If you’re really into coffee, you may already know that brewing it is half of the fun. The following guide will cover a variety of popular brewing methods while offering tips on how to get the most out of each one.
Some people claim that one brewing method is superior to the others. But the truth is, each has their positives and negatives and determining which one to use depends entirely upon your situation.
French Press
The French Press method is my personal favorite method for brewing coffee. The taste and consistency of the brew is second to none. The flavor you are able to extract from a French Press is, in my opinion, the best of any brew type.
This is because all of the ground coffee is soaked and fully steeped in hot water, and then pressed to extract all of the flavor and caffeine. In order to make a cup of French Press coffee you will need a French Press coffee maker. If you enjoy a deeply flavorful cup of coffee, then The French Press is definitely the way to go and worth the purchase. The one downside to The French Press is clean up. The plunger and metal filter get very dirty and you must clean the press after each use.
Tip: Be sure to stir the coffee with a spoon before letting it soak. If you're interested in learning even more details about how to make French Press coffee, check out our French guide.
Recommended French Press Brewer
Best Quality Coffee recommends the Simplipress brewer. This is not your average French Press as its very well-built and comes with a patented plunger unit which makes cleaning up coffee grinds especially easy.
Pour Over – Coffee Cone
One of the most common methods of brewing coffee is the Pour Over/Drip method with a coffee cone.
This method is the same method by which most “coffee makers” and “coffee machines” make coffee and is simple, affordable, and quick. If you want to make your coffee in a true pour over fashion, you will need to take a cone shaped coffee filter and insert it into your coffee cone. From here you can pour your medium to fine ground coffee into your filter/cone. Then you pour over hot water and watch your coffee slowly drip into the pot below. This is a great way to brew coffee and is the most common home brewing method for a reason. Clean up is easy and the coffee taste great.
The manual pour over method is quite often the preferred brew method for high-end cafes and specialty coffee shops. This brewing method gives baristas precision control over variables such as water pressure, temperature, and timing.
Tip: Buy quality natural brown coffee filters. You will taste the difference . For more information on making perfect pour over, check out our pour over guide.
Recommended Pour Over Brewer
Best Quality Coffee recommends the Chemex Brewer for its elegant design, sturdy construction, and ability to make incredibly flavorful coffee.
Percolator
Percolating coffee is a unique method of brewing coffee requiring a stove top or a heat source that can bring water to a boil. You will also need a coffee percolator which is basically a pot with a small space on the bottom to be placed on the heat source.
A tube extends from the bottom of the pot, to the top. The top of the pot includes a top chamber that is used to contain the coarsely ground coffee. The water begins to boil and bubbles to the top chamber where it bubbles over the coffee grounds. The water seeps through the coffee and then drops down to the lower chamber. This process continues until more and more coffee has been produced. This method was very popular in the 1970’s and recently has been making a comeback. It is a great way to brew an especially strong cup of coffee!
Tip: A tip to percolating coffee is to try different blends of coffee and figure out which blend is your favorite.
No matter how you choose to brew your coffee the most important thing is that you create a fun and fulfilling experience that works you. Again, regardless of what coffee connoisseurs may say, the best brewing methods will always depend on your situation and your preferences. Brewing the perfect cup of coffee and enjoying it each morning is a great way to start your day. Use these tips to ensure you get the most out of it!
Have fun and enjoy your coffee!
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