A revolution has been brewing in the workplace among coffee drinkers unwilling to settle for the break room sludge . For some of them, pod machines and single-serve cups provide the illusion of a superior product. Others swear by the French press method, which has traditionally reigned supreme as the alternative to automatic coffee makers. Now, more hand-brewed coffees from devices like pour-overs and the Aeropress are popping up in home kitchens and cubicles alike. Even in the CNN.com break room, the buzz of a coffee grinder has become a regular morning fixture. But why the fuss? “The first thing that drives people to these alternatives is improved taste. While pod machines and ready-to-brew cups are simple and fast, they can't begin to touch the quality of a freshly roasted, ground and brewed cup of truly quality coffee,” says David LaMont, who works with Counter Culture Coffee in Atlanta, which sources coffee from around the world and roasts it in the United States. He also teaches classes on coffee education and preparation. Up your coffee vocabulary “People are always looking for ways of reintroducing handcrafted arts into their lives as a counter to the convenient but often over-produced items that we so heavily rely upon,” LaMont says. “Someone may not want to give up their kitchen stove in exchange for an open fire in the backyard, but they can trade up to a simple drip cone and freshly ground coffee without a lot of added headache or trouble.” It's a skill set that casual coffee drinkers are seeking out with increasing enthusiasm. On a recent rainy Sunday at the 2012 Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, LaMont and three Atlanta baristas demonstrated the use of a pour-over, or a cone-shaped dripper in which coffee and water are slowly combined and drained through a filter. They talked up the benefits of buying locally roasted beans and grinding them yourself in order to yield a crisper cup of coffee. As they passed out wet filters for the ceramic drip cones, the quartet waxed poetic on the virtues of treating coffee like the fruit it is. As participants waited in between pours for their coffee to “bloom,” LaMont politely urged them to ditch coffee pods, if not for the sake of quality then for the environmental and financial benefits. The politics of the office coffee pot “I find that once a person is willing to give a pour-over a try with all the right equipment, [he or she] always end up getting hooked,” says Empire State South Coffee Program Manager Emily Letia , who coached participants as they slowly poured water from a kettle in a circular motion into the cone. “The key is having everything you need before you make a judgement on the pour-over. That's a good grinder, a pour-over device… the correct filters, and a kettle. I haven't met someone interested and willing that has gone back to their coffee maker after diving in to manual brewing.” Pour-overs seem to be the most popular manual brewing method, second only to French press, which involves combining hot water and grounds in a special carafe, then pressing down a plunger to halt the process. But Letia finds interest in all kinds of forms is growing with the proliferation of venues dedicated to the science of brewing. LaMont has also noticed the upswing. “A few years back, the vast majority of the people we taught at the Counter Culture Training Center in Atlanta came to us to learn about espresso-making and barista skills. Now we get just as many if not more attendees interested in learning about the basic science of non-espresso brewing.” Factors such as price, convenience and control tend to dictate which method people favor, LaMont says, and offers some words of wisdom: French press: The carafe and plunger combination is easily the most popular among the general public because it's easy to use and widely available. But, it tends to produce a silty cup of coffee with a muddy bottom that is often under-brewed, which is why many professionals and home enthusiasts look for alternatives. Pour-over: Many of today's hand drip cones are based on a simple 110 year-old design that originated with Melitta Bentz in Germany. Most cone-shaped drippers produce (arguably) equally great coffee, regardless of whether it's a $2 plastic Melitta cone or an $80 hand-made ceramic. From there, it's a matter of perfecting the technique using coffee of a coarse grind, a pre-wetted filter and a pour with the right kind of kettle. Aeropress: The Aeropress has morphed from its original design as a pseudo espresso maker into the most portable, unbreakable brewer around. It doesn't rely on a nice pouring kettle, making it one of the more approachable brewers. Chemex: Among American designs, few brewers hold the pedigree of Peter Schlumbohm's Chemex. Part of MoMA's permanent collection, it is one of the older and still most elegantly designed. It consists of an hourglass-shaped glass flask with a conical neck that uses a thicker filter than you'd find on a standard drip coffee filter. The coffee is made by placing the filter and grounds in the neck of the flask, heating water in a separate vessel and “blooming” the grounds with a small amount of water to moisten them before pouring the rest of the water over the grounds. Vacuum pots: There are a few die-hard users of “vac pots” or siphons. Most of the time, they are beautiful, two-piece brewers made of blown glass that require an extra degree of skill and knowledge to perfect. Used properly, they can quickly brew a clean, refined cup of coffee and impress dinner guests. Sadly, they are expensive, easily breakable, and a pain to clean. If someone is interested in testing the waters of home brewing, LaMont says to consider the following as an order of importance when it comes to purchases and investments: 1. Buy good, fresh coffee . 2. Invest in a good burr grinder (Baratza, KitchenAid) and spend about $120 or more. 3. Purchase a sturdy, nice-looking drip cone or Chemex. 4. A pouring kettle designed for coffee-making isn't an absolute necessity, but almost (Bonavita, Takahiro, Kalita, Tiamo). Once you've got the tools, start brewing and drinking, LaMont advises. If the coffee tastes great, then sit back and enjoy. If it doesn't taste as good as the coffee shop in your area that brews on the same equipment, then drop in and ask them for pointers. Most shops, especially those that are preparing hand-brewed coffee, are going to be willing to share a lot of their tips and techniques and probably even diagnose what's going wrong with your brew. Take Our Poll Got a favorite method or something that's stumping you? Pour out your heart in the comments and we'll do our best to help. Previously – Study says coffee makes you live longer and Pod people: tweaking office coffee

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Want great coffee for less? Take matters into your own hands

The prime minister tells MPs he will resist a European Court ruling to give prisoners the right to vote in UK elections.

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UK to fight prisoner votes ruling

PHILADELPHIA — The final, fraying vestiges of the Philadelphia Phillies ’ superiority over the Washington Nationals unraveled Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies sent to the mound Roy Halladay , more obelisk than pitcher, their ace, the right-hander whom the Nationals had never beaten. He proved just as helpless as the rest of his teammates from preventing the sudden reversal of a rivalry. Read full article > >

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Nationals vs. Phillies: Washington retakes NL East lead by beating Roy Halladay for the first time

Maryland’s highest court decided Friday that even though same-sex couples aren’t yet able to marry in the state, they do have the right to divorce. The Court of Appeals announced its decision in the case of Jessica Port and Virginia Anne Cowan , two women in their 20s who were married in California in 2008 and filed for divorce in Prince George’s County two years later. A circuit court judge refused to grant the divorce, writing that it would be “contrary to the public policy of Maryland.” Read full article > >

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Maryland court allows same-sex divorce

The first rule of magazine covers is: Make ’em pay attention. Stop them at the checkout stand, at the mailbox or while walking down the street. Does that image — the half-naked celebrity, the airbrushed model, the outrageous headline — turn heads? Does it make subscribers want to read and non-readers want to buy? Does it make them angry? If so, you’re on the right track. Read full article > >

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Newsweek’s Obama cover: Does controversy sell?

GREENSBORO, N.C. — John Edwards takes mincing, careful steps now, not the long strides of the triumphant. He shuffles to the right, but lawyers deep in conversation block the way, somehow not even noticing him. He pads to the left in his sensible, soft-soled shoes but is trapped by red leather chairs and an L-shaped defense table wedged into a tight corner in an even tighter federal courtroom. Read full article > >

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John Edwards endures two-pronged trial, testing his morals and his actions

“The more we know, the more likely we are to do the right things.” That’s scientist and researcher Peter Gleick, speaking toward the end of “Last Call at the Oasis,” a galvanizing documentary about water and its impending urgencies — the harrowing lack of it and the deadly contamination of what remains. Read full article > >

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Essay: Participant Media invents an activist aesthetic

The Argentine Senate passes a law that gives terminally ill patients the right to refuse treatment.

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Argentina backs ‘dignified death’

“Move with purpose, not to impress,” the chef begins his tutorial. “A smooth arc, slicing in a clean motion. Move the knife away from yourself, to the right of your hip.” Exposing the pig’s shoulder, teasing a flexible blade against the bone, Jason Story sets his feet just so. To his left stands a tentative, wide-eyed, would-be apprentice. Read full article > >

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Chefs and the charcuterie gap

A test checking that an embryo has the right genetic information could significantly boost the number of IVF pregnancies, a UK company says.

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Embryo test ‘raises IVF success’

A brother and sister from Germany, who had an incestuous relationship and claimed the right to a family life, lose their case at the European Court of Human Rights.

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German incest pair lose in court

The right-wing extremist who confessed to killing 77 people in a bomb and shooting rampage in Norway is not criminally insane, a psychiatric assessment found Tuesday, contradicting an earlier examination.

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Norway Killer Found Sane in New Examination

5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. If you can eat it, you can stack it between two pieces of bread. Peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese are layered masterpieces in their own right, but who are we to limit the infinite works of the esteemed sandwich artist? Ratha Chaupoly and Ben Daitz of Num Pang Sandwich Shop want to brighten up your spectrum of sandwich possibilities. Five Ways to Spice Up Your Sandwich: 1. Find the right bread match “The bread selection for a sandwich is of the utmost importance. Not only does it act as a transportation vehicle for whatever is inside , but it can also provide a hearty textural contrast. An important consideration when selecting bread is what the sandwich features inside. The more moist and saucy the insides are, the more rugged and crunchy the bread needs to be otherwise one can be left with a big ol' mess before the sandwich gets off the cutting board. If your sandwiches feature an array of condiments, pickles, and moist meats, take an already relatively stiff baguette and toast it; this effectively hardens the outside of the bread and helps to keep the good stuff in.” 2. Brighten it up with fresh herbs “Fresh herbs can take your sandwich to a whole other level – it lifts it up from the fourth dimension to the fifth. You could use it as a marinade for your meat, chicken or fish, and then again in its fresh form in the sandwich. Cilantro, basil, dill and mint are our favorites, and if you can find Cambodian or Vietnamese mint (also known as laksa mint), even better. Use it to make a spicy mint lime rub and marinate chicken in it for an awesome summer picnic sandwich.” Spicy Mint and Lime Rub 1 bunch Cambodian mint 1 cup lime juice 1/4 cup light oil (soy or corn oil) Pinch black pepper 2 whole dry chilies 2 cloves garlic 2 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon salt Pinch sugar Combine all ingredients in a blender until finely chopped. Use as a rub or marinade. 3. Salad on your sandwich “While we love the usual tomatoes , lettuce and onions on our sandwiches, you don’t need to limit your sandwich toppings to just those standard choices. The right vegetables (and fruit!) can add a clean, crisp freshness to your savory sandwiches. One of our favorites is sprouts – there are so many different kinds of sprouts to choose from, and we tend to go for the spicier or nuttier ones such as radish or sunflower. The same goes for fruit – in the summer, add grilled peaches to a bacon sandwich, and glazed pork goes great with a slice of Asian pear on top.” 4. Creative condiments “Our favorite tip – we love a sloppy sandwich! Nothing’s wrong with the ol' standbys like mayo, mustard or ketchup, but consider playing around with them a bit. Add things like chili sauce (we like Sambal Oelek, but even Sriracha or Frank’s Red Hot sauce could work), horseradish, vinegar or lime juice to your favorite condiments to create a sauce that’s to your own taste. You can put our own specialty, house-made chili mayo or chili yogurt on almost everything – sandwiches, grilled corn , veggies, etc.” Chili Soy Mayo Makes 1 gallon 1/2 gallon soy milk 3 quarts soy oil 2 1/2 cups sambal chili paste 1 Tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon spicy mustard Pinch black pepper In a large bowl, combine soy milk, sugar, salt, mustard, black pepper. With a hand blender, slowly drizzle in the oil. It's very important to make sure the oil is at a slow drizzle until it begins to thicken and look like mayonnaise. Then, add oil at a slow steady stream. Let settle for 20 minutes. Add sambal and mix (add less sambal if you prefer it less spicy). 5. DIY Pickles “Pickles make every sandwich better, and we’re constantly playing around with fun, new pickle ideas for the various seasons – from traditional quick-pickled carrots year-round to pickled ramps in the spring and pickled apples in the fall. They’re so easy to make at home, and DIY pickles can turn a regular sandwich into a party. Just take your favorite vegetables or fruit and add them to a mix of acid (usually vinegar), sugar, salt and spices. We like adding Southeast Asian spices to our pickling mixes and toss in some coriander, ginger and cumin to taste. Sandwiches that tend to have rich proteins like grilled steak or brisket need to remain the star of the show, but finding the right pickle complement can cut through the richness and provide the perfect bright balance that make you crave your next bite.” Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.

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5@5 – Spice up your sandwich

“ Game of Thrones ” kicked off its second season with bloodshed, power struggles and struggles with power already obtained. With the death of King Robert Baratheon, everyone and his brother was trying to claim the right to the Iron Throne. The premiere caught us up on almost every major player who is vying to be king, as well as a handful of new characters. Here’s the rundown. Read full article > >

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‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 premiere: ‘There’s a king in every corner now’

Kate Krader ( @kkrader on Twitter ) is Food & Wine's restaurant editor. When she tells us where to find our culinary heart's desire, we listen up. So, have you heard that Taco Bell bought the rights to Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell? They’ll be renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. According to the Museum of Hoaxes – which I’d consider an expert on the subject – that 1996 prank, complete with full-page newspaper ads, is No. 4 on the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes. Other food-related gags on the list include the Left-Handed Whopper at No. 7. Burger King “announced” that it was rotating all its ingredients 180 degrees for their left-handed customers and then got thousands of requests for those burgers, as well as for right-handed ones. And at No. 1, the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest. In 1957, the BBC said that, thanks to a mild winter, Swiss farmers had a bumper crop of spaghetti; the accompanying photos of people picking spaghetti strands off trees is hilarious. All of which goes to show that you can have a lot of fun playing April Fools' Day food-related jokes, so share your potential pranks in the comments and you too might make it onto the Top 100 Hoaxes list. More from Food & Wine : 50 Best Bars in America Best Pizza Places in the U.S. Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S. America’s Best Coffee Bars Easter Recipes

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Pity the April fool who falls for these food hoaxes