My top 5 coffee brewing methods by time of day
From the way it's farmed and produced to the way it's ground and brewed, coffee Is a wonderful and versatile drink. There are so many options when it comes to brewing methods and styles of coffee. Thanks to my work with Hacienda Iluminada and 787 Coffee, along with years of research, I have found the methods that work best for me at different times of the day. Here are my top five daily coffee brewing methods.
1. Moka Pot
The Moka Pot is an easy way to make your cup of coffee at home. This brewing method can extract flavors from your coffee that other brewing methods, like the vacuum pot, cannot. It produces a rich, strong, bold cup of coffee. The strong flavor is why some coffee enthusiasts refer to it as a stovetop espresso. This steam-driven brewing product is an easy--and admittedly, romantic--way to get your day started. It provides the boost of energy that I need to make the most of my day, which is why it's my go-to method in the mornings.
2. Espresso
When I need a strong mid-morning boost to keep me going, espresso is a great option. This bold and aromatic treat is a quick solution. While it can certainly be made at home, it's a little bit more time-consuming without a commercial-quality espresso machine. The best flavors also require a more precise water temperature. To ensure the highest quality cup, I sometimes choose to seek out that extra professional touch--it's a great way to explore and support my local coffee shops, and get a little extra positive energy from the amazing humans who run them.
3. Chemex
Everyone knows that sleepy, sluggish feeling after a well-deserved lunch break. My solution to that is a cup of coffee from the simple Chemex. Its unusual shape and thick filters produce a pure and balanced brew, often with less bitterness than other methods. The all-glass structure ensures that no external flavors are introduced, meaning you'll get all the best notes from your beans. A medium-coarse grind is ideal for use with this tool
4. Hario V60
At the end of a long day, one of my favorite ways to unwind is with a hot cup of coffee from my V60. The tool is named for its distinct V shape and its sidewalls, which are angled upward at 60 degrees. It is known for creating a strong flavor with generally less acidity than other methods, thanks to the ridges inside--which facilitate air flow during the brewing process. It's the perfect way to craft a cup when you really have time to experience and appreciate all the flavors and aromas of your coffee. This method is slightly more time-consuming, but it's well worth the wait. Both the V60 and the Chemex are pour-over methods of brewing. But while the Chemex is optimized for a medium-coarse grind size, the V60 gives you a little more control. Using a finer grind should produce a stronger coffee than a coarser grind. This gives you the freedom to create a variety of flavors and textures based on the grinds you choose to use. It's the perfect way to get creative and enjoy a cup of coffee that will show you its true character.
5. French Press
In the evenings, I sometimes like to round out a nice dinner with a little coffee from my French press. The proper name for this tool is cafetière, a French word from which its nickname is derived. The French Press differs from most brewing methods in that the water does not pass over the coffee and through a filter. Rather, the coffee grounds are steeped in the water for an extended period of time and then pressed with the use of a small mesh. This method requires a very high water temperature, but not so high that the water is boiling. That can cause the coffee to take on a burnt flavor. French pressed coffee contains a fair amount of sediment, along with the natural oils from the coffee which are normally filtered out in other brewing methods. This also means that a finer grind size isn't suited to this tool, since the particles can easily escape the mesh and end up in your mug. Because the coffee spends so much time mingling with the water, the flavors produced here are full-bodied and smooth. Coupled with a big variety of artfully-designed presses, a cafetière is a simple, elegant, and eye-catching way to cleanse the palate after an evening meal with friends.
Coffee is a versatile and complex treat that can be enjoyed in countless different ways. Depending on the experience you want, you might choose any one of these brewing methods for your enjoyment. Whether you're in need of a boost of energy on the go or entertaining around the kitchen table, you'll find that these methods will offer you the flexibility you need to get the most out of your daily grind.