Coffee is not only one of the most popular stimulants in the world, but also a major source of caffeine. Methods for making delicious coffee at home are constantly being refined . The dynamically developing market offers many options for preparing your favorite coffee. This results in an increasing number and variety of brewing devices, divided into espresso machines and alternative methods such as drip, Aeropress, French press, and Chemex. What should you choose, and how can you make good coffee at home?

Coffee beans or ground coffee?

But first, coffee! Deciding between beans or ground coffee? Ground coffee simply opens and prepares as you like . However, unlike beans, it deteriorates more quickly after opening, losing its unique flavor and aroma. It's also often unsuitable for making certain types of coffee, such as espresso. It's best to select beans and grind them just before preparing the drink . Freshly ground coffee beans have a richer aroma and flavor. Furthermore, they have greater stimulating and concentration-enhancing properties, and are richer in nutritional value.

What coffee grinder?

If you have coffee beans, a suitable grinder will come in handy. Commercially available grinders include:

• manual grinder - allows you to grind coffee by hand, it takes a little longer, but for some it has become a morning ritual that puts them in a good mood and slowly reveals the aromatic qualities of a given coffee.
• and depending on the model and company, we get manual grinders with a more or less precise system for regulating the degree of grinding;
• electric grinder - allows you to quickly grind coffee and prepare a larger amount of it at the same time;
• blade (impact) grinder - chops the coffee into pieces of various sizes rather than grinding it, so it is difficult to talk about the repeatability and quality of the ground coffee in this case.

Coffee brewing methods

There are many methods for brewing coffee. Depending on the device you choose, the methods will vary in time and the method used to prepare your favorite coffee. It's time to learn them!

Brewing coffee in a drip coffee machine

Drip coffee is an increasingly popular way to brew coffee . There are a variety of coffee machines on the market, typically chosen based on quality, price, size, and style.

How to make coffee in a drip coffee machine?

We place a paper filter in the coffee container and then pour in the appropriately ground coffee. The next step is to pour the appropriate amount of water into the tank with the heating element. After boiling, the water is poured through the filter with the coffee, and the beverage is sipped into the jug. The entire process takes from a few to several minutes (depending on the type of device). A brew from a drip coffee maker is characterized by a richer and more delicate flavor and a higher caffeine content .

Making Turkish coffee

Turkish coffee is the perfect home brew for lovers of very black, aromatic, and strong coffee . Preparing it is a true ritual, requiring a special pot.

How to make Turkish coffee?

First, pour ground coffee, sugar, and spices (of your choice) into a small pot. Then, place it over low heat and heat (but do not allow it to boil). When foam forms on the surface, remove the pot from the heat and wait for it to subside. Repeat this process twice. Finally, pour the foam into the bottom of a cup and pour the coffee over it.

Pressure coffee maker

The espresso maker is most popular in Europe and is associated with the Italian method of brewing coffee . It consists of three parts: a water reservoir, a strainer for ground coffee, and an upper section into which the finished brew is poured.

How to prepare good coffee in a coffee maker?

Pour water into the lower reservoir and finely ground coffee into the strainer. Then, close the lid and place the kettle on a gas or electric burner (depending on the model). As it heats, the boiling water will create pressure, forcing it through the strainer and coffee into the upper reservoir. Once you hear the bubbling sound, remove the coffee maker from the burner and pour the beverage into cups. The brew obtained from the coffee maker will resemble the consistency of espresso coffee more closely . It will be thick and intense in flavor, perfect for lovers of homemade espresso and milk-based coffees.

Fun fact:

The creator of the most popular Bialetti coffee maker model (Renato Bialetti), when he passed away in 2016, asked to be buried in a large coffee maker.

French Press

The French press is also known as a piston brewer. As the name suggests, it was invented in France , but is most popular in the UK. It's a glass or metal cylinder with a plunger and a strainer inside. Homemade coffee prepared in it tastes similar to drip coffee and is distinguished by its ease and speed of preparation .

How to make good coffee in a French Press?

Simply pour the coffee into the infuser, then pour hot water over it. After about 3-5 minutes, press the plunger down to filter the finished beverage. Pour the prepared coffee into cups or mugs.

Aeropress

The AeroPress is a manual coffee maker, designed to resemble a large syringe . It's the newest method of brewing drip coffee at home, invented by Alan Adler in 2005. It's a simple device, perfect for those who enjoy traveling.

How to make tasty coffee at home with AeroPress?

This device consists of 3 parts:

• a strainer into which the filter is inserted,
• the middle part where the coffee is,
• a plunger used to press the coffee.

The simplest method is to finely grind the coffee, pour hot water (approx. 95°C), screw on the strainer with the pre-prepared filter, and after about two minutes, press the mixture into a cup. However, this device offers endless possibilities. For this reason , every year, almost every country in the world hosts competitions showcasing their own brewing methods . A national winner is selected, who then represents their country in international championships. Poles have won the AeroPress gold medal many times.

Siphon

The siphon is one of the oldest coffee-making devices. An invention from the 1830s, its origins are mysterious . It resembles laboratory equipment and is composed of two glass flasks, a stand, and a burner. Preparing coffee at home with it is time-consuming, but for the most discerning coffee enthusiasts, it's a veritable ritual and a stunning spectacle for those interested.

How to make tasty coffee in a Siphon?

First, pour water into the lower reservoir. The heating and pressure will force it upward. Once the water is in the upper reservoir, add the coffee and brew for about 1-2 minutes. Then, turn off the burner; the coffee will begin to settle and can be poured into a cup.

Chemex

The Chemex is a pour-over device and method. It was designed in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm, who wanted to extract extract as much flavor from the coffee as possible. You'll quickly recognize a Chemex by this tip, as it resembles a laboratory tool . It's a heat-resistant glass jug in the shape of an hourglass, protected from absorbing other flavors.

How to make coffee at home with a Chemex?

Place a cone-shaped coffee filter in the device and moisten it with hot water. Next, pour coarsely ground coffee into the filter (due to the wide filter). Next, pour in water at approximately 95°C and wait for the entire brew to pour into the bottom of the device. Coffee made in a Chemex is perfectly filtered and delicate . It may taste and have a more tea-like texture, but it contains the optimal amount of caffeine.

Dripper

A dripper, also known as a dripper , is also an easy way to prepare pour-over coffee, bringing out the drink's acidity and fruity, nutty aromas. It comes from the English word drip, meaning "to pour." It's a conical vessel made of glass, metal, plastic, or porcelain and available in various sizes. The difference lies in maintaining the proper temperature, but unless you're brewing your drip outside during the fall and winter months, you don't have to worry about this.

Just like with a Chemex or drip coffee maker, you insert a filter and place it over a jug or cup. Pour ground coffee beans into the filter, cover them with water at approximately 90-96°C, and after 30 seconds, pour in the remaining water in circular motions. The coffee will flow into the container and be ready to drink. A beverage prepared with this device will not only be a delight, but will also release flavors and aromas from the coffee you've never encountered before .

It turns out there are many answers to the question of how to make delicious coffee at home. Visit our coffee shop and choose your favorite method for preparing a delicious, aromatic brew . Let trying different coffee brewing methods become as much of an adventure as enjoying the coffee itself.