Four different ways to brew coffee

No professional coffee machine at home? No problem! Alternative brewing methods offer several practical ways to make your coffee. Let us forget about coffee machines for a moment and focus on the equipment and methods that can replace them effectively and inexpensively. Let us get started!

Method 1: French press

A French press is a very simple, convenient coffee maker. The basic method is to pour water at around 90°C over the coffee, leave it to brew for a few minutes and then press down the distinctive plunger and mesh filter. The filter has an important job: separating the grounds from the drink. If you are looking for an inexpensive brewer that makes several cups rather than just one, with a rich flavour and aroma and without those troublesome grounds, a French press is certainly worth considering.

Method 2: AeroPress

The AeroPress is another easy-to-use brewer. Its distinctive feature is that it combines elements of three brewing methods: pressure brewing, pour-over and the French press described above. How does this unusually shaped device work? Think of a syringe. You pour water at the appropriate temperature over ground coffee, then press it through an AeroPress paper filter, removing the unpleasant grounds along the way. This method produces 250 ml of coffee.

One invaluable advantage of the AeroPress is the freedom it gives you to experiment with brewing time, water temperature and grind size. Its compact size and light weight are hard to beat too. That means you can take it almost anywhere — to work, on holiday and beyond.

Method 3: Chemex

Next comes the Chemex, a coffee maker with a truly distinctive design. Did you know it can be found in New York's Museum of Modern Art? That is quite an honour!

Brewing coffee in a Chemex does not require advanced techniques.

1. Remember to use around 6–10 g of coffee for every 100 ml of water.
2. The grind size is important: use a medium grind.
3. Place a Chemex paper filter in the brewer. It removes sediment as well as unwanted coffee oils and fats.
4. Add your measured coffee to the filter.
5. Slowly pour hot water over the coffee; the recommended temperature here is around 90°C.
6. Brew for 3–5 minutes.

In terms of flavour and aroma, Chemex coffee is described as delicate and free from bitterness, with a pleasantly intense fragrance.

But its distinctive taste is not the only attraction. A Chemex can also make a generous amount of coffee — up to six cups — which is especially useful when family or friends visit. It is easy to keep clean too, as it can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

Method 4: Dripper

A dripper is undoubtedly worth a look if you want delicious, aromatic pour-over coffee. Its cone-shaped design has sides angled at 60 degrees. At first glance, it looks much like a cup that narrows towards the bottom, with a base attached.

To brew coffee in a dripper, you will need the right accessories: the dripper itself, a glass server, paper filters, a coffee scoop and, of course, coarsely ground coffee. Our online shop offers both the Hario V60 pour-over brewing set and freshly roasted coffee.

The principle is simple. Put a filter containing coffee — around 6 g per 100 ml of water — into the dripper and place the brewer over the server. Then slowly pour hot water at around 90°C over the grounds. After a few minutes, you have a consistent, clean-tasting coffee.

Why consider a dripper at all? Coffee prepared this way is closest in style to a classic Americano. If that is your favourite, this brewer could be the one for you.

Read also: Turmeric latte: a drink for fans of a healthy lifestyle