Common ways to brew coffee at home

Different people have different ways to brew coffee at home. If you want to try brewing coffee at home. There are a few common ways you can try. In this post we will talk about some of the most common coffee brewing methods including French Press, Pour Over, Aero Press, Moka Pod, Clever Dripper, Ibrik/Cezve, Espresso, Drip Coffee, and Coffee Capsules. If you are looking to try brewing coffee at home, read on to find out their pros and cons and see how they compare to other methods?

1. French Press

French Press is probably the most popular and the most used coffee brewer in the world. One of the reasons for its popularity among coffee lovers is that the whole coffee brewing process is very simple. A French Press coffee maker typically only has two parts: a jar and a plunger with either plastic or metal mesh. To brew your own cup of coffee, first add ground coffee into the jar, pour hot water on it and wait for a few minutes before pressing the plunger down and pouting the coffee into a cup. Coffees made with French Press usually have more mixed flavors and less transparent. If you compare it to Pour Over coffee, you’ll notice that the liquid is more cloudy. That’s because the filter mesh it uses is not able to filter all the tiny particles like the paper filter does.

So what’s great about using a French Press coffee maker for brewing coffee?

As you can see, it’s very easy to use and if you have a friend come over, you can easily show him how you do it and explain it easily. And you don’t have to change the filter frequently. After brewing, you can just pour it out, there’s no other brewing equipment needed. And it’s relatively cheap compared to some other options.

And the brewing volume is bigger, big French Presses are usually around one liter.

Pros of brewing with a French Press:

1. Easy to use and explain to others.

2. No need for additional filters or specialized equipment.

3. Suitable for larger volumes of coffee.

Cons of the French Press:

1. Cleanup can be challenging due to sediment in the coffee.

2. Brewing time is longer, not ideal for those in a hurry.

3. It may lack the flavor clarity found in Pour-Over coffee unless brewed for an extended time.

2. Pour Over

You're probably familiar with popular pour over coffee makers like the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, and Chemex. These methods all involve pouring hot water over a bed of coffee grounds, with the water percolating through the coffee bed to extract flavors. While all three use paper filters, metal mesh or cloth filters are also common alternatives. Most pour-over methods yield coffee in two to four minutes.

Differences to note:

V60 and Kalita drippers require a separate carafe or mug, whereas Chemex serves as both brewer and carafe.

These pour over coffee makers come in different materials: Chemex is glass, V60 is available in ceramic or plastic, and Kalita is made of metal.

Material choice affects heat transfer and durability. In both aspects, plastic or metal usually outperform glass and ceramic.

Lastly, the brewer's shape and paper filters can significantly impact how water percolates through coffee and extracts flavors.

Pros of a Pour Over coffee maker:

1. Produces a clean and transparent cup, ideal for light-roasted specialty coffees.

2. Offers more control over the brewing process and can be a ritualistic experience.

3. Basic plastic drippers are cost-effective.

Cons of Pour Over:

1. Can be inconsistent in results.

2. Requires a learning curve, specialized equipment, and precise pouring techniques.

3. Generates paper filter waste, and coffee grind quality and consistency are crucial factors.

3. Clever Dripper

The Clever Dripper offers an interesting blend of immersion brewing, akin to the French Press, and percolation, resembling Pour Over coffee. Similar to the French Press, most of the coffee grounds are immersed in hot water until you open a valve. When you place the Clever Dripper over a mug or carafe, it becomes something closer to a pour-over dripper, allowing water to pass through a bed of coffee, via a paper filter, into your cup. It’s common to use a slightly coarser grind size than that for pour-over brewing, and the total brew time is slightly longer.

Other immersion drippers available on the market include the Hario Switch, Gina, December Dripper, and Wilfa pour-over dripper.

Pros of a Clever Dripper:

1. It provides more flexibility for experimenting with grind sizes since it doesn’t reply solely on gravity.

2. Replicating the brewing method is easier compared to Pour Over, and it doesn’t require a specialized pouring kettle or any specific coffee tools.

Cons:

1. Cleaning the Clever Dripper thoroughly can be challenging.

2. It doesn’t have an aesthetically pleasing look as other coffee brewers.

4. Aero Press

The AeroPress coffee maker is a pressurized immersion brewer. Unlike an Espresso machine, the pressure doesn’t come from a pump but is generated manually by your hand. Naturally, you can’t generate as much pressure as a machine, which results in a distinct cup of coffee. With the Aero Press, pressure and sometimes agitation are used to expedite the brewing process, causing coffee to extract much faster than in a French Press. You can typically expect a brewed coffee in just one or two minutes.

The AeroPress consists of three main components: the chamber, the plunger, and the basket. There are two primary methods for brewing with the AeroPress. The conventional method, as designed by the inventor, involves placing the chamber on a mug or carafe, adding coffee, hot water, and pressing it down. Alternatively, you can use the inverted method, where you add coffee and water, then flip it just before pressing. There's no right or wrong way to do it; it's a matter of preference, and there are numerous recipes available for experimentation.

Pros of a AeroPress Coffee Maker:

1. Portability: It's unbreakable and easy to travel with.

2. Versatility: You can brew various styles of coffee, from concentrated espresso-like shots to larger cups of black coffee.

3. Speed: It brews coffee quickly, typically within one or two minutes.

4. Easy to clean: It uses small paper filters, resulting in less waste.

5. Accessories: There are many add-ons available for the AeroPress, such as the Prismo, Puck Puck for cold drip, metal filters, and brewing stands.

Cons:

1. Limited capacity: It can only brew a limited amount of coffee, typically 200 to 250ml.

2. Initial learning curve: The brewing process may feel a bit awkward for beginners.

3. Recipe variability: The multitude of recipes, some conflicting, can be confusing for newcomers.

4. Clarity: The coffee produced can be somewhat cloudy, especially when compared to Pour Over coffee.

5. Espresso Machine

Espresso is a concentrated and robust coffee with a layer of crema, brewed rapidly under high pressure using an espresso machine. Arguably, it's one of the most intricate methods for making coffee at home, and there are essentially three options available:

  Option 1: Manual Espresso Machine which requires manual force to push hot water through finely ground coffee.

  Option 2: Automatic Espresso Machine, equipped with a pump to force water through the coffee bed.

  Option 3: Super Automatic Espresso Machine, featuring built-in grinders and user-friendly buttons for control.

What can be said about all three options is that they tend to be more expensive than the methods we discussed earlier. Opting for extremely budget-friendly machines often results in potential issues such as breakage or improper coffee extraction.

Pros of an Espresso Coffee Maker:

1. Once set up and calibrated, it brews rapidly.

2. Well-extracted espresso offers an amazing taste.

3. It serves as a solid foundation for various espresso-based drinks.

Cons:

1. Espresso machines are generally costly.

2. Unless you choose super automatic machines, you'll need to learn how to adjust and dial in your espresso.

3. An espresso grinder, which can be relatively expensive, is necessary.

4. Cleaning and maintenance are crucial and require more effort.

6. Moka Pot

The Moka Pot is an iconic Italian stovetop coffee maker that has gained popularity not only in Europe but also worldwide. It was invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. The Moka Pot consists of three essential components: the bottom chamber for water, the coffee basket for ground coffee, and the upper chamber for collecting brewed coffee. In contrast to Pour Over coffee, which relies on gravity for extraction, the Moka Pot uses boiling water to generate steam in the bottom chamber, pressurizing it and forcing water through the ground coffee into the collecting chamber. The resulting coffee strength falls somewhere between espresso and filter coffee, leaning closer to espresso.

Pros:

1. You don't require an additional brewing kettle, as the water is heated directly inside the Moka Pot.

2. It's a popular choice for camping due to its durability, making it resistant to breakage.

3. Its iconic design has earned it a place in many renowned museums of design and modern art.

Cons:

1. Controlling the brewing process could be a challenge.

2. Cleaning can be troublesome, and this aspect is often overlooked.

3. Since the Moka Pot operates with boiling water under pressure, it can be hazardous if not handled with care.

7. Cezve/Ibrik

Cezve/Ibrik is an ancient coffee brewing method that remains highly popular in Balkan countries, Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, and various other regions. It is renowned for producing a small yet incredibly strong cup of coffee. The brewing process is relatively straightforward: you require a Cezve or Ibrik, finely ground coffee, and water, with a traditional coffee-to-water ratio of 1:10. Traditionally, it is brought to a boil, although a more modern approach stops just short of boiling. The entire mixture is then poured into a cup. This method is unfiltered, leaving the coffee grounds at the bottom due to their very fine grind size.

The coffee is extremely hot immediately after brewing, so it requires some time to cool down to a drinkable temperature.

Pros:

1. Simplicity: It's a straightforward and uncomplicated method.

2. Ritual: The process itself is a beautiful ritual, and using a copper Cezve adds to the aesthetic appeal.

3. No need for filters: This method eliminates the need for coffee filters.

Cons:

1. Risk of over-extraction: It's easy to over-extract the coffee, necessitating an extremely fine grind size. This means you either require a high-end grinder with versatility or a dedicated grinder for this method.

2. Limited quantity: You can brew only a relatively small amount of coffee at a time.

8. Coffee Drip Machine

A Coffee Drip Machine, or Batch Brewer, essentially automates the Pour Over coffee method. These machines come in various styles, functions, and price ranges. So how’s this method different than others we mentioned before?

Pros:

1. Simplicity: It's easy to use; simply add ground coffee, water, and turn it on. There's no need for an electric brewing kettle.

2. Consistency: Batch brewers provide more consistent results compared to manual pour-over methods.

Cons:

1. Cleaning: It can be somewhat challenging to keep the machine clean, especially if you use thermoses.

2. Control: You have less control over brewing parameters compared to manual methods.

3. Cost: It's a more expensive machine than a simple pour-over dripper.

4. Size: It takes up more counter space due to its larger size.

9. Capsule Machine

A coffee capsule is a pre-dosed, single-use container filled with ground coffee, typically containing around 5.5 grams for espresso-compatible capsules. While we typically recommend using freshly ground coffee, we've included this method in our comparison because brewing espresso-like coffee at home can be quite complex for many individuals. The process for brewing coffee with capsules is straightforward. You pour cold water into the water tank, turn on the machine to heat it up, insert the coffee capsule, and push the button. Heated water is then forced through the capsule, which acts as a pressurized brewing basket, into your cup. The resulting coffee has a thin crema and is similar in strength to lungo or diluted espresso. However, when using specialty coffee capsules, it can be highly aromatic, delicate, and fruity. Since the expiration of espresso patents, more coffee roasters have ventured into this space.

Colona Coffee in the UK was a pioneer in specialty coffee capsules in Europe. What led us to invest in these machines were unique coffee projects like Savage Coffee, which sources competition lots from their own farm in Panama that are otherwise challenging to access.

Pros:

1. Extreme ease of use and user-friendliness.

2. No need for additional equipment; the coffee capsule machine is all you require.

3. Fast brewing and relatively easy cleaning.

Cons:

1. It doesn't produce true espresso.

2. The coffee is not fresh; it's pre-ground and pre-dosed, so it ages.

3. It generates more waste, as each coffee dose is individually packaged, making it the most expensive option per gram of coffee.

Verdict:

After knowing all these coffee brewing methods, there’s one more thing you should remember. There’s no such thing as the best coffee maker. Regardless of the method you choose, the most crucial factor in determining the taste is the coffee you start with. No coffee brewer or machine can improve the taste of subpar coffee. So, instead of investing heavily in machines, it's advisable to focus on the coffee beans you purchase. Some factors to consider are quality, freshness, and roast level. Regarding freshness, it's important to know when the coffee was roasted and to avoid letting it sit too long before brewing. Coffee ages and loses its characteristics over time. Lastly, roast level matters because each brewing method extracts coffee differently and requires a slightly different roast style.