Coffee preparation: 6 methods to prepare good coffee

Filter coffee and drippers are all the rage in the coffee world right now - it seems like every other month a new, funky-looking, advanced dripper is invented that might as well be in a chemistry lab. 

With this method of coffee preparation, gravity assists the water as it passes through the coffee. The result is a clean, clear and light tasting beverage. Most hand filters are small, portable, inexpensive and just a darn good way to brew small batches of coffee with great flavor

The preparation of coffee with a filter. Filter coffee is known to almost everyone and often brings back memories of grandparents, because this method of preparation is the bedrock in Central and Northern Europe. 

We're telling you, it's one of the easiest coffee-making methods and it's back in vogue big time for a reason.

Here's how it works: You take your favorite coffee, grind it, put it in a paper filter stuck in a hand filter, pour on water, et voilà - filter coffee. Okay now slow down. There are one or two things you need to keep in mind to make a really great coffee.

Pressure brewed coffee simply describes a cup of coffee that is brewed with.... you guessed it... Pressure, resulting in quick extraction times and a more intense brew (compared to other brewing styles). Let's take a quick look at the most common ways to brew coffee with pressure: the espresso maker (aka bialetti or mocha maker) and the portafilter. Another coffee brewing method with pressure would also be the aeropress.

The magic behind the espresso maker lies in its 3-chamber brewing process. The water in the lower chamber boils and the steam creates a pressure that pushes the water up through the coffee grounds into the upper chamber.

Is the resulting drink the same as an espresso shot? No, not quite. The result is actually a Moka.  

If you do it right (a little skill is required), you'll get a bittersweet and super strong drink that will get you through the day. A bonus for the mocha pot: you can brew several cups of coffee at once. It's a great way to keep a crowd caffeinated. And on top of that, we're telling you it's the perfect way to brew on the go.

Probably everyone is familiar with the term "portafilter". Mostly we know them from our favorite coffee shop, but they are also a possible variant to prepare an espresso at home. A little lovey-dovey tip: if you're looking for a way to make espresso outdoors and on the go, you'd better keep scrolling ;) 

The machines come in various shapes and sizes, from cheap to very expensive. (in the long run here possibly link a guide for portafilter machines).

The result of this preparation method: a classic espresso (about 25-30 ml of liquid). Here's how it works: ground coffee is placed in the portafilter, pressurized water is forced through the coffee grounds, and a strong espresso with a crema is created. To find out exactly how to make an espresso in a portafilter, see the step-by-step guide for portafilters.

Soaking/steeping coffee is the most basic (and longest lasting) method of brewing coffee. In short, you simply mix coffee grounds directly with hot water, let them do their thing, then separate them, keep the coffee and say goodbye to the wet coffee grounds.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? It is.

However, there's a fine line between over-brewing and under-brewing; too soon and you're drinking a weak coffee, too long and you're drinking a typically bitter brew.

On a positive note, getting the technique right isn't rocket science, and if you do it right, you'll have a uniquely flavored coffee while discovering coffee bean flavors you never knew existed.

The most common way to brew coffee is with the French Press. It is super easy to use and can be bagged for little money. 

When prepared with a French Press, you can get a coffee with a distinct taste and feel unlike any other method. The French Press works by steeping coffee grounds and hot water in a beaker. Once the coffee has softened, a metal mesh filter is pressed onto the bottom of the mug, separating the grounds from the liquid coffee.

The metal mesh filter allows the natural oils and fine particles contained in the coffee to pass through, giving the coffee a dense body. 

If you've never heard of cold brew coffee, you must be new to the game, or you've been hiding under a rock for the past few years. Cold brew coffee is one of the most popular caffeinated innovations of our time - and no, we're not talking about iced coffee.

The classic preparation of Cold Brew coffee short and crisp: grind coffee beans, mix with cold water in a container and infuse for at least 6-12 hours. After that, the Cold Brew coffee is poured through a filter and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Cold Brew coffee can also be prepared in a so-called dripper.

Now let's leave all these hipster pots and trends aside. They can make brewing coffee a pleasure, and they allow you to customize the taste of coffee to your own preferences, but if we're honest with ourselves, they're not really necessary for a cup of coffee.

 For the most straightforward way to make coffee, all you need is water, heat and ground coffee. So why make things complicated? If you want to make coffee super easy, with little effort, we recommend you try the Turkish method

Make Turkish coffee now seems really simple. The most common method consists of a Turkish coffee pot, water and very finely ground coffee beans.

You simmer the brew a few times (2-3 times) and you end up with a coffee you'll love or hate: strong, but exceptional tasting with a thick foam on top.

Now you have a super overview of the most important methods of preparing coffee. We wish you a lot of fun trying out and fiddling around. It's really a lot of fun to test all the methods. Each coffee preparation method has its advantages and disadvantages and therefore also its charm. So go ahead and make your favorite coffee.  

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