When you brew your morning cup of coffee you probably use the same brewing method every time. Actually, there are many, many ways to brew coffee so it might be rewarding to explore the many possibilities to see if you can find an easier way to make coffee, one that results in a better cup of coffee than you are getting now or even a healthier cup of coffee. What are the ways that you can brew coffee?
There Are Two Categories into Which All Coffee Brewing Methods Fit
Every single way to make coffee falls into either the steeping method or the percolation method. With steeping the coffee sits in hot water and the caffeine and antioxidants diffuse out of the coffee grounds into the water. With the percolation method hot water passes over the coffee grounds and picks up diffused caffeine and antioxidants on its way through.
Immersion Methods for Brewing Coffee
Turkish coffee, which dates back to when coffee was introduced to Europe and the rest of the world is an immersion method. Very finely ground coffee is boiled in a pot without filtering or allowing the grounds to settle. A similar method is making egg coffee back on the farm where coffee grounds are steeped in boiling water with the addition of a whole cracked egg, shell and all. This method removes some of the acidity of the coffee. Both methods are time honored and have their devotees. A popular immersion method is the use of a French press as are cold brew coffee an AeroPress.
What Are the Advantages of Brewing Coffee Via Immersion?
When you use an immersion method you retain more of the natural oils of the coffee, Your coffee will be fuller bodied with reduced bitterness. With Turkish and egg coffee you need to let the coffee sit so that the grounds settle before serving while with a French press you filter out the grounds with a metal mesh filter. One potential drawback to the immersion method is that it can allow kahweol and cafestol to remain in the coffee and not be filtered out. This, in turn can potentially raise one’s LDL or low density cholesterol which one prefers to have very low due to heart disease risk.
Percolation Methods for Brewing Coffee
The easiest method in this category is pour over coffee. Put your coffee ground in a cloth bag held over a receiving container. Boil your water, allow it to cool just a bit and put over the grounds. This is a quick and easy method that results in a great cup of coffee every time. You get enhancement of coffee flavor excellent control of the brewing process, a hands on experience, and a smooth and clean texture to your coffee. Alternatively, you can use a percolator coffee maker. This is an “automatic” process that allows you to start it and walk away while the coffee brews. However, you need to maintain the coffee maker, clean it regularly, and your coffee will tend to be “over extracted” as hot water passes repeatedly over your coffee grounds.
Which Coffee Brewing Method Is Best for You?
Every coffee brewing method has its advocates. Your choice will come down to whether you are willing to use a “hands on” approach to get something extra special like with a French Press or pour over coffee or if you opt for convenience such with a percolator coffee maker. Neither route in totally simple as you will need to maintain and clean your coffee maker and you will need to learn how to fine tune your approach for a French press of pour over coffee. Either way, good luck and enjoy your cup of Java!