Tag Archives: espresso

The Perfect Cuppa Joe: Different Brewing Methods For Coffee

There is nothing like the perfect cup of steaming (or cold) coffee to kick start the day; but of the different brewing methods for coffee, which is the best for the right combination of strength and flavor? Depending on who you are or where you live, there may be more to making a great cup of java than meets the eye.

Do you prefer intensity, a smooth flavor, or a lower acidity level? Did you realize that different brewing methods for coffee influence the extraction process in their own ways? Here is a breakdown of a few inexpensive and user-friendly methods that are currently trending.

brewing methods for coffee

 

Drip Coffee

Also known as the pour over method, drip coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground beans that seep through a filter and into a pot or mug.

As home brewing becomes more popular, we’re seeing instruments pop out from every corner, like the Kone and Chemex. The flavor, strength, and oiliness that result will depend on the filter and dripper, the amount of coffee used per brew, the water temperature (hotter water causes a quicker extraction), and the manner that the water is poured (all at once or in small intervals).

drip coffee
Drip coffee

Some of the various drip processes may make us question whether we’re coffee drinkers or home scientists.

 

French Press Coffee

The French press is a popular and recognizable choice after the automatic coffee machine. In a nutshell, ground coffee is completely immersed in hot water and plunged down before the liquid is poured.

To prevent your drink from turning murky and bitter, use coarsely ground beans. (They stay trapped by the plunger.) Also, as with other methods, it is recommended to heat the water to approximately 195-200 degrees Fahrenheit, or just below boiling point. Ballpark this temperature by setting the boiling water aside to cool for just a minute. Then pour the hot water over your ground coffee.

french press coffee
French press coffee

The longer the grounds sit in the water, the stronger, richer, and bolder (or bitter) the drink will become. Also, you may want to start with a 1:10 coffee to water ratio (and adjust from there) to find the flavor that will satisfy your palate.

 

AeroPress Coffee

Another full immersion method requires a little tool that looks like a French press and syringe hybrid, called an AeroPress. Unlike the French press, you won’t need to worry about small bits of grounds entering your drink. It’s also quicker (requiring a few short minutes) and creates a crisp taste with little oils or acidity.

aeropress coffee
Darrick Leom / Shutterstock.com

This is among the newest devices on the market and comes with a scoop, funnel, plunger, and filters for an easy experience. The scoop will help you measure just the right amount of coffee for the cup or serving size and the filter will ensure only rich, smooth, eye-opening liquid enters your mug.

 

Cold-Brewed Coffee

Has the term “cold-brewed” been buzzing around your head lately? Few drinks are more refreshing on a hot day than iced coffee, and this is currently one of the most popular brewing methods for coffee; but the cold brew is something a little extra special. It produces a smooth, mild flavor that is low in acidity.

cold brew iced coffee
Cold brew iced coffee

Unlike old-fashioned iced coffee that is brewed hot and cooled down, this method requires the ground coffee to sit in cool water for a longer amount of time. In fact, cold brew takes around 12 hours, so beginning the process at night will ensure your cup is ready by the time you’re running out the door in the morning.

Starting with coarse coffee, measure out a close bean to water ratio (around one parts coffee to four parts water) since cool water extracts coffee slower than hot water. Pour the water over the ground coffee and store covered on the counter or fridge overnight. In the morning, strain the liquid from the grounds and you’re all set!

Since a greater quantity of ground coffee is used in the cold-brew method, you may want to dilute it first with milk, water, and/or ice. It all depends on your taste and caffeine preferences.

 

Moka Pot Coffee

The best coffee that I have ever tasted was in northern Italy, so I’m not surprised that Italy is where this method originated. Unlike drip coffee, which relies on gravity, the Moka pot creates steam that travels up into the filter with the ground coffee and collects in a separate chamber.

The Moka Pot, which is short for macchinetta or “small machine,” is made up of three main parts: the lower chamber, the filter, and the upper chamber. Pour water into the bottom chamber (the pot should have an indication line). Then pile a loose mound of coffee in the filter, so it pokes just above the top, and fit the filter inside the bottom chamber. Screw on the top part and place your pot on the stove over low heat. Once you hear a soft hissing sound, sneak a peek inside the top chamber (just be careful, it will be hot) and if the coffee is sitting inside, turn off the heat and enjoy!

Moka pot
Moka pot

In addition to a regular mug, the Moka pot can be used to make espresso. Of course, you won’t get the same punch that you would experience from a high-quality espresso machine, but for fractions of the cost, this little wonder does a nice job.

10 Best Cities in the World for Coffee Lovers

You can tell a lot about a place from its coffee shops. Yes, coffee is a necessity; but the vibe of a city is in its coffee, whether it’s café con leche or a simple cup given during an elaborate coffee ceremony. A café where people rush in, order and hurry out speaks of a hyperactive culture, while an eatery where single origin pour is the must-have drink signals the baristas know the beans.

Image via Pixabay under license CC0
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Serious coffee drinkers know there are many variables involved in making a cup of coffee. They also know a great cup is one you dream about. Find out where to get your fix and plan your next vacation in the process. From the United States to South America, these are the 10 best cities for coffee. 

Melbourne, Australia

Australia’s artsy city takes its coffee seriously. Each of the city’s villages has their own vibe, and the coffee shops in each reflect that. If you want hipster coffee, head to Brunswick. For traditional Turkish java, you want to visit Coburg. There’s even a café culture walking tour run by Hidden Secrets Tours. Order a milky coffee drink or the piccolo latte (made with less milk so the espresso tastes stronger).

Try:  Sensory Lab, Proud Mary, Sonido

Image courtesy of Sonido!
Image courtesy of Sonido

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Next on the list of best cities for coffee is this cosmopolitan South American city. Buenos Aires’ oldest café dates back to 1858; but it’s only been within the past few years that the city’s coffee has come in to its own. A new generation of baristas import, roast and grind their own beans. Order the local favorite café con leche (milky coffee) or lagrima (hot frothy milk with a teardrop of coffee) and sip. Coffee is a drink you savor in Argentina.

Try: Café Tortoni, the oldest café shop in Buenos Aires.

Vancouver, Canada

Multiple coffee shops on each block make Vancouver another one of the best cities for coffee. There’s a coffee for every type of drinker in the British Columbia city. Yes, there’s Starbucks, imported from that coffee-loving city to the south. There’s also a wide selection of artisan shops roasting, grinding and brewing beans directly from the source. You’ll find more sustainable, fair trade green coffee in this city than any place else in the world, homage to the green initiatives you’ll find throughout Vancouver.

Try: Kafka’s, Prado Cafe, Trees Organic

Prado coffee
Prado Cafe Vancouver

Havana, Cuba

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, there’s never a wrong time for coffee in Havana. Café cubano — a shot of dark roasted espresso brewed directly onto sugar — is the drink du jour, especially in the afternoons. Coffee is drank almost as much as water in this city. And with direct flights now from most US cities, it’s only a leap, hop, skip and jump away until you’re indulging too.

Try: Cafe El Escorial, Cafe Arcangel

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand’s often-overlooked Northern city is the heart of the country’s coffee culture. The city is full of cafes, where you’ll often find expat digital nomads working, as baristas whip up drinks made as close to bean to cup as you can get. Most of the beans brewing in the coffee houses are grown in the countryside just outside of the city, making this another one of the best cities for coffee.

Try: Librarista, Ristr8to

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia has a long and rich coffee culture. With an estimated 15 million people in the country relying on the plant for their livelihood, it should come as no surprise the capital city is full of coffee shops. But what really makes Addis Ababa a must-visit for coffee lovers is the traditional coffee ceremony. The ceremony is a sign of friendship and respect and consists of hours of roasting, grinding, brewing, and of course drinking of coffee.

Try: Tomoca Coffee, Alem Bunna

 

Oslo, Norway

Oslo will make even the most serious dark roast coffee drinker fall in love with light. Baristas in the country’s southern coastal city import, roast and grind coffee beans. Don’t let the light roast fool you though. The coffee is bright, acidic and with enough of a punch to make you wonder why anyone would ever prefer dark roasts.

Try: Tim Wendelboe, Kaffebrenneriet

Rome, Italy

When in Rome, do as the Romans do…drink coffee. Heralded as the birthplace of the cappuccino, Romans drink coffee as much as they do water and wine. The local cafes are more than just a place to get a java fix. They are where locals go to get news and swap neighborhood gossip. Just remember when you’re chatting away, milky coffees like that cappuccino should only be drunk in the morning.

Try: Sant’ Eustachio, Tazza d’Oro, Caffe Camerino

Image via Morguefile under the Morguefile License
Image via Morguefile under the Morguefile License

Providence, Rhode Island

The tiny city in the United States’ smallest state has a bustling coffee scene. Here, you’ll be drinking sweet coffee milk. It’s the state drink, a blend of espresso-based coffee syrup added to a glass of milk. It’ll give you enough of a buzz to explore the city’s art and tech scenes.  You’ll also find plenty of up-and-coming indie shops and traditional Italian on the North side of the city.

Try: Dave’s Coffee, Bolt Coffee

Seattle, Washington

Seattle should be on every coffee lover’s bucket list. Known around the globe as the birthplace of Starbucks (you can visit the original in Pike Place), Seattle created the US coffee culture we know today. It has paved the way for artisan coffee places to sprout up around the country. Starbucks aside, the city has plenty of its own indie shops. This is definitely one of the best cities for coffee. Order a local favorite single origin pour.

Try: Milstead, Reserve Roastery, Victrola Coffee Roasters

Image: Starbucks®
Image: Starbucks®