Many individuals strongly believe in the best ways to prepare coffee, including the necessary tools and what exactly constitutes a decent cup. We’re here to tell you to take a deep breath. The ideal cup of coffee is one that you appreciate. We could debate the French press against the pour-over all day. The truth is that many baristas believe that you can make outstanding coffee with any method and any gear you have on hand. There is no wrong approach, whether you enjoy making your cup by hand or your automatic coffee maker—but each has advantages and disadvantages.
Coffee Maker with Drip
Suppose your family consumes a lot of coffee, or you want something simple and reliable. In that case, a sturdy batch brewer (a drip machine) is the way to go. I like the idea of pressing a button and getting terrific coffee that’s well-balanced, slightly sweet, and so delicious that it doesn’t require milk or sugar. That is simple for me to accomplish with my batch coffee machine. The water you use, the grounds-to-water ratio, and, of course, the type of coffee you use will all affect the flavor of your cup. Begin with fresh roasted beans and filtered water, then use a scale to calculate a coffee-to-water ratio 1-to-16, or use 16 grams of water for every cup of coffee. Note: This is a good starting point, but you can (and should!) change it to your liking.
Regarding brewing coffee at home, a member of the automatic coffee machine team, the Bonavita 8-cup Coffee Maker, is recommended by baristas for its showerhead dripper, which properly distributes water onto a flat bed of coffee and enables even extraction.
The French Press
If you enjoy full-bodied, robust coffee, the French press is for you. Instead of letting water flow through the grounds, this method brews by soaking ground coffee immediately in hot water. This approach is popular because of its rich flavor. Because the water stays in contact with the coffee for a more extended period without being filtered, the results are more well-rounded, with a bolder, deeper flavor. It’s more creamy and less watery.
This works: Fill the carafe halfway with hot water and whisk to ensure all the coffee is adequately saturated. Wait four minutes, then cover the carafe and slowly depress the plunger to push all the ground to the bottom.
For best results, use a coarser grind and avoid using water that is too hot. These variables are essential in brewing coffee that isn’t under or over extracted. There is a fallacy that coffee must be at its boiling point. However, it should be at 194°F to fully extract the flavors and avoid burning the coffee. If you’ve brought your water to a boil, let it cool for a minute before brewing. After the coffee has finished brewing, decant it into a mug as quickly as possible rather than leaving it in the French press to avoid over-extraction.
The Pour-Over Method
A basic pour-over coffee is ideal if you want a lighter-bodied coffee that gives you almost perfect control over the flavor of your cup. Ground coffee is placed in a cone filter over a cup. Hot water is poured over the coffee, allowing it to drip through. It’s a popular choice among baristas. A pour-over uses a paper filter to remove some of the heavier oils. You have control over the speed of the pour and the number of pouring rounds. That amount of power appeals to me.
Pour-overs require considerably greater precision regarding grind size, water temperature, and coffee-to-water ratio. For greater accuracy, baristas advocate using a manual or electric burr grinder and a gooseneck kettle. The grind size will affect the brew time; if the coffee takes too long to dissolve, the grind is too fine; if the water flows too quickly, the grind is too coarse. A short brew time will result in coffee that tastes salty and sour, while a long brew time will result in coffee that tastes harsh, ashy, and burnt. You aim to strike a balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness. Set a timer for two and a half to four minutes. The process requires some time and effort, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s a no-brainer.
The Aeropress
Coffee enthusiasts who often travel tend to prefer Aeropress as it is a popular choice among them. This small brewing gadget works like a syringe, with a plunger pushing hot water and grinding through a filter into your cup. Coffee produced in an Aeropress has a short brew time and is smooth and low in acidity. Although some argue that Aeropress makes single-serve coffee as strong as espresso due to its brewing under pressure, this is a common misconception. Whatever the case, it’s small and light enough to take almost anywhere. It’s ideal for first-time coffeemakers producing a single cup. It’s easy to use and clean.
Espresso Maker
If you enjoy strong coffee and espresso-based drinks, have extra counter space, and have the money to spend, consider purchasing an espresso machine. Hot water is blasted under high pressure through fine ground coffee beans in this brewing method, resulting in highly concentrated coffee. The high pressure also accelerates the extraction and brewing processes to between 20 and 30 seconds, giving you a shorter time to hit that flavor extraction “sweet spot.” Espresso is the most picky of the significant coffee brewing methods. Use a grinder and scale and become acquainted with your equipment.
Regarding espresso, your coffee grinder is your most essential tool.
The Moka Kettle
If you’re looking to brew strong coffee without investing in an expensive espresso machine, then The Moka pot, also called a stovetop percolator, is a coffee maker. It might be the perfect solution for you. The brewing method involves boiling water that is then compressed by steam and passed through the finely ground coffee, similar to the espresso process. The result is a highly concentrated and flavorful coffee that satisfies your caffeine cravings. Although it requires more care and effort, using a Moka pot is a pleasant and quirky experience.
Iced Brew
Do you prefer your coffee with ice? Making cold brew involves soaking coffee grinds in cold or room-temperature water for 16 to 24 hours. Using the Toddy Cold Brew System with a mason jar and a filter produces a smooth, full-bodied coffee with less acidity. Fill the Toddy with coffee and water, put it in the refrigerator for the night, and extract the concentrate the next day. Pour the mixture over ice and add three parts water when serving. It makes a delicious, potent cold brew.
You may also make iced coffee quickly by brewing ordinary coffee or coffee concentrate and pouring it over ice. Some people also prefer the Coldwave Beverage Chiller, which can promptly cool hot beverages to room temperature. Essentially, you make a standard brew and immediately chill it without diluting it—you don’t need to make a concentrate.