Everybody likes a different cup of coffee, which is why it is important to dissect the different popular coffee brewing methods and the pros and cons of each. When it comes to finding the ideal coffee brewing method for you, expect trial and error, taste testing, and some learning curves. A note before beginning; brewing methods are best conducted using filtered water at a temperature of 93.3 degrees Celsius or 200 degrees Fahrenheit (this ends up being around 40-60 seconds off of a full boil). For the best tasting brew beans should be as fresh as possible. We recommend browsing our options of fresh, local, and sustainably sourced beans, the roast date is handwritten on each bag to ensure you are using the freshest beans for your brew. We also sell loose leaf tea! Click here to browse our options and pick the best suited for you.
Espresso Machines
The Italian word “Espresso” can be translated into a few different key meanings which can help explain the meaning and methods behind brewing espresso. Espresso can be translated as “made to order”. It can also be translated to the word “fast” which refers to the quick extraction time (between 25-30 seconds for an ideal shot), and the word “pressed”, which reflects the use of pressure which is key to brewing the perfect espresso. Coffee is brewed one cup at a time, so there is little waste or recycled coffee. Coffee is pressed to extract a rich and delicious brew, minus any bitterness. A single shot of espresso has 1 oz volume and contains around 47 to 64 mg of caffeine, however, double shots are the most common shot type extracted from the machine. Espresso machines are pricey and require extensive upkeep. Once you own an espresso machine, you conveniently don’t need many excess items to help brew coffee (filters, kettles, etc). Using an espresso machine to achieve the perfect brew will definitely do the trick, but there is a steep learning curve involved in creating the perfect cup and getting to know your machine. Espresso machines are great and efficient but are not necessarily practical for at-home use if you lack proper training.
Pour-Over Method
Pour overs require minimal equipment, and they can even be crafted using things around the house. The intended setup for a pour-over brew would be a filter, a holder for the filter, a method of boiling water, and something to collect the brew being filtered through. The purpose of the filter is not only to keep small grounds from slipping through into your brew, but also to catch sediments and oils thus preventing bitterness. The method of using a pour-over is good since it can be consistent as long as you are keeping track of the ratios used when making your perfect cup of coffee. Pour-overs can be manufactured so that you can extract numerous cups of coffee or as little as one cup of coffee. To keep it simple we recommend a smaller pour-over meant to produce 1-2 cups of coffee. For a single rich cup of coffee (8oz) it is recommended to use around 2.5 level tablespoons of grounds and then allow the boiling water to filter through. When your ratio is off, some people report a murky or weak-tasting coffee. This is why it is important to find what you like and play around with ratios to match your standards. This method is not the quickest way to brew coffee, but it still only takes roughly 3-4 minutes. The pour-over method is foolproof, and guaranteed to produce consistently good coffee at a relatively inexpensive price. The pour-over does come with a lot of moving parts such as a method to boil water, filters, and a straw-like tool to properly clean the pour-over. These things may need to be consistently repurchased and included in your regular shopping trips. Anyone could make a coffee using this method, and it is a solid, inexpensive, simple, and trusted method used to brew the perfect cup of coffee.
Auto Drip Method
Drip machines are a common household machine used to brew coffee. The motto associated with an auto drip method of brewing coffee is to “set it and forget it”. Auto drip machines are usually well priced for the coffee that they produce. It is a reasonable investment for a trusted
machine that is not difficult to maneuver. These machines do require a little adjusting to help tailor the brew to your liking. With a drip machine, you will need filters, and a method to catch the coffee. For an auto drip, you essentially insert a filter, measure out and add your ground coffee, and then program the machine to start. Ratios can vary so it's best to double-check the instructions on your machine and make alterations from there depending on your liking. Over time the coffee will start slowly dripping out and the aroma will fill the room. These machines are straightforward and can make a lot of coffee. Mornings are busy times, so it's useful to be able to do other things while your coffee is brewing. Waiting is still involved and depending on the machine a brew could take around 3-12 minutes, but not having to remain on standby is a perk of the auto-drip machine. These machines do need to be cleaned frequently, and if you forget your grounds in the machine (it happens) you can find mould which would require deep cleaning. It is imperative to not leave any grounds left in the machine, so attention to this detail is required. Some people are not a fan of not being able to directly engage in the brewing process, if this sounds like you then some other brewing methods may benefit you more. The auto drip is straightforward, relatively quick, and provides consistent coffee. They are pricier than a pour over would be, but cheaper than an espresso machine. Auto drips serve as a decent middle-ground for making a good brew, hence why they are so common.
Moka Pot
A moka pot is the most similar brewing method to an espresso machine. Moka pots are stovetop coffee makers, and they use the heat from the stovetop to force water through the coffee grounds upwards into a pot. It uses pressure from the steam to move the water upwards, which is similar to espresso’s use of pressure. An espresso machine needs 9 bars of pressure to create brew whereas the moka pot uses 1- 1.5 bars of pressure. This means the coffee is more robust than espresso is. This is to ensure the coffee is lighter and less strong. The larger the
pot, the fussier the brew so it is recommended to get the smallest size that would work for your needs. A common complaint about the moka pot is that it tastes over-extracted which results in a more bitter brew. To avoid this many people actually mix the moka pot brew with water, similar to an Americano. The moka pot method takes around 5-10 minutes depending on which moka pot you use. These pots are small, compact, and pretty simple to operate. They are cheaper than espresso machines but can be pricey. Aluminum pots specifically are cheaper and more common, but stainless steel moka pots seem to function better and distribute heat more evenly. Moka pots involve fewer moving parts than other methods mentioned before, which makes them convenient and easy to travel with. Moka pots do offer less customization than espresso machines, drip coffee, etc since there is really only one way to utilize them. They are efficient and can provide delicious strong coffee, but if you prefer to customize and alter your coffee then a more customizable brewing option would be best suited to your needs.
Remember...
The good news is that no matter which brewing method you choose to use, you can always count on amazing coffee when using Lake Simcoe Coffee Co. beans, freshly roasted to ensure the best local coffee around! Place an order at https://www.lakesimcoecoffee.ca/new-products, and check where you can buy our merchandise in store!