Once you’ve bought your coffee beans, there are so numerous different directions that you can go in when it comes to preparing coffee, and all result in different flavours. In fact, even how you process the coffee beans , and how you grind them, can make a big difference to the resulting taste.
In this guide, we explore seven different methods for preparing the perfect cup of coffee.
Pour over
This is such a simple way to make coffee and it is great if you just want to make an individual cup for yourself to enjoy.
You need to grind your coffee beans (as is true for each of these methods) and then you can place the ground coffee in a paper filter. Water is poured on top and gravity does its job with the rest of the drink, as the water is drawn through, absorbing the flavour and nutrients in the coffee.
Pour over cones are easily available and there are many different designs that you can use. Even the type of filter will impact the flavour.
French press
The french press or cafetiere has been a very popular method of preparing coffee for a long time. The ground coffee beans are steeped in water to allow it to brew, and a filter is pushed down from the lid at the tip, ensuring that when you pour your coffee you are getting a smooth drink, free of coffee grounds.
This is a great method for preparing coffee for groups.
Aeropress
One of the newer methods of preparing coffee. Hot water is added to the grounds, immersing them in water before a high-pressure plunger is pressed allowing for intense coffee to be extracted.
You get a result that isn’t too far from an espresso taste. This method is simple and portable, making it very popular.
Cold brew
You’ve probably seen cold brew on the shelves in recent years. It has become very popular and now it can also be made at home. It’s simple really, you just put your ground coffee beans in room temperature water and allow it to brew. In spite of the name the water doesn’t have to be cold.
You can then pour the resulting mixture through a filter that gives you the amazing end-result, avoiding coffee grounds getting in your drink. Mix with water or drink as it is. This tends to have a less bitter taste than other coffees.
Moka pot
The Moka pot was patented almost 100 years ago. It is a stove top pot that uses the steam pressure from hot water. This then goes through the lower section of the coffee pot which has coffee grounds within, and this gives you the beautiful end result.
Moka pot methods need to be closely supervised and the flavour is quite different when compared to other methods of extracting the coffee.
Espresso
If you are used to going to coffee shops then there is every chance that espresso-based drinks are your normal go-to.
This can be one of the more difficult drinks to prepare at home. You have to grind the coffee beans, tamp the grounds, pull a shot (using a quality espresso machine) and then froth and warm the milk.
It requires a lot of equipment and there are many different styles of espresso makers including piston-driven and pump-driven models.
Bean to cup coffee makers
We live in the age of technology, and this can be seen perfectly in the example of bean to cup coffee makers. You can take advantage of the increase in technology with a bean to cup coffee machine.
This means that all you need to do is put in the raw ingredients, keep your machine clean, and be able to use the interface of the coffee machine in order to prepare your drinks.
The best thing about bean to cup coffee makers is the fact that they provide a lot of different options for preparing drinks. This means that you can just choose the type of beverage you want, be it barista-style coffee or a simple filter coffee. Many can also prepare cold options or simple espresso shots.
Conclusion
There are more methods than ever to make a delicious cup of coffee, and let's face it, everyone has their own opinion on what is best. The truth is that whichever method works for you is the best way to make a delicious cup of coffee and enjoy your drinks, whether you want to batch prepare coffee for a group or just make coffee for yourself.
All of the seven methods listed are worth a go when it comes to preparing coffee and working out which method you prefer.
February 2023
In collaboration with CoffeeFriend.co.uk
Photos: Coffeefriend.co.uk
