If you've run out of filters or don't have a coffee machine to hand, you don't have to go without your morning cup of coffee. You can also use alternative methods to make normal instant coffee and don't have to resort to instant coffee.

Anything made from fine, white (clean!) cotton can be used as an alternative coffee filter. Cut a large circle out of the fabric (about 15cm in diameter). Make a few small incisions around the edge to which you can attach a string to tighten the filter. Now heap the coffee powder in the centre of the circle and tie the fabric with the string to form a bag. The coffee bag can now be hung in the cup like a tea bag and the boiling water poured over it. When the coffee has reached the desired colour, remove the homemade filter.

Firm kitchen paper is also suitable instead of cotton. Lay the kitchen paper out twice on the bottom of the cup. The paper must lie directly on the bottom of the cup so that it does not tear when the water is added. The paper must come far up the sides of the cup to catch the coffee grounds. Pile the coffee grounds onto the cake paper and pour on the boiling water. Leave the coffee grounds to infuse for about a minute. Then carefully gather the kitchen paper at the ends and pull it out so that the coffee grounds are also lifted out. The coffee will take a few seconds to drip completely through the paper. Be careful when pulling the kitchen paper out of the cup, as the water vapour and the paper are very hot.

If you have a fully functional filter machine, you can simply place the kitchen paper where the coffee filter normally sits. 

Tips: Brewing coffee by drawing the coffee powder in the cup without passing it through the coffee machine uses a little more coffee powder to give the coffee the right strength.