How to Choose the Best Brewing Method for Your Coffee

Morning coffee is an essential part of any wake-up routine.

The fragrance of the brew, the swirling steam, the addition of milk or cream (if you like) all add up to create a wondrous experience that we cannot start our day without.

In this guide, we’re going to look at various coffee brewing methods, so you can get the cup of coffee that’s just right for you. Whether you value convenience, affordability, or want something eccentric to show off with, each brewing method comes with its own unique taste, pros, and cons. Understanding these differences is key to making the best, most tasty coffee you’ve ever had.

Instant Coffee

Let’s start with the classic. Instant coffee, as the name suggests, is basically pre-made coffee. Simply add boiled water for immediate coffee goodness. Although instant coffee is the king of convenience, the flavors tend to be less impressive than other brewing methods, and any coffee connoisseur will likely be disappointed with the results.

That said, instant coffee is growing in quality: no longer a dumping ground for cheap beans. Brewers such as Starbucks have created instant coffees from arabica beans that offer a considerable improvement to older instant coffee options.

Pros

• Convenient
• Cheap
• No special equipment required

Cons

• Not the tastiest cup of coffee

Capsule Coffee Machines 

Capsule coffee makers combine the convenience of instant coffee with more complex brewing methods to create tasty coffee that’s ready in seconds. All you need to do is find coffee pods that fit in your coffee maker, pop them into the machine, and hit a button. The device will do the hard work for you!

The main drawback to a capsule coffee maker is the waste they produce when brewing coffee. Although some brands are moving towards recyclable coffee pods, this coffee brewing method’s single-use nature may put-off more eco-conscious households.

Pros

• Convenient
• Great flavor
• Huge range of coffee options
• Stylish

Cons

• Single-use pods
• Even if pods can be recycled, this usually takes a lot of hassle
• More expensive than coffee beans
• Need to pay for a machine

Drip Coffee Machines

A key feature of most American kitchens is the drip-style of coffee brewing. Perfect for ensuring you have a nice hot cup of coffee waiting for you when you wake up. Use quality coffee beans, and you’ll be able to enjoy a perfectly good coffee at any time.

Pros

• Coffee is ready when you get up
• Keeps your coffee warm for a few hours
• Easy to make multiple cups of coffee at once
• Capable of creating tasty coffee if you choose the right beans

Cons

• Requires preparation, so less convenient than instant or machine-brewed coffee
• Needs cleaning after every use

French Press / Cafetiere 

We all know the Europeans are experts on artisanal and quality coffee, so the French Press is naturally one of the best ways to make coffee. The down-side to the French Press is that it’s easy to get wrong: brew for too long or not long enough or use the wrong coffee, and your drink will be a disaster! That said, master the French Press technique, and you’ll have a gorgeous beverage whenever you need it.

Pros

• No need to buy filters
• Allows natural oils and proteins to remain in the final cup
• Available in a range of sizes

Cons

• Tricky to master
• Can take up to 15 minutes to brew the perfect cup, so it’s a time-consuming process

Pour-Over Coffee

If you really want to impress with your home-brewed coffee, then you can’t go far wrong with the pour-over brew method. The process sounds simple enough – place coffee ground in a paper filter and pour hot water through – but there are so many ways to get pour-overs wrong!

To create a gorgeous pour-over coffee, you’ll need to pay attention to how much water you use, how fast you pour, the water temperature, and the beans’ quality and quantity.

A gooseneck kettle – like this one: https://unocasa.com/products/gooseneck-kettle – might not be essential for pour-overs. But combined with a coffee grinder and set of scales, they can really make a difference to the quality of your pour-over coffee.

Pros

• Incredible tasting coffee
• Offers the chance to experiment and enjoy the art of making coffee
• No undissolved coffee grounds in the final cup

Cons

• You’ll need equipment including a grinder, scales, brewer, and gooseneck kettle
• Requires constant attention
• Numerous things can go wrong

Final Thoughts

Whichever brew methods you prefer to make coffee at home, getting the right tools and techniques can make all the difference. Take care to choose the best coffee brewing method, and compliment any coffee with quality beans and a bit of love.