There’s no doubt that coffee is a the go-to drink for the American workforce. Some people make daily stops at a locally-owned shop or popular chain on their way to work. Others brew up a pot before heading out on their morning commute.
If you’re part of the latter, or are perhaps looking to change up your morning coffee routine, there are several great ways to make an incredible cup of coffee. Step outside the world of boring coffee and try out some of these methods. You’ll be able to taste the difference.
1. Cold Brew Coffee
One type of coffee you’ve probably heard of is cold brew coffee. This smooth, alternative way to brew a cup of coffee may just leave you speechless with how simple it is to prepare and how soft it is. There’s little-to-no bitterness.
If you’re wondering how to make cold brew coffee, the process is easy, and you can make a lot ahead of time. Cold brew coffee is different because the beans are never heated during the brewing process. Hot water is used with traditional coffee brewing and greatly reduces the time it takes to extract the coffee. With cold-brewed coffee, you’re giving the beans a long soak in cold water and letting them sit for hours instead of minutes. The end result is something that’s hard to beat in the flavor department.
You’ll only need a few things to brew cold brew coffee on your own. While you can use a mix of your own materials, getting your hands on a cold brew coffee kit such as the kit sold by County Line Kitchen is simpler and easier.
To make the cold brew coffee, simply add coarse beans to the filter canister or a filter bag and purified water. Use four cups of water for every one cup of coarsely ground beans. Let the coffee beans steep in the water in your fridge for 12-15 hours. After steeping is complete, remove the beans. Now you’ll have 4 cups of delicious cold brew concentrate. The concentrate is versatile. You can create a simple ice coffee by diluting it with ice water to your preference or mix it with milk to make a cold-brew style late. The possibilities are endless.
2. Iced Coffee, The Right Way
Iced coffee might sound easy enough, but getting it right can be tricky. Have you ever made an iced coffee that didn’t have the same pizazz as the iced coffee you got at the coffee shop? This is usually because your coffee got too diluted when you made it. Pouring scorching hot coffee over some ice is likely to water down the coffee before you even take a sip.
Try some of these iced coffee brewing tips so that your next DIY iced coffee is a success;
- Make some coffee ahead of time and freeze it into ice cubes. Then, when you want to make iced coffee, pour hot coffee over the coffee ice cubes. No more diluted ice coffee!
- If you must pour your hot coffee over ice, there are a couple of things you can do. First, try to let the coffee cool down as much as possible before you pour it. Use more ice than you think you need. Each cube will need to absorb less heat and should dilute the coffee less. Lastly, brew a stronger pot of coffee. Use more coffee than you usually would to make the coffee. This will reduce how drastic the diluted coffee flavor is.
3. French Press
One method that has gained popularity over the last couple of years is the French press. It’s an older method of brewing, but the flavorful results compared to your typical drip coffee speak for themselves. French pressed coffee is something you have to try at least once.
Making coffee in a French press is simple. All you need are some coarsely ground coffee beans and hot water. Heat up some water in a goose neck kettle and slowly pour a couple inches of water over the ground beans. Wait a few seconds, then pour in the rest of the water. Let the coffee steep in the hot water for four minutes. Affix the lid and pressing filter to the press and slowly press the coffee grounds to the bottom of the French press. Pour and enjoy!
Having an excellent French press such as the Bodum 1 Liter French Press will make it easy. If you struggle to get the water temperature right every time on a stovetop, try this electric gooseneck kettle with built-in temperature control.
4. Aeropress
The Aeropress works in a very similar fashion to the French Press. The principle is the same, but, the apparatus that makes the coffee is slightly different. It’s also more portable than a traditional French press. People who have tried both split the aisle as far as which one is better.
The Aeropress brews coffee 6-8 ounces at a time instead of the larger French press, which can brew a full liter of coffee. Not everyone needs a liter, so the Aeropress is a great option for those on the go. There are less parts to clean on the Aeropress, making clean-up a lot less challenging.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, you can get an Aeropress for yourself here.
5. Pour Over Coffee
Another trend to hit coffee bars recently is the pour over. This method involves applying a small filter directly over the cup or pot of coffee. Coffee grounds are added to the filter, and hot water is poured over the beans. A small port on the bottom prevents the water from flowing through too quickly, allowing the coffee to brew before draining into the cup.
The Bodum 1 liter pour over coffee maker is a great choice for coffee enthusiasts and java rookies alike.
6. Drip Coffee
This is the coffee brewing method that most of us are familiar with. A filter is filled with ground beans and hot water is dispensed onto the filter. It then percolates down into a coffee carafe. One of the biggest mistakes people make with drip coffee makers is not using enough coffee. A drip coffee maker typically calls for 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of coffee. So, if you intend to make a full 12-cup pot of coffee, expect to use 32 tablespoons (or two full cups) of ground coffee for a full, rich flavor.
How To Make Coffee Even Better
The different coffee-making methods listed above can all improve the flavor and quality of the coffee you brew. Another way to improve the flavor of your coffee, whether you make drip coffee or pour-over coffee, is to use higher quality coffee beans. Branch out from the mass-produced bags of coffee from stores and buy a few bags from local roasters. You’ll notice a quality difference instantly.
Have you tried all the coffee brewing methods above? If you love coffee and haven’t tried theses wonderful coffee brewing methods, be sure to check one or two out the next time you go out for coffee or need a new coffee machine.
