Beginners Guide: Brewing Methods

There are so many brew methods out there now, the electric coffee pots that we grew up with are fast becoming a thing of the past among some circles. Even with all of the options out there, making a great cup of coffee still takes only three basic components: ground coffee, filtered water and a filtering mechanism.

A few of the most popular brew methods are pour over, french press, auto-drip electric & AeroPress. Selecting the best one for you will depend on some key factors including brew time, technique and experience. We’ve summarized popular brew methods below for you.

Pour Over
Experience required: Intermediate recommended, but beginners who are aren’t afraid to experiment should give this ritualistic method a try.
Grind size: Medium (table salt)
Brew time: 2-4 minutes
Texture: Delicate, tea-like
Procedure: Using a consistent pour technique (pour speed, pattern & pouring phases), pour water over grounds.

French Press
Experience required: Beginner
Grind size: Very course (black pepper)
Brew time: 4-6 minutes
Texture: Silky, heavy, dense
Procedure: Immersion. Grounds are fully immersed in water and then strained using a metal filter.

Auto-Drip Electric Coffee Maker
Experience required: Entry-level
Grind size: Medium (table salt)
Brew time: 5-7 minutes
Texture: Clean
Procedure: This method basically mechanizes the pour over method, varying slightly by machine.

AeroPress
Experience required: Intermediate
Grind size: Fine, almost powdery
Brew time: 1-2 minutes
Texture: Delicate, silky
Procedure: Immersion with paper filter. Grounds are fully immersed in water and then pressure is used to extract the coffee, similar to espresso.

The pour over brew method is used for the wood pour over that we have available for purchase on our site. However, because it has a metal filter like a French Press, it allows oils and non-dissolved coffee particles to pass into the cup, resulting in a silky, dense texture.

♥ Peace Love and Coffee, Joan & David

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