How to Choose the Best Brewing Method for Your Coffee
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To create delicious, flavourful and aromatic coffees to suit our own personal tastes, it’s important to not only choose the ideal, freshly roasted beans, but to also choose our preferred brewing method. With a selection of methods to choose from, and a wide range of quality equipment available to buy, we are presented with a great opportunity to make the perfect coffee every time.
Once of the most popular brewing methods is with a bean-to-cup machine, which provides users with an automated process and delicious coffees at the simple press of a button, but there are many more great brewing methods used to create wonderful coffees.
Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines
A bean-to-cup machine takes care of every step in the coffee-making process, from grinding the beans to the perfect coarseness, to brewing and pouring, and many will include a steam wand or pannarello for creating wonderful, velvety froth and steamed milk.
These clever machines will often provide a variety of settings and customisable options that allow at-home baristas to perfect their skills and produce the perfect beverages time and time again with ease.
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Espresso Maker
Perhaps the most popular method of brewing coffee, and certainly one of the oldest. Creating a pure, powerful shot of espresso using an espresso maker is a daily process adored by coffee lovers around the world, who favour this method for its time-honoured tradition and, of course, the resulting beautiful cup of coffee.
To brew using an espresso maker, ground coffee is placed into a basket, which contains tiny holes that allow the hot liquid to pass through, but prevents any pieces of ground coffee from making it into the cup (other than the tiniest particles). The handle containing the basket is locked into the espresso machine and the pump is activated, which sends near-boiling water through the ground coffee. The liquid then drips into the waiting cup below, often with a natural head of foam, known as the crema.
Cafetiere
A cafetiere, or French Press, is an infusion brewer that consists of three main components - a carafe/pot, plunger and lid. Unlike filter brewers or Moka pots (where water passes through the grounds), cafetiere coffee is created by allowing the coffee grounds and the water to steep together in the pot. The plunger then drives a mesh filter through the brewing water, pushing small insoluble particles to the bottom of the pot.
There are lots of benefits of opting for cafetiere brews: steeping coffee helps produce a more uniform extraction, and the process allows a little oil and small particles to flow through, creating a vibrant body and texture; you have a higher level of control over how strong or weak you prepare your coffee; in terms of ease and affordability, there is no need for additional equipment, such as paper filters or cloths.
Stovetop Coffee Makers
Stovetop brewers (often known as moka pots) use steam pressure to gently force hot water through ground coffee, producing a rich, intense brew that’s stronger than drip coffee yet smoother than a full espresso. Compact, sturdy and beautifully designed — whether in traditional aluminium or modern stainless steel - stovetop brewers are perfect for everything from a quick morning pick-me-up to lazy weekend slow-sips.
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Filter Machine
Filter coffee is produced by pouring boiled water over ground coffee beans, then passing the liquid through a membrane (often paper) to filter out the larger grounds, leaving the brewed coffee to collect.
Aeropress
An Aeropress is an inexpensive and easy to use device for making a perfectly brewed, clean cup of coffee. It first made an appearance in 2005, and is a lightweight, compact and portable piece of equipment, making it ideal for travelling, overnight stays and camping trips. It's also simple to clean and eco-friendly.
The components of an Aeropress consist of two durable polypropylene cylinders, one with an airtight seal, that form a brewing chamber with a plunger, and a filter cap to fit on one end. A coffee scoop, funnel and stirring paddle are also included when purchased. The filters used are disposable, biodegradable paper ones, but a reusable disc-shaped metal filter can also be bought separately if preferred.
Turkish Coffee Makers
The secret to perfect Turkish coffee is a very fine grind, one that reduces the beans to a powder rather than a grit, as with most brews. One tablespoon of these fine grounds per cup – adjusted according to taste once you have mastered making Turkish coffee – must be added to the cezve or coffee pot, with the water. Place the cezve on the heat source and slowly heat the mixture, taking care that it does not boil.
As the coffee heats up, a mat of grounds will form on the top of the coffee. This mat should be stirred away, as otherwise it will trap the coffee underneath and adversely affect the taste of the finished drink. However, take care not to disturb the thick 'sludge' of fine grounds at the bottom of the pot.
Just before the drink comes to the boil, a thick frothy foam will form on the surface. This is the sign that the coffee is ready. Pour it carefully into a cup, taking care not to disturb the bottom layer too much, and then allow the coffee to rest for a moment, so any grounds that have escaped can settle in the bottom of the cup. Enjoy your authentically brewed Turkish coffee!