We’ve talked about the basics, now let’s get into the fun stuff. We hope this post will help you find your ideal coffee brewing method. As with anything, there are pros and cons to each method – and we’ve done all the work and research for you.
This one is perfect for you if you want homemade espresso but don’t necessarily want to drop a couple hundred dollars on a fancy machine. The result is rich, delicious coffee that you can craft into lattes or just enjoy by itself.
Start with a fine grind setting (#3.5), slightly coarser than texture of granulated sugar. When pinched, the ground coffee should not compress or clump.
The French Press is popular for its ease to learn and use, affordability and it’s nice and compact – doesn’t take up too much space in the kitchen.
Start with a coarse grind setting (#8) approximately the size and texture of kosher salt. The particle size should be flaky, with visible chunks.
Note: Experiment with a finer grind for a more intense brew, or a coarser grind for a less intense brew.
This one definitely isn’t for beginners. However, once you get the hang of it, the yield from one brew will make it all worth it.
Start with a medium-coarse grind (#7.5), slightly finer than the texture of kosher salt. The particle size should be flaky, with visible chunks.
Note: If the brew time is less than 3–4 minutes and the taste is weak, experiment with a finer grind. If the brew time is more than 3–4 minutes and the taste is bitter, experiment with a coarser grind.
There’s a reason this Japanese pour-over method is a popular one. It’s simple, elegant and delivers fresh, delicious coffee with ease.
Start with a medium-fine grind (#5.5), somewhere between the texture of granulated sugar and couscous.
Note: If the brew time is less than 2:30–3 minutes and the taste is weak, experiment with a finer grind. If the brew time is more than 3–3:30 minutes and the taste is bitter, experiment with a coarser grind.
Fun fact: the Aeropress was invented by Alan Adler, founder of Aeropress – formerly known as Aerobie, a company specializing in outdoor flying discs and sports toys including the Aerobie Pro flying ring, which was used to set a Guinness World Record for farthest thrown object (at a distance of 1,333 feet to be exact). ALSO, that record happened to be set by Erin Hemmings, who grew up here on the Mendocino Coast!
The Aeropress is a unique way to get a quick cup of coffee on the go, and it’s so easy to bring with you anywhere.
Start with a medium-fine grind (#5.5), somewhere between the texture of granulated sugar and couscous.
Start with a medium-coarse grind (#7.5), slightly finer than the texture of kosher salt. The particle size should be flaky, with visible chunks.
Note: Experiment with a finer grind for a more intense brew, or a coarser grind for a less intense brew.
Cold coffee is the chilled-out variant of the hot coffee you know and love. More then just a cooler brew, cold coffees have their own distinct flavor profiles due to the differences in how the essential oils are extracted from the coffee bean; cold and slow vs. hot and fast.
Most coffee retailers use hot-brewed coffee in their iced coffee drinks because it is faster/easier. They will typically brew hot with twice the amount of grounds for a double-strength concentrate that can be refrigerated and diluted. Unfortunately, this method completely misses the many benefits that cold-brewed coffee has to offer.
Cold-brewed coffee is 67 percent less acidic than coffee that is hot-brewed.
Cold-brewed coffee is made by soaking coffee grounds in cold water for 12 or more hours, usually brewed overnight. This method allows for a slow extraction of the coffee’s flavor, producing a super-smooth brew that has 67% less acidity than conventional hot-brewed coffee. This means that cold-brewed coffee is less bitter and easier on sensitive stomachs.
In addition to being smooth and low on acidity, cold-brewed coffee keeps for significantly longer with no loss of flavor. By brewing cold, the flavor compounds within the coffee are more stable and won’t degrade as quickly as hot brewed coffee, which can become overly bitter in a matter of hours.
A batch of cold-brewed coffee can last for up to two weeks.
Cold-brewing offers an alternate way to enjoy our delicious coffees. Try your favorite coffee brewed cold and taste the difference for yourself.
We hope you learned something new! Did you find a new brewing method to try, or confirm that your current favorite is the only way? Let us know! Remember to follow us on social for more brewing tips and to join the conversation.
