Making Coffee: Which Method is Right for You?
Easy with a fully automatic machine or precise with a pour-over? Coffee can be prepared in many ways. Which method fits which lifestyle and what's important for each one? Here's your quick overview.
Coffee from a Machine
Coffee from a machine is fast, offers great flavor, and a lot of variety depending on the machine type. The fully automatic coffee machine is especially popular, but the good old drip coffee maker is also gaining more fans. For purists and home baristas, nothing beats a portafilter espresso machine. Or should it be a device for coffee capsules or pods?
Fully Automatic Coffee Machine
+ A variety of coffee specialties at the touch of a button
+ Always prepared with fresh beans
+ Customizable to your taste
– Requires proper cleaning & care
AIDrip Coffee Maker
+ Lots of coffee at once without the hassle
+ Easy to use
+ Affordable to buy and maintain
– Makes only drip coffee
Espresso Machine
+ Authentic espresso and custom milk foam
+ Full control over every aspect of coffee brewing
+ Plenty of room for experimenting and learning
– Requires knowledge, practice, and accessories (coffee grinder)
AICapsule or Pod Machine
+ Small, compact, and convenient
+ No fuss with portioning
+ Easy maintenance and care
– Requires special accessories
Coffee Without a Machine
You don't necessarily need a machine for the perfect cup of coffee. Manual methods are very popular with coffee lovers and baristas because they often bring out flavors that machines can miss. Major bonus: It's one of the most affordable ways to brew coffee! The three most popular methods are:
The French press brews bold coffee with rich flavors and is incredibly easy to use. It's also forgiving if your measurements or water temperature aren't perfect. Just be mindful of a few coffee grounds in your cup.
The pour-over coffee maker is a barista favorite, perfect for bringing out the best in the finest roasts. You're in complete control of the brewing process. Even if you're not a pro, it's a great way to make a perfect single cup.
Moka pot coffee delivers a pure taste of Italy. The coffee is strong, rich, and very similar to espresso. Preparation is quick and easy. Make sure the pot is compatible with your stovetop. The classic aluminum model does not work on induction cooktops.
Beans, Water, & Temperature: The Secrets to Great Coffee
Great coffee starts with quality beans, best when freshly ground. You'll taste the difference with any brewing method.
Hard water can make coffee taste sour and damage your machine. A water filter pitcher can help.
Brewing coffee by hand? Let the water cool down a bit. It shouldn't be hotter than 205°F (96°C) when you pour.
How to Store Coffee Correctly
As long as your coffee beans or ground coffee don't get wet and moldy, they are theoretically good forever. However, coffee is mainly composed of volatile aromas that dissipate quickly, especially from ground coffee. To slow this down, you need to store your coffee properly:
- Keep coffee well-sealed in its original bag. Use a coffee bag clip or place the bag inside a coffee canister. Don't transfer it. Oxygen exposure speeds up the loss of aroma.
- Do not store coffee in the refrigerator. It absorbs moisture and odors from other foods. On the other hand: smelly fridge? Place an open bowl of ground coffee inside!
- Freeze coffee? It doesn't help. Frozen coffee doesn't last any longer than unfrozen coffee. When it thaws, the aromas dissipate particularly fast as they dissolve in the condensation.
Making Tea: Loose Leaf or Tea Bags?
You hardly need any equipment to make tea—just good tea and a little knowledge about steeping times and water temperatures. Basically, you can prepare tea in two ways:
- Loose leaf tea offers a rich aroma and can be dosed to your liking. To fully develop its flavor, it needs space in a tea infuser or a pot. You can steep the leaves multiple times, with each infusion revealing slightly different nuances. For example, green tea loses its bitterness on the second steep, resulting in a much smoother taste for many.
- Tea bags are designed for quick, easy enjoyment and are perfectly portioned. You can also use them for other purposes—for instance, a cold green tea bag can help with puffy eyes. However, they release almost all their flavor in the very first steep.
Did you know? Green, black, and white tea all come from the same plant. They just represent different stages of fermentation.
While you can be more flexible with the temperature and steeping time for fruit or herbal teas, for green and black teas, every degree and second counts. As a rule of thumb:
- Black tea: Depending on the variety, up to 212°F (boiling), for a maximum of 5 minutes
- Green tea: Depending on the variety, no more than 176°F, for a maximum of 4 minutes
