Different Coffee Brewing Methods - Your Ultimate Guide

What are the best coffee brewing methods? Although there has been a wide range of automatic coffee makers, manual methods are still second to none. After all, they extract the best of flavors and aroma from the coffee beans. Moreover, the best brewing method is the one that you prefer. So, if you are a coffee connoisseur, you must already know your favorite brewing method. However, if you are a noob, you need to first know about what each of these methods are, how they differ from others, and the steps they include. And we have compiled a whole guide on this for you. Keep reading…

What are the Popular Coffee Brewing Methods?

There are six main coffee brewing methods popular among enthusiasts. Knowing about different coffee brewing methods will surely enhance your overall experience. After all, you’re learning to turn your beans into a drink - it’s like witchcraft. With blends from Backyard Brew and learning coffee brewing methods, you can do wonders. So, here is all you need to know about coffee brewing:

• Pour-Over Coffee

This method focuses on control over the brewing process. It is a drip process and uses a coffee cone and filter paper. You should also know that this coffee brew method is the oldest, cheapest, and the simplest of them all. All you need to do is put your ground coffee on the filter paper and pour hot water over it. Because of gravitational pull, the coffee will keep dripping into the pot you’ve placed your coffee cone. Moreover, most people don’t know that the shape of the cone and the filter you use will have an influence of the flavors. If you want to enjoy a clear, bright taste of coffee, pour-over is a great choice. And trust me, it's quite meditative too.

Did You Know?
You can manually pour over one to two cups at a time with the pour-over method. 

When it comes to grind levels, you have two choices. First, a smart approach is to go for finer grinds for smaller pour-over cones. And by fine, I mean, as fine as table salt. On the other hand, you can also go for a medium-coarse grind (as coarse as kosher salt).

• Chemex Pour Over

This coffee brewing method is known for its elegant, iconic, and efficient equipment to pour over coffee. I’m talking about the Chemex! Undoubtedly, this equipment combines functionality with a distinctive design in the most perfect way. Moreover, it has a beautiful hourglass shape and a wooden collar. You should know that this equipment uses specially designed paper filters that are thicker than standard filters. As a result, you have a clean, crisp cup of coffee with a bright flavor profile.

Did You Know?
A chemist Peter Schlumbohm invented Chemex in the 1940s.

Furthermore, the brewing process begins with putting your ground coffee in the top chamber and pouring hot water over it in a controlled manner. Afterward, you’ll see the brewed coffee dripping into the lower chamber. Surely, it is a great coffee-brewing gadget. However, another reason why it’s famous among coffee enthusiasts is that it can be used as a carafe for serving.

• French Press Method

The French press, also known as a press pot or plunger pot, is a full-immersion process that involves coffee sitting in water for several minutes. Besides, this classic coffee brewing method has a focus on simplicity and rich flavor extraction. You should know that the French press is a device that consists of a cylindrical glass or stainless-steel carafe and a plunger with a fine mesh filter. 

Did You Know?
The French Press machine was invented in the 1920s and it is a great choice for those who enjoy full-bodied coffees. 

Now let’s move on to the steps to follow. Well, first, you have to coarsely grind the coffee and steep it in hot water for about four to five minutes. As a result, the grounds will fully infuse their oils and flavors into the water. After that, you have to plunge down the plunger to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee. And here you have it: your cup of flavorful, full-bodied, and robust coffee. Coffee experts prefer this method because of its ability to produce a rich and aromatic brew.

• Espresso Method

If you want to amp up the traits - flavor, and aroma - of your coffee, this one is a great coffee brewing method. Anyway, it’s a concentrated coffee brewing technique popular all over the world. It includes passing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. It’s originally an Italian method and results in a super delicious cup of coffee. Moreover, espresso coffee offers a robust flavor, creamy texture, and a layer of golden crema on top. And this crema is, in fact, a frothy emulsion of coffee oils and air.

Did You Know?
Espresso is an Italian brewing method invented in the early 20th century.

If you go into the details of brewing espresso, you’ll find so many things interesting. For instance, the ground coffee is first packed in a portafilter and then locked in the espresso machine. Afterward, the machine rapidly pours water over coffee for 25 to 30 seconds. This extracts a complex array of flavors and aromas. Besides, you should know that espresso is a base ingredient of so many of your favorite types of coffees, such as lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. It even offers the perfect chance to enhance your single-origin coffee experience. 

• AeroPress Method

Now that we’ve discussed old and traditional coffee brewing methods in detail, it is time that we move to modern methods. Here I’m talking about the Aero press coffee brewing method. Moreover, the main character of this method is the AeroPress, a versatile and innovative coffee brewing device. This machine became so popular because it produces a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee with minimal effort. Moreover, the machine uses immersion and pressure methods. Besides, it’s usually suggested to use medium or coarsely ground coffee for the AeroPress Method. You can just buy all coffee - any type or origin - for this method.

Did You Know?
The AeroPress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler.

To brew your cup, you have to place your ground coffee, add hot water, and watch the mixture being stirred for a short time before being steeped for about 30 seconds to a minute. After steeping, the plunger is pressed down to force the brewed coffee through a paper or metal filter. What’s the result? Well, you can predict: it’s a delicious cup of coffee. This device is popular because of its portability. Besides, AeroPress is the base ingredient for lighter brews.

• Auto-Drip Brewer

Talking about modern brewing methods, how can we skip auto-drip brewer? This is actually a drip coffee maker known around the world for its convenience and consistency in brewing coffee. People love this appliance because it lets them prepare multiple cups of coffee at once with minimal effort. Many of these even have programmable features. For instance, some brewers can allow you to set brewing times in advance for a fresh pot of coffee upon waking. Interesting, right? This method is the most efficient choice if you want a clean, balanced cup at home. 

Did You Know?
The Auto-Drip Brewer is a convenient choice for quickly brewing coffee at home. 

Now, let’s get into brewing details. The best part - it is a low-effort method, so extensive labor is obviously out of the picture. You start with filling a water reservoir, adding coffee grounds to a filter basket, and selecting a brew cycle. After you are done, the machine automatically heats the water and drips it over the grounds. Finally, you’ll see fresh and hot coffee pouring into a carafe or pot below. All you need to do is, take it out in a cup and ENJOY!

What are Some Other Coffee Brewing Methods?

Apart from the popular methods like pour-over, espresso, or French press, there are numerous other coffee brewing methods you can try. These include cold brew, siphon, percolator, moka pot, etc. You can do some research about them and choose the best one according to your preferences. Anyway, here are some more options you have:

Keep in mind that there are several other methods too. However, this is the perfect list for people eager to try out new blends.

Which Coffee Type Goes With Different Brewing Methods?

You can - should - choose different coffee roast levels and origins for different brewing methods to enjoy your coffee sipping experience to the fullest. For instance, pour-over is a method for brewing brighter-tasting coffee. So, you have to choose the roast level to go with it accordingly. After all, this will directly impact the delight of your cup of joe. Moreover, when choosing beans, the things to consider are flavor profile, origin, personal preference, acidity, and freshness. Besides, here are a few suggestions for roast levels from my end:

Conclusion

The above guide has all the necessary information to guide beginners in the most efficient way. Obviously, if you are an enthusiast, you must have tried some, many, or all of the coffee brewing methods. However, the list above gives you a clear idea of the options you can enjoy. For instance, who doesn’t not about pour-over? It’s one of the most enjoyable ones among all coffee types. However, if you want something quick and convenient, auto-drip brewer is the best pick. After all, it’s designed to fit into busy routines – smoothly so!

And you now also know that there are different recommended coffee roasts and origins for different brewing methods. At Backyard Brew, we have the most amazing blends to elevate your coffee brewing experience. From Ethiopian Yirgacheffee to Brazil Mogiana, all of our products are delightful enough to be a part of your coffee routine. So, sift through our exquisite collection and HAPPY SIPPING!