Ten years ago, the choice of brewing method you choose was almost certain: Americano or Espresso. Today, there are many options available. What roast do you prefer? Cold brew? AeroPress?
Let’s look at each coffee brewing method and hopefully get you excited about the type of coffee you can brew using some of the best brewing tools.
There are three standard methods of brewing coffee. The difference between the methods is how the ground coffee is combined with water.
These methods include steeping, pressure, and dripping/filtration.
These are methods that involve the use of intense pressure when extracting coffee. The technique is popular with people who are looking to get a quick cup of strong coffee.
The common pressure-based methods include espresso (achieved by pushing hot water, around 200°F at 8-9atmospheres through ground coffee), Moka pot and vacuum coffee brewing.
The steeping or coffee immersion method involves directly mixing ground coffee with water and allowing the mix to stand for some time for the extraction magic to happen. Once the coffee grounds have been steeped long enough, a filter is then used to do the separation so that you are left with uniquely flavoured coffee.
The process is very easy to execute and has only one risk of over or under steeping, which can ruin your favourite cup of coffee. However, when correctly done, the method can help you uncover flavours of coffee that you never knew existed.
This is one of the simplest, oldest, cheapest, and fastest methods to brew coffee. The method uses a paper filter and coffee cone.
The process involves pouring hot water evenly on the ground coffee in a filter paper. The gravitational force allows the water to slowly drip into a pot or a cup, resulting in a clear and light-bodied brew.
Coffee cones are made of glass, plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. In this case, a gooseneck kettle comes in handy in controlling the rate of your pour.
The AeroPress Go is a basic three-piece tool that helps brewers make coffee within the shortest time possible. It is a manual brewer and a perfect option when you're on the go.
The method works perfectly when things are just kept simple: just the right size grind, right temperature, and the right level of air pressure. The result of AeroPress is a spectacularly tasting and smooth coffee brew.
Your grind size will determine the kind of result you get, so choose a grind size that suits your mood perfectly. The Aeropress Go is an eco-friendly coffee maker with the only produced waste product being reusable biodegradable filters and coffee pucks.
In the Moka stove Espresso machine, your coffee brewing process is taken through 3 chambers. Water is heated in the lower section, and steam forces it up through the coffee grounds, placed in the middle section of the pot.
Coffee is then collected at the upper chamber of the pot, where it condenses. Getting the right grind for this method might be quite a challenge.
You should not under-extract (too coarse) or over-extract (too fine). A quality Moka pot, when utilized well with some skills, can give you a bittersweet and super strong concoction that can take you through the day.
Coffee obtained through this method is close to a strong espresso shot and sharp-tasting coffee. Popular with the Reville Grind.
This method involves controlling the distribution of hot water over ground coffee placed on a paper filter and coffee cone. Under gravity, the brewed coffee slowly drips into a pot or a cup below, resulting in a smoother and more flavoured brew.
The movement of water through coffee particles is affected by the shape of the filter. As a result, coffee saturation and extraction are enhanced.
As a result of the more complete and even saturation, coffee lovers will enjoy a tastier and more flavoured cup of coffee.
The French press/cafetiere is undoubtedly one of the best home coffee makers. The process does not require a lot of effort or time to get done. The method includes a container with a filter screen and a plugger that forces hot water via ground coffee. The result of this is a rich earthy taste brew.
The Hario V60 Drip Coffee Maker is a popular drip/over brewing device. It is known to consistently offer a delightfully clean coffee flavour.
It is simple to use and portable. The brewer comes with a uniquely designed dripping system with a large bottom hole funnelled by spiral ribs from the sides.
Like any other coffee brewer, Hario V60 Drip Coffee Maker requires a specific technique to get the perfect brew. With just a few runs, you will get the best results.
Chemex brewers look like a chemistry flask or a piece of art. It's the most beautiful of all the methods of brewing. With the Chemex brewer, coffee will be ready within three and a half to four minutes, making it a relatively fast option.
You need quite some time and a bit of practice to get it right with the Chemex brewer, but once you get it, the payoff is worth it.
Well-brewed coffee is a favourite for many people around the world, but certainly, not all coffee is considered healthy. According to the European Society of Cardiology, filtered coffee is healthier than unfiltered coffee, especially when it comes to heart health.
Filters help in removing compounds in the coffee that may raise cholesterol levels. Research also indicates that people who drink filtered coffee have a lower risk of premature death as compared to those who drink unfiltered coffee.
People who drink 1 to 4 cups of filtered coffee per day have the best cardiovascular outcomes. Good coffee also improves mental capabilities. However, if you are a coffee lover and have high cholesterol levels or want to drink a healthy cup of coffee, stay away from unfiltered coffee.
Brewed coffee sits for about 30 minutes or so. This is because coffee continues oxidizing even after brewing.
When roasted coffee beans encounter air, they oxidize, resulting in the deterioration of coffee flavour compounds over time. To increase the amount of sitting time, you can store your coffee in an airtight thermos.
Otherwise, for the richest taste, drink your coffee immediately after brewing.
A good cup of coffee in the cool morning or cold evening can be a day saver. However, if you prefer less bitterness in your drink, you might struggle with the bitter taste of some brews. Below are some of the tips to reduce the bitter flavour in your coffee.
Over-extracted coffee has a bitter taste, while under-extracted coffee has a sour taste and a thin mouthfeel. When 18 to 20 per cent extracted, coffee hits the sweet spot that every coffee lover wants. If all your brews consistently have a bitter taste, review how you are making your drink.
Coffee brewed with very hot water will scald your beans. Blackened toast tastes bitter, and so do burnt coffee grounds.
To avoid scalding and burning your coffee beans, use water that is just the right temperature. If you have a thermometer, ensure the temperature is between 195°F and 205°F.
If you don't own a thermometer, you can boil water and let it sit for 30 seconds before using it to brew your coffee.
If you are doing everything right, but your coffee still tastes bitter, you might need to consider your level of roast. Try switching to lighter roasts such as balanced profile or fruity profile and see if they suit your preference.
Most people do not like dark roasts as much as they do the light and medium ones. Light and medium roasts tend to have a balanced flavour as compared to dark roasts.
From the above discussion, there are a variety of incredible coffee-making methods, and many coffee brewers have been invented to assist coffee enthusiasts in making their favourite brews. As you brew your coffee, make sure you know the type of result you want and nurture your skill to ensure success in every brewing process you partake.
Either way, make sure you use the right brewing method to achieve that unique and great taste you may desire.
Matthew Robertson
Author