From keeping it simple to all the way weird coffee methods. Learn 3 ways you can make coffee at home
I am a coffee fanatic. Once you go to a proper coffee, you can’t go back. You cannot go back.
-Hugh Laurie
Since the start of the early 2010s, coffee has seen a dramatic increase in quality due to the global appreciation of coffee as a commodity rather than a necessity. Nowadays there are so many weird & complex ways you can make coffee at home. With so many different types of coffee brewing techniques that means there is a technique ideal for you. With this guide, we hope that you can identify the kind of coffee that you’re after and how much work you’re willing to do.
The Differences Between Coffee Brewing Techniques
Making a pot of coffee is simple. All you need is grounded coffee, a filter, a vessel & water yet this isn’t what this guide is about. We are going to get a little weird with our techniques. I know there is a technique out there for you so let’s see what kind of technique fits for you.
Keep these variables in mind while reading our guide:
- Texture & mouthfeel of the finished coffee
- The material of the filter
- The brewing process
- Grind size
First Technique:
The Barista’s Special: Pour-Over Method
The pour-over method results in a smooth, delicate taste that is halfway between juicy and tea-like. The pour-over method reveals the most flavor, in part due to the filtering, which gives a polish and clarity to the cup. This is in part due to the quantity of water used relative to the ground coffee.
How does Pour Over Coffee Method Work?
The pour-over filter comes in metal & paper filters but, trust me, paper filters have constantly delivered better results due to the small size of the holes per inch & suitability to absorb oil from the coffee. Paper filters will provide you with a clean & polished mouthfeel since it holds back oils as well as the undissolved coffee particles.
The dripper that goes with the filter will traditionally have a conical shape with varying degrees. The materials used for drippers also differs from ceramic, to plastic, to metal alloy.
The Pour Over technique has been around since the early 1900s but it wasn’t until the 70′ & 80’s when Japan elevated the quality of pour experience with the invention of the Kono. Most of our current brewing techniques were passed down the grapevines through Japanese methods. Nowadays Pour Over method techniques are vast & weird but we are all for it.
We’ll be honest, pour over is not ideal for those that want a fast coffee. This craft requires focus & technique. You will be doing some math at first to get the brew taste just right but for coffee fanatics that love to optimize their experience, we love this.
How To Grind
Single-cup drippers are the most common size for pour-overs which requires a coffee grind that is kosher salt consistency. The grind size can differ depending on the roast level, coffee region, varietal, & age of the coffee.
How To Pour
Make sure you have a food scale that’s waterproof, a coffee grinder, and a swan neck kettle for precision. When it comes to pouring there are a lot of interesting techniques and each specializes in different types of coffees. We recommend that you start with the 4:6 method invented by the 2016 world’s Brewer Cups Champion Tetsu Kasuya.
Coffeemaker Technique:
Ideal for simplicity & efficiency with only a few actions, you can have hot coffee brewed for you in the morning or whenever you please. This technique applies to your grandma’s coffee maker or something more elevated like the Ninja Coffee maker. Think about the coffee maker like an automated pour-over because we are dealing with very similar principles.
How To Grind
For coffee makers, we are looking for a medium-sized grind similar to sea salt (not kosher salt).
How To Brew
Coffeemakers can be quite delicious so keep these methods in mind when brewing. Weigh your coffee beans before grinding, grind at the point of brewing rather than days before, use the correct size filters for your brewer, and use quality water instead of tap water. Filtrated water is just fine for brewing at home. Stir before drinking & enjoy!
Cold Brew Method
One of our favorites & most talked about coffee drinks that we sell at Palate Coffee Roasters is the Nitro Cold Brew on tap. Making this at home will require some overnight preparation & space to contain the coffee but the results are worth it. You won’t have to wake up & make coffee every morning once you get this technique down. The finished taste on a good cold brew is silky and light with a crisp & refreshing feel.
How To Grind
Grinds can vary but results are typically better at a coarse setting. If you are unsure just set your grinder to the coarsest setting since you want to let the coffee steep overnight.
How To Brew
The process is simple & once your muscle memory understands the steps necessary for the technique you won’t think twice about how to make this delicacy. Cold-brew is generally immersed underwater for about 8 to 16 hours and then poured out through a filter. Once you have poured the concentrated dose then mix with purified water to lighten the potency.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide was able to inform you enough to make some weird coffee decisions. Honestly, the coffee culture is weird & we embrace that at Palate Coffee Roasters. Comment below to let us know one of your weird brewing techniques. We are excited to share our love for coffee with you!
