America loves coffee. We drink it, bake it, bathe with it, and even scent it in our candles. You don’t need to go far to get your hands on a traditional coffee maker, but what if I told you you’re doing it all wrong. Here is 3 delicious coffee brewing techniques we recommend that you won’t regret. Plus pro tips to level up your barista game.
French Press
The French Press machine is a glass, cylinder mug, with a handle and “plunger top.” This device is great for the coffeeholic that craves the taste of the coffee bean. How fine or coarse your coffee beans are ground will alter the potency of your drink. The French Press is a hands-on solution to brewing stronger coffee. You simply fill the mug with water, grinds, and let it sit for 2-4 minuets. When “Times Up!” use the plunger top to press the beans to the bottom of the mug and pour out the pure liquid.
“I recommend decanting the French Press before serving, because if you leave it sitting there it will actually keep extracting and end up tasting bitter
-Mike Jones, Barista
The Moka Pot
If you love all thing aesthetically pleasing, the Moka Pot will melt your heart. The adorable, teacup reminiscent, stove top brewer, acts like a small fountain boiling coffee magic. The pot is notorious for its espresso like taste without the expresso machine. Popularized in Italy, this machine is great for the minimalist who prefers a small cup of robust brew.
“There’s kind of a lie that floats around that having a buildup of old coffee (in the grind holster) is good. That old, stale, rancid coffee is going to contribute to a little bit of bitterness to the cup, so you want to keep it nice and clean.”
-James Hoffmann, Coffee Expert
The Pour-Over Method
The pour-over method though simplistic in design requires an experienced coffee-connoisseur to correctly execute the technique. At first glance you’ll notice a pour-over brewer consists of 2 different pieces: the mug base and the cone top.
“Before you pour your coffee into a cup, pour some hot water in the cup and let it warm up for 20-30 seconds. Then you can dump that water out and add in your coffee to drink.”
-Ethan Chlebowski, Food Based YouTuber
Some models such as the “Chemex” are notorious for being a single compiled unit, often complicating the already sophisticated process. If you find yourself in the realm of photography and social media, a pour-over brewer is rather Instagram worthy. This technique is not for the newbs, but a great addition for the passionate and enthusiastic coffee creators.