If you love coffee, and I mean love coffee, you must have tried to brew it yourself at least once in your life. But many of you must have discovered that your favorite hot beverage in the entire world is not easy to make from scratch.
So, what are some of the best ways to make coffee at home? If you are a beginner to coffee brewing or have previously been traumatized when you did it that one time and never again, then this is the article you should be reading.
Brewing coffee at home sounds scarier than it is. With a few considerations in mind and some focus, coffee brewing can be a fun and exciting activity. In this article, you will discover five of the most popular coffee brewing methods and soon discover the best way to make coffee for yourself.
Essentially, coffee brewing begins with grinding coffee beans to make a beverage. Initially, the raw beans are to be roasted, which are then ground. After grinding, water at certain hot temperatures is added to the ground mixture at varying speeds, both factors depending on what type of coffee brewing method you are following.
Before drinking the coffee, a sieve is used to separate the ground coffee chunks that remain in the liquid. Depending on how long the ground-up coffee beans sat in the water and how finely they had been ground in the first place, your coffee will have different intensities depending on flavor.
There are quite a few reasons for you to try this yourself. Firstly, brewing your coffee affords you a lot of flexibility and creativity to make your personalized brews to suit your tastes. And secondly, freshly brewed coffee is arguably better than using previously ground coffee beans.
There are five methods of brewing coffee without any more delays and that too right at home!
This particular brewing method is one of the most beloved by coffee fanatics that get into brewing. Like most methods, it is mostly about getting the timing and temperatures right, but this experience can also be enjoyable.
Chemex is one of the methods for brewing coffee that became highly popularized across cafes in the United States, but many don’t know that it is almost an 80-year-old technique. This method follows the pour-over technique, in which water is passed through a filter upon which rests some ground-up coffee.
This method is not necessarily the same as the French press, as experts suggest that using the Chemex method gives a cleaner cup of coffee in the end. This is because the filters typically used in making coffee with this method are significantly heavier and thus retain much more solid and oil particles.
For making coffee the Chemex way, the grind of the coffee should be somewhat finer than coffee grounds that are used for the French press. But you mustn't grind your beans too fine, i.e., sand-like consistency.
Using a brew ratio according to your tastes, we recommend that you use water at roughly 90 to 95 degrees Celsius and let your coffee brew for three to five minutes. The margin depends on how fine your coffee ground is and how you pace your pouring of the water.
When pouring, keep it consistent and pour in circles over the filter. You can also pace yourself by pouring a bit and then stopping for a few seconds, as this method can produce a better extraction. Ultimately, you’ll want to experiment a bit around with the time, ground consistency, and pouring methods for your preferred flavor and aroma.
In terms of convenience and ease of use, this method is preferred by those brewing coffee at home in a rush. It involves the use of a Keurig machine, a reusable k-cup, some ground-up coffee of your choice, and hot water.
As a machine is involved in this method, you do not need to prep too much before. Begin with making sure that the machine is plugged in and powered on. You will need to fill it up with water, and once the machine is on, you will see the light go on and the water within start gurgling.
In the k-cup, you are to now add your preferred amount and ground consistency of coffee and put it inside the machine. Now, your coffee is ready for brewing and will take a few minutes after you have closed the lid to the k-cup.
Once the machine says "ready to brew," you need to grab a cup and place it underneath the chamber from where coffee will pour in. After securing your cup in the right position, press the button that says "brew" to allow the coffee into your mug.
In the end, you will have a fantastically brewed cup of coffee that is a lot more flavorful and vibrant in terms of scent. And the amount of effort it takes to do this will be quite minimal when compared with some other methods.
So, if you are always getting late in the morning and do not have time to give to brewing manually, getting a Keurig machine with reusable k-cups is a brilliant way of getting good quality coffee quickly.
Much like the general principles for the French press and the Chemex, this brewing method is also one that involves the pour-over method. Here, the principal difference lies in the filter used to secure the ground-up coffee beans, which essentially sits in the middle of the cup that you will be drinking from.
Functioning much like a teabag, the elephant ear filters are used to secure the ground coffee in a strong filter, which is first attached securely to the cup. Once the coffee has been added to the filter, water that is around 90 to 96 degrees Celsius in temperature is to be poured slowly over the filter.
This method allows for the coffee to interact with the hot water and is a lot more convenient when it comes to removing the grounds of coffee from the cup. If you are running late and do not have the patience to remove coffee grounds carefully from your cup or kettle, this method will work best for you.
Like other methods, your coffee will taste and smell stronger according to how dense your ground-up mixture is, how fast or slow you pour water over it, and how hot your water is.
Like other manual coffee brewing methods, the ceramic pour-over is a sweet and simple way to a beautiful brew. There's something to be said about simplicity, as they say. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Pour-over methods are relatively easy to use whilst leaving much room to improve. Many aspiring coffee-aficionados have found their love for a simple pour-over, transitioning from novice to veteran, cup by delicious cup.
You would need a good trusty kettle (preferably a slow-pour variety) and a gram scale to get started. A nice thermometer is never unwelcomed in a brewer's kit, being both scientific and easy-to-use. The real kicker is, of course, a good burr grinder. Understanding burrs is the bane of many; it appears daunting but is surprisingly simple; keep reading for a simple, easy grinding 101.
Understanding grinds are integral to a good homebrew coffee and surprisingly easy to learn. A good grind makes all the difference, affecting consistency and the brew time. A finer grind means a quicker brew, as a slower grind takes its time. Grind size also depends on the batch size you are making, with larger batches brewing after a coarser grind.
The real proof is in the taste. There is no one best way to make coffee; your taste buds have the final say. As a rule of thumb, if your coffees come out bitter and brothy, grind coarser. If the morning cup feels a bit think and sour, consider a fine grind.
The brew ratio is worth mentioning. The experts suggest 60 grams of coffee in a liter of water ( 1 gram in 16.7 grams of water, for those who aren’t in for a liter of caffeine in the morning. Whilst this 1:15 to 1:17 coffee to water ratio is recommended for specialty coffee, feel free to let your taste decide, as per comfort.
Water comes in many varieties. It is a surprise for somehow important quality water truly is for any brew. Good water keeps your grinder and other gear in tip-top shape and gives you the coffee you deserve. Fortunately, high-grade brew water is easy to mix and comes at a low cost. Perfect for those taking the next step to caffeine perfection.
Now, to get started on the brew. For the first time, one can try for a medium grind on around 400ml of water, nice and simple. Start by rinsing your filter with hot water, placing it over your trusty brewer. Now add your coffee, start your clock, and pour around 10-15% over the grounds. Easy does it, and remember to try to go even. Half-way there!
Wait thirty seconds on the timer and begin adding the rest. Pour slowly from the center outwards, almost to the edge of the brewer, to avoid spills. In around 2-4 minutes, depending on brew size, viola. Coffee is served!
The traditional French press is an easy, inexpensive way to an amazing coffee. Elegance in action, the French press works by steeping ground coffee beans in hot water and then pressing out the delicious juices inside. If you’re ever looking for quick, good coffee for multiple people, consider this capable contender.
Of course, there are some drawbacks. The coffee sitting on the ground makes French press coffee prone to a bitter, oily aftertaste. It's not everyone's cup of tea (or coffee) but worry not; if you are willing to give it a go, the humble press may grow on you.
As always, good coffee needs a good grinder. A bad grind leaves the coffee murky with bitter grit, and high temperatures can leave your cup over-extracted. With a sense of temperature and an eye for the grind, anyone can press out a beautiful cup. So let your water chill for a while before introducing it to your beans, and make sure they’re the right consistency.
Let's go through the steps. Say you have a French press of 32 ounces (a common size). For a solo cup, try 2 tablespoons of coffee in 8 ounces of water. Measure out your caffeine bean selection, and give it a coarse grind. Go for rough but even-sized grounds, avoiding fine grit. Pour your delicate creation into the press. You're almost there!
Now, for the water, awaiting a boil and a brewing. Use a thermometer if one is handy, and give it a minute to rest after. Now pour into the French press, stir thoroughly over the grounds, and let the concoction rest,
After a short wait of around four minutes, plunge the press firmly and pour out your cup. It is best to drink the coffee immediately. Now, the only thing left is to enjoy your beautiful cup. Store in care if you want to save some for later, and forgive yourself a few missteps. With some luck, the French press will be your lifelong companion for a revitalizing drink.
So, there you have it. Five tantalizing yet different ways to make coffee that bring out the coffee nerd in all of you. Give each one a try, and you will surely find one that works best for you. Pretty soon, you will be making your own coffee and inviting all your friends over to try out your personal brews!
How to Make Espresso Using French Press
What is a Frappuccino and How To Make the Perfect Cup at Home
Use coupon code WELCOME5 to get $5 off your first shipment! We hand select beans from around the world, roast them weekly, and deliver straight to your door!
From taste to caffeine content, which is better for you?
From taste to caffeine content, which is better for you?
