The Best Guide to Coffee Brewing: The Three Most Common Brewing Methods Explained
The dozens of unique coffee brewing methods available to first-time baristas can make it hard to figure out where to begin on your personal coffee journey.
To make it easier, let’s start by learning about the three most widespread coffee brewing methods.
These three methods are not only easy for beginners but great for intermediate coffee brewers as well. Most importantly, they make delicious coffee!
Drip Brew
What is Drip Brew coffee?
Drip brew coffee is often referred to as the automatic pour-over.
Brewing coffee using this method requires a drip brew machine, which is usually large and heavy. It works by using the water stored in its reservoir and the coffee grounds placed in its portafilter.
A flat-bottom paper filter is placed inside the portafilter and filled with medium ground coffee. Once the lid is secured, most drip coffee makers require the user to push the button corresponding to the amount of coffee they wish to make.
The drip coffee maker will then automatically heat the water to the correct temperature and brew pour-over coffee. The coffee is collected in the carafe at the bottom of the machine and kept hot.
Drip Brew coffee is one of the easiest brewing methods to use. Drip coffee makers are designed with ease and comfort in mind. One of the best attributes of this coffee maker is that you don’t need to measure the water for each brew.
The drip coffee machine will automatically use the correct amount of water for the amount of coffee you are brewing. Simply keep the reservoir filled. Most drip coffee makers require a flat-bottom filter to be placed inside the portafilter.
Unlike with the water, you will need to measure the amount of coffee grounds before brewing coffee with this machine. Drip coffee makers brew the best coffee when using medium-coarse coffee grounds. Place the coffee grounds onto the filter and ensure that they are evenly distributed.
Once the coffee grounds have been added, close the top of the portafilter and select your preferred brew settings. Most drip coffee makers can brew anywhere from 1-4 cups of coffee at a time. Some have additional settings that allow you to brew extra-strong coffee by using less water.
Once the settings have been selected, the drip brewer will automatically pour the correct amount of water over the coffee grounds. The final product will trickle down into the carafe, where it can be kept warm for later.
Drip Brew coffee makers create the same cup of coffee every time, so this standard brewing method is perfect for people who don’t care about the process and are more concerned with the delicious product.
Although it brews a delicious cup of coffee every time, drip machines don’t have the variety or personalisation of a manual pour-over or a French press.
Each cup of coffee tends to taste similar to the last.
Coffee Ratio: Drip Brew
Manual Pour-Over
What is Manual Pour-Over coffee?
The pour-over is the preferred brewing method among baristas because it allows your individual tastes and brewing style to shine.
The pour-over is considered a drip brewing method. This is the same as the automatic drip coffee maker, but pour-over brewing is completely manual. Although this makes it harder to brew correctly, once mastered, pour-over coffee can be personalised to the flavours of the coffee bean and to your tastes.
Also, the pour-over is not as bulky as the drip coffee maker and can be easily packed away and cleaned after brewing.
Pour-over coffee is a drip brewing method that requires a steady stream of hot water to brew correctly. Pour-overs consist of a portafilter shaped like a cone funnel, a brewing stand, cone coffee filters, and a gooseneck kettle.
Although the manual pour-over has more individual parts than the Drip Brew machine, they are easier to clean and take up less space. The cone coffee filter fits inside the portafilter, which is held up by the brewing stand. Your coffee mug or a carafe is placed under the brewing stand for the coffee to fall into.
Coffee grounds are gently placed into the cone coffee filter. Once the coffee grounds have been evenly distributed, a steady stream of water is poured in circular motions on top of them. The water will begin to soak with the coffee grounds, get heavy, and will eventually drip into the mug or carafe placed underneath it.
Pour-Over coffee requires skill and experience but can be easily mastered keeping in mind these techniques. When adding the coffee grounds, ensure that they have a medium-coarse grind and are distributed evenly in the cone filter.
Once the water is heated to the correct temperature, slowly pour it on top of the coffee grounds in fluid, circular motions. The coffee grounds will begin to rise in the portafilter with the addition of the water. This is called blooming.
Blooming occurs when the carbon dioxide inside the coffee grounds is released due to exposure to hot water. Once the coffee grounds appear to be blooming, stop pouring the water and allow the excess carbon dioxide to dissipate.
This process will take approximately 30 seconds. Once the excess gas is released, continue pouring a steady stream of hot water onto the coffee grounds. Making sure that each portion of coffee grounds has the same amount of water exposure is the key to brewing coffee with a well-balanced acidity.
The entire pour-over process should take anywhere from 3-4 minutes for one cup of coffee. Once the water has been completely poured, allow it to drip through the portafilter and into the carafe or mug for a few minutes before enjoying.
The flavour of pour-over coffee heavily depends on the style of the barista.
The coffee beans being brewed, the pouring technique and the brew time can all affect the coffee’s final taste.
Generally, the pour-over brewing method brings out a coffee bean’s natural flavour profile.
The clear and distinct flavours of pour-over coffee are one of the many reasons baristas love this brewing method.
Coffee Ratio: Manual Pour-Over
French Press
What is French Press coffee?
French press coffee is a percolation-based brewing method that requires less experience than a pour-over but allows more personalisation than brewing with a drip coffee maker. Its small size makes it easy to store, transport, and clean.
The French Press brewing method creates a rich and robust coffee, as percolation is a brewing technique that soaks coarsely ground coffee beans in a carafe filled with hot water.
Unlike drip brewing methods, there is no movement of water through the French Press.
Once the coffee grounds and the water have soaked for anywhere between 3-8 minutes, the plunger filter is lowered. This separates the coffee grounds from the coffee, which can then be poured and enjoyed.
Brewing French Press coffee does not require much technique or skill, even though it is a manual brewing method.
Begin by pouring the correct amount of coarsely ground coffee into the carafe and heat the water.
Once the water is heated, pour the correct amount of water into the carafe. Place the lid on the carafe, but do not press down on the plunger filter.
For a brighter, more acidic tasting coffee, let the grounds soak for 3-5 minutes. For a deeper, richer taste, brew your coffee for 5-8 minutes.
After the coffee grounds have soaked for the desired amount of time, press down on the plunger filter to separate the coffee grounds from the drinkable coffee.
Because the coffee grounds are completely submerged in water, French Press coffee contains more oils than the other two brewing methods. These additional oils give French Press coffee a bold and robust taste.
French Press coffee tends to have a heavier body and a somewhat dirty, gritty flavour that magnifies the richness of the coffee beans used to brew it.
It is the perfect brewing method for people who love bold coffee.
Coffee Ratio: French Press
Conclusion
The world of coffee brewing can be overwhelming at first, but by learning the differences between the three most popular brewing methods, it’s easier to start your own coffee journey.
Whether you prefer the painstaking process of a pour-over, the ease and convenience of a drip machine, or the bold taste of a French Press, all that matters is getting your hands (and taste buds) on some delicious coffee!