As they say… it’s not only what you make, but how you make it. Here I’ll share my top 10 methods for brewing coffee at home.

And if you make it as I use to, where it was downright undrinkable, I’ll show you ways to make coffee less bitter.

No matter which coffee maker you use, or where it’s from.

Brewing roasted coffee beans creates the final flavors

Coffee arrives to us in a multitude of varieties, grown in different conditions, and roasted in diverse ways.

All of which contribute to the final result, a simple cup of joe.

But what some might not realize is that coffee forms its final essence during the brewing process.

Different brewing techniques create distinct differences in the taste, strength and bitterness (or lack thereof).

Let’s dive into some of the most common brewing methods and machines. We’ll discover how each results in a different tasting cup of coffee.

It’s not about which one is best, it’s… which is best for you?

Now let’s dive into 10 different methods from around the world for brewing coffee at home.

Cezve turkish-coffee_icon

Turkish-coffee-with-ceramic-cupsTo start with the Cezve is fitting since it’s the Turks that first made coffee drinking… a thing.

An essential tool for making Turkish Coffee. Also called an Ibrik, this long-handled small pot is traditionally made of brass or copper.

The pot’s shape narrows towards the top, which allows the drink to form a creamy foam layer as it brews.

And if you want it prepared in the traditional way, it should be heated in a pan filled will hot sand.

The sand evenly distributes heat to allow for very precise temperature control.

Fair warning, Turkish Coffee is not for the faint of heart!

It’s served very strong and without milk or cream. But a generous helping of sugar is fine, just ask for yours to be prepared sekerli.”

French Press french-press_icon

French-Press-Coffee-at-coffeeshop-TheStoryofCoffee

French Presses have been around since the mid 19th Century.

They’re simple devices that utilize a strainer and a plunger to separate coffee grounds from the liquid.

The only requirements for perfecting this method are;

1. start with a larger grind size (usually coarse ground)

2. add hot water that’s just under boiling temperature (around 195 to 205 degrees F or 90-96 C)

3. use the correct ratio of grounds to water.

We recommend 10 parts water to 1 part grounds, but then again, we like our F.P.C. strong!

(French presses are also great devices for brewing coffee cold)

Espresso Machine espresso-maker-icon

Ad-poster-for-Victoria-Arduino-Espresso-by-Leonetto-Cappiello-1922Ah, the iconic Espresso Machine!

These omnipresent devices operate by forcing a small amount of hot water (or steam) through finely-ground coffee beans using high pressure.

It was invented by Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, in 1884.

Some say the name espresso comes from how the flavor is expressed out of the coffee. Others consider the name refers to the fast and express way this deliciously strong beverage is made.

Moka Pot moka-pot_icon

The Moka Pot is an iconic metal coffee maker with two hexagonal sections, one atop the other.

While similar to the percolator method, there are some distinct differences.

This method also uses pressurized steam extraction, similar to Espresso, and is considered a classic Italian brewing method.

Many add their own style when brewing with a Moka Pot. Some leave the lid open when the pot is exposed to heat to make the coffee less bitter.

Vacuum Coffee Maker vacuum-coffee_icon

vacuum-coffee-maker-patent-drawing-brewing-coffee-at-home-the-story-of-coffeeFor making coffee like a mad scientist!

Also known as a Siphon Pot or Siphon Brewer.

Hands down, this has to be the most elaborate setup required before brewing a pot of coffee.

It involves heating water from the bottom recipient. After reaching boiling temperature, the water is forced up through a filter.

Once at the top, it cools down, and then you’re ready… to start.

The bottom pool creates a vacuum, and the coffee placed at the top is absorbed through the filter.

Whew! Why go through all this?

Fans say it produces the singularly best tasting cup of coffee that will ever touch your lips.

Percolator perkolator-device-icon

percolator-patent-drawing-brewing-coffee-at-home-the-story-of-coffeeNot just an excellent EDM music track by Cajmere!

Coffee Percolators are pots with an internal system of vapor fluctuation.

The first step is to pour water into the main chamber Properly ground coffee is then placed on top.

As the water boils, it turns to steam, rises up, then condenses back to liquid in the top compartment before dripping down through the grounds.

They’re easy to use but are likely to result in a strong, even bitter brew as the water must be above boiling temp to do its job.

Drip Coffee Machine drip-coffee_icon

Honey, please fire up the Wigomat.. wait, what?

Yup, this electrical coffee maker first hit the stage in 1954, invented by Gottlob Widmann, and dubbed the Wigomat.

Today we can find drip coffee machines in almost every office, corner convenience store, or dinner.

They’re considered easy to use, basically plug-n-play. And since they’re great at making a cup of coffee that’s not too bitter, they quickly overtook the percolator in popularity.

Pour Over pour-over-coffee-icon

pour-over-cafe-coffee-filterSome might call this the Zen Style of making coffee as it’s made one cup at a time. By slowly pouring hot water over grounds laid inside a paper filter, then patiently waiting for the end product.

When using a Pour Over, you can control intricate details of water temperature and duration of the process to create a brew that perfectly suits your palette.

Chemex chemex-coffee_icon

chemex_patent-drawing-brewing-coffee-at-home-the-story-of-coffeeThe only coffee making device enshrined in the Museum of Modern Art.

This unusual method is growing in popularity among coffee connoisseurs.

Chemex is a glass styled brewing device shaped like an hourglass.

Like the Pour-Over, it also uses paper filters, but thicker than the standard ones used for drip machines.

Why use it?

For a cleaner brew with less bitterness and lower levels of cafestol (a potentially cholesterol-elevating compound in coffee).

Coffee Pods coffee-pods-icons

New Kid on the Block. When brewing coffee at home, this method is about as simple as it gets.

The coffee pod or K-Cup is a brewing system mainly for personal use. Well, not that personal.

These fast coffee makers are designed to brew one cup at a time.

With the grounds already prepared and compressed into pods, called K-Cups.

A variety of coffees and flavors exists, so you can enjoy a quick cup without messing around with grounds.

One note, most pods are made of plastic, so if you drink lots of coffee, the waste factor can be considerable.

 

 

About the Author

Jonnie Coffee

Hi, I'm Jonnie Coffee. As a researcher and artist with a massive passion for all things related to coffee, I started this blog as a "digital homage" to my favorite beverage. Feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions, suggestions, or even, just for some coffee talk.

View All Articles