Coffee is the third most consumed beverage worldwide after water and tea and is enjoyed by many people multiple times a day for its aroma, taste, and energizing effect. The earliest mention of coffee dates to about the 7th century in Ethiopia, and the popularity of the beloved drink has no chance of slowing down anytime soon.
As a new coffee drinker or someone who usually buys their cup of joe on the way to work, it can be overwhelming to try to make a decision on where to start with making your own coffee at home. I started with the simple drip coffee maker as that’s what everyone had and it was the cheapest one for someone on a budget. Then as I got more curious, I started experimenting with other methods such as the french press and the moka pot.
Although there are limitless ways to make coffee, some options are tried-and-true. There is no one best way to make coffee as each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Keep reading to learn the best ways to make coffee from around the world.
Drip Coffee
One of the most popular ways to brew coffee is the automatic drip coffee maker. It is the most convenient way to make coffee as it creates a large amount and takes little effort. It is one of the most welcoming methods for beginners who want to make coffee quickly and easily.
Most machines even have a timer that you can adjust to your morning routine so you can have a fresh cup when you wake. That’s why the automatic drip coffee machine is the most convenient method on the list, as you can prepare it ahead of time and have freshly made coffee exactly when you want it.
Since coffee machines are user-friendly, easily adjustable, and convenient, it’s a go-to for most casual coffee drinkers.
How It Works
Coffee machines work by heating up the water and then passing the hot water through the filter. As it passes the coffee grounds, they brew, and coffee drips into the pot slowly. The coffee is kept warm with a heated plate under the pot, so you can drink it throughout the day. However, I personally like to turn off the coffee maker after it finishes as the coffee starts to taste progressively worse to me the longer you keep heating it.
The only things you need to know how to do when using an electric coffee machine are to measure the amount of coffee and measure the amount of water. You’ll have to determine this based on your personal preference. The more coffee you add to a single pot, the stronger the coffee will taste. The machine will do the rest of the brewing coffee work for you.
I remember the first time I tried to brew coffee in an office environment. I had no idea how much coffee grounds to add, so I just kept scooping. Later on, a coworker commented that the coffee was disgusting, oops.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Fill the machine with water
- Measure your desired amount of ground coffee
- Press the button to start the brew coffee cycle
Automatic drip coffee machines are often equipped with options that give you control over the strength of your brew. Selecting a stronger setting will brew the coffee more slowly, so the grounds have extended contact with the water.
Pour-Over
Many coffee experts prefer to use a pour-over brewer. Since it has a longer brewing process than other popular methods, it has a more intricate flavor extraction.
How It Works
The pour-over method is where you pour hot water onto coffee grounds inside a paper filter on top of a mug. The water drains through the coffee filter and drips into the cup.
There are different pouring techniques to create the perfect cup of coffee: blooming, pulse, and continuous pouring. Each pour will have varying effects on extraction and therefore have different impacts on your brew:
- Blooming involves pouring twice the measure of coffee in water over the grounds at a time. That creates a bubbling reaction from the degassing of carbon dioxide during the roasting process. Wait for 30 to 45 seconds until the bloom has ended and the grounds have settled.
- The pulse technique is pouring specific amounts of water consistently. It prevents grounds from rising up the filter but also gently disrupts the grounds, creating more even contact with the water.
- Continuous pouring involves pouring the water at as constant of a flow rate as possible without stopping. It’s the quickest pouring method and the most popular pour-over brewing method.
Agitation is another thing to consider when brewing pour-over coffee. Stirring or swirling the grounds while brewing can ensure there are no dry spots in the bed of coffee. This aids with even extraction.
French Press
A French press is a coffee maker made up of a cylindrical carafe, a filter, and a plunger. It involves a manual process where boiled water steeps the coffee for about four minutes.
This method is preferred for a richly aromatic, full-bodied brew. The metal filter releases the coffee’s natural oils and passes tiny pieces into the coffee to percolate the flavor. Paper filters remove these oils and microscopic grounds, making for a less aromatic and robust coffee.
How It Works
To make coffee in a french press, follow these steps:
- Boil water and add it to the carafe. Let the water cool down for about thirty seconds to avoid scorching the coffee.
- Add your coffee grounds. When the coffee and water are added to the carafe, the coffee will naturally float to the top. This will need to be stirred to evenly distribute the coffee and make it sink to the bottom.
- Place the lid on the carafe and let it steep for three to four minutes.
- Lastly, push the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds and serve immediately.
Moka Pot
The Moka pot is a three-chambered pot that relies on the pressure generated by simple stovetop steam, which starts in the bottom chamber and moves up through the coffee grounds. It is recommended to brew a couple of coffees before drinking to season the pot. This method creates coffee that is robust and hearty.
How It Works
Using a Moka pot is surprisingly easy:
- Fill the bottom chamber with water until it is level with the valve, and place the funnel inside the pot. Bonus tip: Fill with hot water to reduce the amount of time needed to heat the water over the stove.
- Fill the funnel with the ground coffee and screw the top on tightly. This last point can’t be stressed enough. I had a problem with my moka pot sputtering until I screwed it on tightly.
- Place the pot on a stove over medium heat. When you hear a hissing sound, remove it from the heat.
- Let the coffee finish flowing into the upper chamber. Some people like to pour cold water onto the bottom chamber to stop this process, but I leave it to cool on its own.
A Moka pot is the closest that you can get to an espresso-style coffee without having to buy an expensive machine that can take up a lot of room and also requires a fair amount of maintenance.
Cezve
A Cezve is a small brass pot used to make Turkish coffee, an unfiltered coffee. Since the coffee grounds settle to the bottom, this method allows a more distinctive flavor and aroma than most other coffee methods. It has a higher concentration of caffeine, so this option is also more energizing than most other methods for brewing coffee.
How It Works
Turkish coffee is very easy to make, and you can prepare it quickly using this method:
- First, mix finely ground coffee, sugar, and cold water, and slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- When the coffee is almost at a boil, spoon the foam into the cup.
- As the coffee comes to a boil, pour half of the coffee over the foam.
- Return the pot to the stovetop and boil the remaining coffee for an additional 10-15 seconds, then fill the cups to the rim.
Other ingredients are sometimes added to the mixture, such as cardamom, cinnamon, and anise seed. Cardamom is the signature spice of Turkish coffee. You can experiment with other spices to see what you like.
Since Turkish coffee is dense, people typically enjoy it in smaller portions. It is best when enjoyed slowly with good company. It’s common to serve this rich drink with a glass of water to clear the palate before enjoying the coffee.
Espresso
Espresso is an Italian technique for making coffee that involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. This process pulls out the oil from coffee beans, which emulsify with water to create a smooth texture.
The main thing that sets espresso from other methods is the crema, which is a foam caused by carbon dioxide gas trapped in ground coffee. The carbon dioxide mixes with other compounds in the coffee beans to create a foam that floats on the surface of the espresso.
Many well-known drinks are made with espresso shots, such as cappuccinos, lattes, americanos, macchiatos, flat whites, and mochas. Most of these drinks are made with milk to decrease the acidic taste of coffee.
Making a cup of espresso coffee with a consumer espresso machine will often taste different than buying one from a local coffee shop. Commercial espresso machines involve electric pumps to create the amount of pressure it takes for the perfect texture. This can cost thousands of dollars, but you can still get a satisfying, smooth coffee with a home espresso maker.
When purchasing an espresso machine, there are many things to consider: budget, type of drinks, frequency of drinks, kitchen space, and grinder. All of these are important when choosing the espresso machine that will suit you and your needs.
How It Works
You’ll need a good coffee grinder as your grounds should be powdery and fine. Then follow these steps:
- Once your grounds are properly ground and measured, add them to the portafilter and tamp down on the grounds with the tamper.
- Lock the portafilter into the machine, position your glass underneath, and start your shot. The shot will take about 25 to 30 seconds, depending on your machine. It will take trial and error to achieve the perfect shot to your liking, so don’t expect perfection the first time.
Although espresso is undoubtedly the most expensive method to make coffee at home, an espresso machine will create a satisfying, smooth drink that is very versatile.
Brewing Essentials
When it comes to making coffee, there are many factors to consider. Each step is crucial: the equipment, the beans, freshness, the grind, the water, and the brewing time.
To ensure each cup is as good as the last, always make sure to always clean your equipment properly. If coffee grounds or water is left behind, your next cup could taste bitter and rancid.
High-Quality Coffee Beans
There are a multitude of different coffee beans to choose from, and the brewing process you prefer will require a specific ground of coffee, but there are also many roasts to choose from. Be sure to experiment with different roasts to find your favorite, as there are no rules, only suggestions.
For the highest quality of coffee, freshness is essential. Try to purchase coffee as soon as possible after it’s roasted or roast your own coffee, and only buy what you’ll use to avoid the coffee beans going stale.
Grinder
Investing in a decent coffee grinder is worth it to get finely ground coffee. The size of the grind is hugely important to the taste of your coffee. Bitter-tasting coffee could be a result of over-extraction or the grounds being too fine. On the other hand, if your coffee tastes bland, it may be under-extracted, and the grind is too coarse.
Fresh Water
Water is 98% of coffee, so it is beneficial to use good quality water. Opt for filtered or bottled water when your tap water has a poor odor or taste. Let tap water run for a few seconds before you put it in your coffee pot, and be sure to use cold water that is not distilled or softened.
The brewing time (the amount of time that the water is in contact with the coffee grounds) can also make a significant difference in the taste of your coffee. Methods where the coffee has less time in contact with the water usually have a weaker taste. In contrast, the coffee is usually more aromatic when in contact with the water longer.
Even a tiny change to any of these factors can significantly affect the taste, so it’s worthwhile to compare coffee brands and pick out a dependable grinder that can produce the results you want.
Conclusion
With many different options to create coffee, the possibilities are endless and there is no best way to make coffee. Some methods are quick and easy, while others are time-consuming and include many steps and investing in expensive brewing machines. Ultimately, your palate and dedication will determine the perfect cup of coffee. Have fun exploring all options and figuring out which one tastes best to you!