Which Brewing Method is Best for Specialty Coffee?

It's no secret that there are many methods for brewing specialty coffee. But how do we choose the one that meets our expectations and spoils our taste buds? We've decided to explore some of the most popular methods for preparing coffee and briefly discuss each. We'll consider which methods can enhance the preferred characteristics of our drink, examine the best brewing methods for specific coffee roasts, and ask whether there is such a thing as the "best" brewing method.

Table of Contents:
Brewing Methods
Most Common Equipment
From a Portafilter Machine
From a Dripper
From a Moka Pot
From an AeroPress

What are the Methods for Brewing Specialty Coffee?

The most common way to brew specialty coffee is using an espresso machine. You can choose from pressure machines, portafilter machines, automatic machines, drip coffee makers – the list goes on. However, there is a wide range of alternative brewing methods that can also extract great flavor from coffee fruits. Sometimes, these alternative methods are even better because they give us more control, something that popular machines often don't offer.

Most Common Equipment

The most frequently used brewing equipment includes portafilter machines, drippers, moka pots, and AeroPress. High-quality coffee beans combined with the right brewing method guarantee a delicious cup every time. The brewing method itself isn’t the most crucial factor – what truly matters is how we brew the coffee using that method. The same beans, brewed in the same way by two different people, can taste completely different. Coffee never gets boring! 😉

Specialty Coffee from a Portafilter Machine

The first method is brewing specialty coffee using a portafilter machine. This pressure-based device is commonly used to brew espresso. The process is relatively simple: water is drawn from the tank, heated, and forced through the ground coffee under the correct pressure. Since the contact time between water and coffee is short (lasting just seconds), the grind size is crucial. The final brew from a portafilter machine is best suited for those who prefer strong, bold coffee. For this method, it's best to use beans roasted for espresso, typically dark roasts.

From a Dripper

Another alternative brewing method is using a dripper. It's a simple and inexpensive method, with drippers available for as little as a few dollars. Brewing coffee with a dripper is straightforward — just place a paper filter inside, add ground coffee, place the dripper on a cup or mug, and pour hot water over it. The grind for a dripper should be coarser than for a portafilter machine – about the consistency of sugar. Too coarse, and the water will pass through too quickly, resulting in under-extracted, "watery" coffee. The brewing process should take 3-4 minutes. Light roast beans are ideal for this method, especially those with fruity and floral notes and pleasant acidity. Beans from Africa, with citrus, tropical fruits, berries, and floral notes in their profile, are a great option for this method.

From a Moka Pot

A moka pot resembles a two-part kettle. Water is added to the lower chamber, the filter basket with ground coffee sits above, and as the water boils, pressure pushes the coffee into the upper chamber. For a moka pot, a finer grind is best due to the short contact time between the coffee and water, similar to an espresso machine. The resulting brew will resemble espresso. It’s a great method for those who enjoy a classic Italian-style coffee – strong and bold, with pleasant chocolate notes.

From an AeroPress

Another brewing method is using an AeroPress. Its design is somewhat futuristic, resembling a large syringe. To get the best results from an AeroPress, it’s a good idea to use beans roasted for filter coffee and grind them accordingly. Both light roasts and medium roasts can be brewed using an AeroPress. This method can be easily adjusted to suit specific beans, and there is no single "best" AeroPress recipe. Experimenting with various techniques, such as those used in the World AeroPress Championship, is part of the fun.

So, is there one universal, objectively best way to brew specialty coffee? As you can see, not necessarily. The choice of method depends on our preferences, the equipment we have or can afford, and most importantly, the type of coffee we like. Those who prefer sweeter, fruit-forward, and floral notes should go for lightly roasted beans suitable for pour-over methods (drip, Chemex, AeroPress), while fans of bolder flavors might prefer medium or dark roasted beans for espresso machines or moka pots.