Regularly enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, coffee is one of the most popular beverages on the planet. That global appeal means there are countless types of coffee and several different brewing methods to choose from.
Despite all that diversity, the vast majority of coffee drinkers stick to using the standard drip coffee maker. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with brewing coffee this way, it’s by no means the only option available. The following are five more to consider:
Chemex
Invented in 1941, the Chemex Coffeemaker looks and sounds like it belongs in a science lab. However, this elegantly designed coffee brewing system is one of the best devised. Using a one-of-a-kind filter, the Chemex produces clean and crisp tasting coffee. Best of all, it’s easy to learn how to use a Chemex Coffeemaker. While the process is more involved than using a drip coffee maker, it’s no more complicated than brewing a cup of tea.
French Press
Another hands-on way to brew better-tasting coffee at home is the French press method. The French press consists of a plunger attached to a fine mesh disc inside a glass cylinder. The mesh divides the chambers holding water and coffee grounds, and when plunged, forces the water through the coffee. Unlike the Chemex, which filters out fats and oils, a French press preserves these particles. The result is bolder and fuller flavor. (Randomtools.io)
Aeropress
Invented in 2005, the Aeropress is a relative newcomer in the world of coffee brewing. Functioning on the same basic principles as the French press, the Aeropress sets itself apart by using a paper filter. The result is a clean flavor profile similar to the one achieved using a Chemex. Another difference is that Aeropress is designed for single-serve brewing, while the French press typically serves two or more at a time.
Percolator
Once considered state-of-the-art, percolators are now considered the quintessentially old-fashioned way to brew coffee. A staple of campfires and stovetops for over a century, percolators produce a more robust and bolder flavor. It’s a result of its simple and straightforward design. There’s little room for users to modify the final product during the brewing process. Percolators are ideal for outdoor use, recommended for those who prefer a simple brewing process, and ideal for anyone who enjoys coffee in the raw.
Vacuum
Also known as siphon coffee makers, vacuum coffee makers are easily mistaken for elaborate brandy snifters. By far one of the more fascinating brewing methods, the vacuum/siphon process harnesses gravity and vapor pressure to brew an exceptionally flavorful cup of coffee. The key to this method is the fact the water doesn’t boil. The result is the preservation of many flavor notes lost in other brewing processes.
Drip coffee makers are great ways to enjoy a reliably decent cup of coffee every morning. However, they’re not the only option for those who brew coffee at home. Other methods demonstrate the diversity that exists within seemingly small facets of life. Even something as simple as a cup of coffee represents the potential to learn something new about the world. That starts with trying new ways to brew coffee.
