Top 5 Ways to Brew Coffee

There are countless ways to brew coffee. Some methods are straightforward, others look more like science experiences. Don’t be intimidated by the latter! I’m here to help you be a coffee buff (or at least pretend to be one!) with this guide breaking down

The top 5 ways to brew coffee.

Drop Coffee Maker

We all know and love the drip coffee maker. Nevertheless, I must explain it. 

How it works

1. Pour in the water
2. Put in the coffee (I like 1tbs of coffee per one cup of water)
3. Press on and let that baby rip

The Pros:

• Stupidly easy and 99% foolproof (always be sure the carafe is actually under the machine….)

The Cons:

• It’s large and certainly not travel friendly
• No control over temperature

I have a 12 Cup Cuisinart that has lasted me for years, and is yet to let me down.

French Press

This contraction has been a lifesaver throughout my travels because it’s portable, simple to use, and can make a mean cup of coffee. In fact, it even earned me the nickname “FP” while I was on tour for the production of Christmas Wonderland.

You’ll find a bunch of different French Press’s online, and they are all more or less the same. However I do have to say I’ve had a Bodum for years, and it is ridiculously easy to order replacement carafes if you are just as clumsy as me.

How it works:

1. Put in the grounds (be sure they are coarse!)
2. Pour in nearly boiling water
3. Give it a stir
4. Let it sit for four minutes (more or less depending on how strong you like it)
5. Press down the thingumabob (the technical term obviously) down (I find this step outrageously satisfying)

The Pros:

• You can completely control the temperature and time, which are two key factors when it comes to flavor and strength.
• It’s portable and easy to use
• Cheap
• No filters required

The Cons:

• It’s takes more effort than simply pressing a button
• You can’t brew as much coffee at a time as a drip machine, which can be a problem if you drink a pot a day like me
• The clean-up process is a bit of a hassle

The Pour Over

The pour over is beloved by coffee connoisseurs because it gives you total and complete control over the coffee. You can adjust the temperature as well as the timing and speed of how the water hits the coffee, which in turn gives you the ability to bring out all the complexities and flavors the beans have to offer. 

For a technical guide what exactly is going on as the water hits the grounds in a pour over method, check out THIS article. 

How it works

1. Set up the funnel with filter and grounds
2. Pour over the water from the outside in a spiraling motion inwards.
3. If you are really passionate about your brew, follow this guide by Blue Bottle for precise timings.
4. If you are like me, keep on pouring the water in a swirling motion until you have the desired amount

The Pros:

• You have incredible control over the temperature and timing to masterfully bring out the flavors of your beans
• Affordable device with easy cleanup
• Great for traveling

The Cons

• It only makes one cup at a time
• It is a lengthy, labor-heavy process when compared to a drip coffee maker and French Press

Siphon Coffee

At first glance, a siphon coffee maker looks like it should be in a chemistry, lab not a home. It is a vacuum method of making coffee, and is considered to be the superior brewing technique for the best cup of coffee possible. Not only do you have total control over every component, but the water isn’t quite boiling when it rises up through the grounds, meaning the subtle floral flavors come through (it’s kind of like toasting your marshmallow as oppose to burning it.) 

How it works:

You heat up the bottom chamber, then vapor pressure causes the water to rise into the chamber above which has the coffee grounds. Once all the water is in the top chamber, you remove it from the heat, and the coffee filters back down into the bottom chamber.

Pros:

• When executed correctly, it makes a beautiful crisp cup of coffee with flavor profiles that aren’t achievable through a drip maker
• It looks freaking awesome

Cons

• It’s quite the process
• Clean up isn’t as easy
• You’ll never fit that sucker into a suit case

Aeropress

The Aeropress is one of favorite ways to brew coffee. It brews a solid of coffee that has the body of espresso and smoothness of a drip coffee in less than minute through an easy to use, portable plunger-type system. 

How it works:

1. Put the filter in the cap
2. Attach the aeropress chamber and stack on a mug
3. Put in the grounds
4. Add in water up to level 1 and stir for about 10 seconds
5. Push the plunger down for the coffee to come out in the mug
6. Add more hot water for an americano-style coffee, or leave as is for something more similar to an espresso.

Pros:

• Lightweight, portable, easy to use
• Takes less than one minute to brew
• Easy clean up
• Makes a delicious cup of coffee

Cons:

• Requires a specialty non resusable filter
• Only brew one cup at a time
• Requires a touch of arm strength

There you have it! 5 different ways to brew coffee! What are you waiting for? Go get caffeinated!