How to Choose the Right Brew Method for You

From Straightforward to Geeky, 6 Ways to Make Coffee at

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“If you buy good coffee and want to prepare it

well, you have to choose a method that lets
you express your dedication, skill, and
enthusiasm.”
— JAMES FREEMAN, BLUE BOTTLE
CRAFT OF COFFEE 
 

These days, with so many different ways to make coffee at home , you can feel
overwhelmed even before you begin. We’re here to make it simpler for you.
From our mainstay, the pour over, to the esoteric siphon pot, we’ll break down
the different ways to make coffee, highlighting the qualities in each finished
cup and the technical chops each method requires. By identifying the kind of
coffee that you’re after and how much work you’re willing to do, you’ll be able
to navigate your way to your preferred brew method. 
The Differences Among Coffee Brewing Methods
All you need to make coffee is ground coffee, water, and a filter. But to
understand the differences among coffee brewing methods, from start to finish,
we’ll look at the following variables: the texture or mouthfeel of the finished
drink (or “why we like it”); the filter material, brewing process, and tips for
grind size (or “how it works”); and the ideal mind-set and prior experience of
the home brewer (or “who’s it for”). 
Pour Over Method
W HY WE LIKE POUR OVE R COFFE E
The pour over method produces coffee with a delicate and smooth texture that
resides somewhere between juicy and tea-like. A pour over coffee’s flavor is
often at its most expressive, partly due to the filtration, which adds polish and
clarity to the cup, and partly due to the amount of water used in relation to the
ground coffee. 

HOW IT WORKS
A paper filter that fits into some sort of dripper is all you need for pour over
coffee. The paper filter results in a clarified mouthfeel as it holds back oils and
undissolved coffee particles from the final cup.

While there are countless drippers on the market, we’re partial to our version,
the Blue Bottle dripper . Engineered to take the guesswork out of brewing pour
over coffee, its conical shape cuts a similar profile to other ceramic drippers,
but its very design—a flat bed with 40 interior ridges—promotes more even
extraction, bringing out the best flavors of the coffee.  

If the pour over brew method appeals, but you’re eager to brew more than one
cup at a time, the classic Chemex carafe can brew up to 8 cups of coffee at
time. 

TIPS ON GRIND
For single-cup drippers, a medium grind size about the coarseness of sea salt is
optimal. The extraction time—the span of time from the first pour to the last—
should take fewer than 3 minutes to achieve the most balanced flavors. For
Chemex, the grind size will depend on the amount of coffee you use; if making
more than a couple of servings , you’ll want the grind size to be slightly coarser
than for a single-cup dripper, otherwise, the water will overextract the coffee,
resulting in bitterness.
W HO'S IT FOR?
Pour overs are for anyone who appreciates a short but focused morning ritual
and isn’t afraid to experiment. While drippers are considered an “entry level”
manual brew tool, using one does require focus and care. The biggest challenge
for the pour over method is the pour technique, a series of four pours in which
the stream of water leaving the kettle gently saturates the coffee grounds. Since
it’s the method we use in our cafes most, we have our pour over method down
to a science. Learn more about it in our brew guide. Throw in a scale, grinder, and
swan neck kettle and you’ll be well on your way to coffee perfection.
Coffeemaker Method
The enduring appeal of a good coffeemaker is its convenience: decent drip coffee
with the flick of a switch.  

HOW IT WORKS
Depends on the machine, but its anatomy is similar to a pour over dripper. A
conical filter sits above a pot. Place a paper filter (unless the device has a built-
in reusable filter), fill it with ground coffee, and press “start.” Like a pour over,
the paper filter results in a clarified mouthfeel.

We favor machines like the Bonavita Connoisseur that have sophisticated

functions mimicking the technique of the analog pour over method.   

TIPS ON GRIND
A medium grind size about the coarseness of sea salt is optimal. If making
more than a couple of servings, you’ll want the grind size to be slightly
coarser. 

W HO'S IT FOR?
For some, the morning is not a time of ritual. If you prize ease above all, a
decent drip coffeemaker is for you. To optimize your coffee beans, we do
recommend using a scale to weigh your fresh coffee and a decent grinder to get
the right grind size.  
French Press Method
W HY WE LIKE FRENCH PRESS
We love the full-bodied coffee that comes from the French press method. The
texture is heavier and denser than a pour over. For this reason, though French
press coffee is delicious black, it thrives with milk or cream.
HOW IT WORKS
French press is an immersion brew method, meaning coffee grounds are fully
immersed in water and then strained using a metal filter. Metal filters allow oils
and undissolved coffee particles to pass into the cup.

TIPS ON GRIND
A medium grind size that’s slightly coarser than for a pour over is optimal, like
very coarse black pepper.  

W HO'S IT FOR?
French Press is accessible to anyone, and works particularly well for people
who love their coffee with breakfast, as the French Press doubles as a serving
carafe and comes in a variety of sizes. 

The technique is straightforward, though we have a fun variation that takes 15

minutes or so. 
AeroPress Method
W HY WE LIKE AE ROPRESS
AeroPress is the Swiss army knife of brew methods. We love it for its versatility
—this is a method that welcomes improvisation—and its mouthfeel, which is
delicate and silky. AeroPress coffee can be quite concentrated and espresso-like
in its intensity, or you can finish it with boiled water, to approximate a pour
over.

HOW IT WORKS
AeroPress combines immersion (where water and coffee grounds steep, like
French press) and filtration (like pour over, because it uses paper filters ). The
plastic device was invented by engineer and physicist Alan Adler, who wanted
a faster brew method than typical drip coffee. To make it, you wet a paper
filter, fit it into the device, assemble the two plastic components, add coffee
and water, and then plunge. Out comes concentrated coffee that lends itself to
dilution with hot water. Learn one (of many) methods here.

TIPS ON GRIND
The grind size needs to be finer, approaching espresso fineness.  
W HO'S IT FOR?
AeroPress is for the traveler, the minimalist, or just a coffee enthusiast. It’s
built-in features, like numbers on the device, mean that you don’t need a scale
or a special kettle. Though once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze, brewing in
about 1 minute, the AeroPress technique takes initial investment.   
Siphon Method
W HY WE LIKE SIPHON
Looking like a mad scientist’s secret invention, the siphon brew method is
beautiful, intricate, and theatrical, and it produces a delicate, tea-like cup of
coffee. The technique can be quite persnickety, but it is, for our money, one of
the coolest brew methods available.

HOW IT WORKS
The siphon brew method uses immersion, vacuum pressure , and fire. The way the
all-glass contraption works is this: water is placed into the bottom part of the
siphon machine, a glass bulb. A flame heats the water to boiling until the water
percolates upwards to the upper part of the device, called the hopper. Once the
water reaches the right temperature, coffee grounds are added to the hot water.
After an initial stir, remove the siphon from the heat source. The change of
pressure and force of gravity will draw the coffee down, through the filter to
the bulb. For more details, read our brew guide. 

TIPS ON GRIND
Grind size should be medium, like table salt. Even more important than grind
size are aspects of the technique, like water temperature stability and agitation
of the grounds. 

W HO'S IT FOR?
Siphon-making is as esoteric as brew methods come, and probably best suited
for the experienced enthusiast, the craft hobbyist, or for someone who enjoys
showing off to her friends.
Cold Brew Method
W HY WE LIKE COLD BREW
Cold brew coffee is crisp and refreshing. The mouthfeel is silky and light.
Depending on the kind of coffee you choose to use, profiles can be gorgeously
fruity or tart, or chocolaty and rich . 

HOW IT WORKS
Cold brew is quite simple, immersing ground coffee in room temperature water
for 8 to 12 hours and then poured out through a filter. While you can use any
number of devices, we favor the Hario Cold Brew Bottle , which makes the
process as simple as can be and does double time as both the brewing device
and serving carafe. 

TIPS ON GRIND
Grind size should be medium-fine, like granulated sugar. 

W HO'S IT FOR?
Cold brew coffee, long a staple in our cafes, has more recently become a
favored brew method in our guests’ homes. It’s for everyone who wants a
refreshing brew come summertime, or any other time of year. The technique is
easy, and the results are sparkling.
Five ingredients to add to your coffee to keep you warm this winter
From cinnamon to eggnog and peppermint -- find out how you can make
your coffee more interesting

Winters are all about seeking warmth and comfort. And a large part of it comes from
consumption of healthy foods and beverages. A popular winter beverage is coffee. But
instead of having the boring old brew, why not spruce it up a bit?
Abhinav Mathur, the CEO of Something’s Brewing — a Bengaluru-based brand dedicated to
coffee — shared a list of ingredients to add to your regular cuppa and make it winter-friendly;
read on.
1. Cinnamon
Sprinkling a dash of cinnamon before serving can create a delightful brew which will remind
you of holidays. A little trick is to add ground cinnamon directly to the coffee grounds in
your drip coffee maker. This method is easy, and leaves your cinnamon spiced coffees
smoother and fragrant.

2. Chocolate
Nothing says winters like hot cocoa. Adding chocolate to your coffee is the perfect fix. It
gives a mocha flavor to your brew, so adding a piece of silky milk chocolate may be what
you’re looking for. The chocolate will slowly melt into your coffee, leaving wonderful notes
of cocoa and sugar.
3. Ginger
A gingerbread latte, or spiced ginger coffee is a low maintenance, delicious additive to your
brew. Ginger has several energising properties to keep you warm during cold months. Take it
up a notch by adding a cookie for that extra cheer.
4. Eggnog
Eggnog is a classic winter beverage. It’s creamy, sweet, reminds us of Christmas and is
perfect for a latte. The eggnog in coffee acts as a creamer, and adding a quarter cup of it to
your coffee can go a long way. Bonus points for those who add a dash of nutmeg.
5. Peppermint
Nothing says winter like candy cane. A simple ingredient of peppermint schnapps can be
added to coffee, cream, and some mint leaves to pair.