Top 10 Coffee Brew Methods
My wife recently showed me a video of someone listing their favourite brewing methods and it got me thinking. When I actually reviewed the number of ways I brew coffee, though, I came up with only eight, so I threw in two bonuses at the end.
Here goes
- Wacaco Pico Presso
After years of taking my AeroPress on the road, I borrowed a friend's minipresso and was impressed. It wasn't a perfect espresso, but it was decent for what it was. I got this step up but was generally underwhelmed. It's hard to get a very good extraction out of this. Sometimes I luck out and make an OK cup, but maybe I just don't use it enough to have perfected it. That said, it's not terrible and still beats a k-cup or whatever nastiness I tend to find in hotels.
- Moka Pot
I actually quite like the strong cup I get out of this. There's something charming about this single-cup perc. But I really only use it very seldomly. It's a bit messy and cumbersome and it gets extremely hot, making it necessary to let cool off in between brews. Still, in the right setting it's fun and delicious.
- Classic
A regular home electric coffee pot can actually make a very good brew if your beans are fresh and your machine is in good, clean condition.
- Cold Brew
A seasonal treat. I just make it with a purpose-made canvas bag in a large mason jar. It's messy and cumbersome, yes, but results in a very satisfying cup over ice, with a bit of oat milk.
- Aeropress
Not quite espresso, not quite a French press, but some of the qualities of both. I tend to have better luck with darker roasts, but have generally had really consistently excellent cups out of this gadget.
- V60
I likely make more cups with a V60 than any other method. It's simple, relaxing, and makes an excellent, smooth cup, basically every time (as long as I get the grind right).
- Chemex
I don't use this as much as I should. This makes a beautifully smooth cup. It's practically perfect in every way. ☂️
- Espresso
Sorry to be cliché, but I'd be content to drink nothing but espresso (and espress-based drinks) forever. It makes a very strong brew, and when done correctly is practically divine. This is literally the only reason I will get out of bed on a bad day. I can't remember life before having an espresso machine and don't want to.
A couple of honourable mentions
- French Press
I've never had one I didn't like. Good, strong coffee. I've always put off getting one because I probably shouldn't get another coffee gadget, but this could be an easy sell for me one day.
- Syphon
These are just silly, but I kinda love them. They actually make a good cup, but more importantly, they are ridiculous. I do want one.
That's about all I've got on this topic. What's your favourite method? Anything I've missed on this list?