How To Pick The Perfect Coffee Brew Method

Coffee can be  a diverse drink, made more complex by the different methods of brewing available. The method you choose can dramatically impact the flavor, body, and overall experience of your coffee.

Coffee has four main styles of brewing: immersion, pour over/drip brewing, pressure, and cold brew. We’ve broken down the benefits of these popular coffee brew styles and the specific methods you can try.

I. Immersion Brewing

In immersion brewing, coffee grounds are fully submerged in hot water for a period of time, then filtered out. This allows for full, even extraction.

1. French Press

The Benefit: Full Body & Richness.

A metal mesh filter allows natural oils and fine particles (called "fines") to pass into your cup. This creates a heavy mouthfeel and a robust, "coffee-forward" flavor that many people associate with a classic, strong cup.

Best For: Those who love a textured, robust cup and don't mind a bit of sediment. Excellent for bringing out chocolatey, nutty, and earthy notes in darker roasts.

2. AeroPress

The Benefit: Versatility & Speed.

This is the Swiss Army knife of coffee. You can use it like a French Press (immersion) and then use air pressure to push the coffee through a filter (percolation). This results in a clean, full-bodied, and intense cup in under two minutes. 

Best For: Travel, office use, and experimenters. You can make anything from a strong espresso-like concentrate to a clean Americano-style coffee.

3. Clever Dripper

The Benefit: The Best of Both Worlds.

It looks like a pour over, however it is an immersion brewer (like a French Press) that uses a paper filter (like a V60). You steep the coffee in the top conical part, before filtering it into your cup like a pour over.

You get the full, even extraction and rich flavor of immersion, but the paper filter removes the oils and sediment, resulting in an exceptionally clean and crisp cup.

Best For: Those who want the flavor clarity of a pour-over without the technique. It's very easy and consistent.

II. Pour-Over / Drip Brewing

In pour over and drip brewing, hot water is poured over a bed of coffee grounds, which then immediately passes through a filter. This allows for control and clarity.

4. The Hario V60 / Kalita Wave / Chemex Style Pour-Over 

The Benefit: Clarity & Complexity.

The paper filter traps almost all oils and sediment, allowing the delicate, nuanced flavors of the coffee to shine through. The pour-over method gives the brewer precise control over water flow, temperature, and saturation, which helps to bring out the delicate flavors and aromas of the beans.

When using a pour-over properly, connoisseurs turn coffee into an art form by utilizing a scale to measure the coffee and water weight, to provide a precise and elevated experience.

Best For: Coffee connoisseurs who enjoy single-origin coffees and appreciate the ritual of brewing. 

5. Automatic Drip Machine

The Benefit: Convenience & Consistency.

Set it and forget it. A high-quality machine and a thermal carafe will slowly saturate the grounds evenly and not burn the coffee. It's perfect for making multiple cups with minimal effort.

Best For: Busy mornings, offices, and brewing for a crowd. When done right, it can produce a quick, very clean, and balanced cup.

III. Pressure Brewing

Pressure brewing involves hot water forced under pressure through finely-ground coffee, creating a concentrated brew.

6. Espresso Machine

The Benefit: Intensity & Foundation for Drinks.

Espresso machines are the classic Italian coffee experience. With espresso machines, high pressure extracts a very concentrated, full-flavored, and viscous shot of espresso with a signature layer of crema (the golden foam on top). It's the base for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks.

For the best experience with an espresso machine, choose beans that are specially roasted for espresso, like our own Segafredo espresso whole beans. Make sure to grind them finely, as well.

Best For: Those who love strong, concentrated espresso or milk-based espresso drinks. It requires more investment and skill.

7. Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)

The Benefit: Strong, Rich Coffee without an Expensive Machine.

The moka pot uses steam pressure to push water through coffee grounds, creating a strong, concentrated brew that resembles espresso (though it's not true espresso). It produces a heavier body and more intense flavor than most other non-pressure methods.

Best For: Those wanting an espresso-like experience at home on a budget. Great for making strong coffee for milk drinks or just sipping small portions.

IV. Cold Brew

Cold brew is a specialized method for making cold coffee.

8. Cold Brew

The Benefit: Low Acidity & Smooth, Sweet Flavor.

By steeping coarse grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours, you extract the sugars and flavor compounds without the acidic oils. The result is an incredibly smooth, less bitter, and naturally sweet concentrated coffee that is perfect over ice.

Best For: Iced coffee lovers, those with sensitive stomachs, and hot summer days.

How to Choose the Right Method for You

• If you love strong, textured coffee: go with a French press.
• If you want to taste the subtle, fruity notes of a high-quality single-origin bean: a pour-over is your best bet.
• If you need speed, convenience, and versatility for one person: the AeroPress is unbeatable.
• If you primarily drink lattes and cappuccinos: invest in an espresso machine or start with a moka pot.
• If you want the easiest, most consistent way to make multiple cups: a high-quality automatic drip machine is perfect.
• If you love iced coffee or have a sensitive stomach: cold brew will change your life.
  

Ultimately, the "best" method is the one that makes a cup of coffee you enjoy the most. Happy brewing.