When we think of coffee, most of us will think of coffee from a traditional drip coffee maker, and most likely we have all probably owned one. However, the traditional coffee pot isn’t the only way to make coffee. There are many ways to brew coffee to experience the wonderful flavors that coffee has to offer. So, let’s explore a few different and unique ways to brew coffee.
But first, to fully appreciate the art of brewing coffee we must also understand that coffee grinds require special attention. When it comes to coffee grinds most of us just think of putting coffee beans into a traditional coffee grinder or a spice grinder. Although it’s not the best way to grind coffee, it is the most affordable and most common way. So, what would be the right way? Well, you might want to invest in a Burr Grinder. But why? The size of the coffee grinds affects the flavor of the coffee. For example, a Blade Grinder (traditional coffee or spice grinder) does not evenly grind the coffee bean. As a result, during the brewing process, the coffee can have an uneven balance of flavors. Additionally, the heat created by the friction of the blades can damage the flavor of the beans which can result in a more muted flavor. Now that we know why Blade Grinders might not be your best choice, let’s look at why you might want to consider a Burr Grinder. Burr Grinders can grind coffee extra-coarse like rock salt for Cold Brew or as superfine as flour for Turkish Coffee. The Burr Grinder also ensures a uniform grind for an even-extraction which results in a balanced cup of coffee.
Now that we have a general understanding of how coffee grinds can affect the flavors of the coffee, let’s now look at the different ways to brew. Cold Brew has become one of the more popular drinks in recent times especially in coffee shops. Cold Brew is made by dripping cold filtered water through coarse coffee grinds for a long period of time…roughly around 10 hours or more. This method requires patience that results in an intense flavored brew without any bitterness. Cold brew is perfect if you want to experience the full flavors the coffee bean has to offer. While cold brew isn’t too advanced, what is needed is the perfect grind size.
Next, we have French Press. French Press has been a lesser known but still popular method of brewing coffee. Why has it been so popular? It is most likely due to its ease of use and affordability. When it comes to brew time it’s not quick, but it’s not slow either. On average it can take around 10 minutes to brew a nice cup of coffee. When it comes to grind size the coffee grounds require a consistency like course sea salt or sand. The flavor is a unique aromatic coffee that’s full of the flavor from the beans used. However, there can be coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup, so it has been suggested that you avoid the last few sips of each cup.
Our Next method is Filtration or Drip Brewing. The process is simply to pour hot water over your freshly ground beans. This can be done by a pour over coffee maker or a traditional coffee maker. When it comes to Filtration or Drip Brewing, it is relatively simple but still offers the unique flavors of the coffee beans.
And finally, Espresso is one of the most unique and complex methods of brewing coffee. This method is widely used in cafes and coffee shops for its strong and sharp flavors. When a shot of Espresso is done right, you can taste the full pallet the coffee has to offer. Unfortunately, for some there are two drawbacks to this method. The first being its price. A good Espresso Maker can cost upwards of $500 for entry models. The second drawback is the complexity it takes to master the technique. Some Espresso Machines can make a great shot almost automatically, but others will require a high level of skill. For example, the commercial espresso machines will require a certain amount of experience and skill to operate correctly for beginners. But if you are in the mood for a one-of-a-kind drink with a hit of caffeine, there is no other machine that can replicate this taste.
When it comes to brewing coffee, we hope you are inspired to try different techniques and methods and find what works best for you. Have a happy brewing journey!