There are many different ways to brew a cup of coffee, and small differences in the process can mean great differences in taste. Certain methods are also more expensive, time-consuming, or messy than others. With only two components, coffee grounds and hot water--it is surprising how many kinds of coffee makers have been invented. The four different common ways to brew coffee are automatic drip, percolator, vacuum, and French press, and each of these has its own drawbacks and advantages.
First, you should know some key tips for brewing a cup of coffee to determine whether it or not you really need a new coffee maker. Use beans that are as fresh as possible and preferably freshly grounded. This will make a vast difference in taste in your coffee. You should use cold, pure water heated to 170 – 190 F, never boiling. Also, never reheat coffee because this causes chemicals within it to break down and cause a bitter taste. On the other hand, chilled coffee has a more muted taste, which is why frozen espresso drinks are popular around the country even among many people who don’t normally enjoy coffee.
Also, never use a coffee maker that reheats the coffee. Glass carafes that sit on heaters can cause the coffee at the bottom of the pot to burn and alter the taste. Therefore, a stainless steel thermally insulated carafe is preferable and will keep the coffee warm for several hours. Clean your coffee maker every few months by running a solution of vinegar then water through it with no coffee. You can also purchase products specifically designed for cleaning coffee makers.
The most familiar method of brewing coffee is the automatic drip machine. Even an inexpensive machine can produce a decent cup of coffee with little preparation. Hot water is heated to the correct temperature then poured over the coffee grounds. Using a gold-plated filter will allow more flavor to be released into the coffee, though some people may prefer the less robust taste produced with paper filters.
The other most common method of brewing coffee is the percolator. Water is heated inside the machine and forced up through a glass tube into the coffee grounds. The disadvantage of this method is that it boils the coffee to force it through the tube, which produces a bitter taste. Although the self-contained unit is convenient for picnics and camping trips, you will probably become dissatisfied using this machine for your everyday morning cup.
Another, less familiar method is vacuum brewing, which consists of two stacked glass pots. Water is poured into the lower pot and heated to nearly boiling, while the upper chamber is filled with coffee grounds. A tube connects the two sections, and the grounds and hot water are pulled together to produce coffee. Models that come with a timer can produce coffee that is just as convenient as the automatic drip method, and this method produces a very clean cup.
The French press, or press pot, is one of the best methods to brew coffee and is often used at professional coffee tasting shows. A tall glass or metal jar is used along with a plunger with a mesh filter at the bottom. Coffee grounds are placed at the bottom of the container, and hot water is poured over them. The coffee is allowed to steep for several minutes, then the plunger is pressed down over the grounds. Then the coffee may be poured out the top. Coffee beans should be ground coarsely for a French press because a common complaint is the leftover grounds at the bottom of the cup which made it through the wire mesh into the coffee.
These are all the common methods of brewing coffee. The drip machine wins out overall in convenience, and the press pot is an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts willing to learn how to use it and spend a little extra time in preparation. You do not need to spend a fortune on a good coffee maker. You just need to know how your particular machine works and how to optimize the process.
