mojo, though I've had a few miraculously good pots before.
4. For storebought, it's hard to beat Chock Full O' Nuts.
5. Mill grinders instead of blade. Beating your beans to death is bad.
6. My favorite? Ethiopian blended 50/50 with some Kenyan AA. Sumatran is good if you like earthy/fruity coffee. "fruity" means kind of acidic, or tangy. Earthy means... tastes like dirt
It's not a bad thing though.
Now, these are personalized tastes... I can't stand a case of the bitters, must have been poisoned in a past life. I think it's sad that the pot or pot and a half I drink through the day is generic overheated swill, but it's much better than chugging soda, even diet soda since that's still full of mind-altering substances (phenylalanines). But my first two cups are the day, I can make that as good as I want
PS don't refrigerate the beans. My local roaster taught me that. Just keep 'em in the ~airtight bag they came in.