There are many different ways to prepare and brew coffee, rather than just putting it in the coffee maker and pressing start. Here I will introduce you to some of the different ways coffee can be brewed, and the different types of coffee you can use.

The most common method is the drip method. This is the same type as the coffee maker most people have experienced if you are a coffee drinker. This is one of the easiest and most accessible ways of brewing for most people. This process involves placing the coffee ground into the filter, adding the amount of water you want, and more or less pressing a button to allow the machine to       automatically brew the coffee for you.

After this, a French press is also a common method of brewing. Here, you mix more coarse ground with hot water and let it sit for several minutes. Then, you will press the grounds down to the bottom with a strainer and pour the coffee out. The coffee will taste stronger and smoother through this method than the drip method, this is because no filter is being used in a French press. Coffee beans contain several acids that benefit the digestive system, but most do not pass through the filter when it is being used. The French press eliminates this, allowing the acids to stay in the coffee when you drink it, which creates a noticeably different flavor.

Chemex is an hourglass-shaped glass that holds a filter on the top half, and hot water is poured through to the bottom half. They end up holding about a 32oz. of coffee when filled up. The coffee brews similar to the process of a drip coffee but is poured by hand allowing for a more careful pour to create a better-tasting end product. Chemex coffee is very smooth to drink, and a refreshing enjoyable experience that does not hit you as hard with the caffeine effects as over methods in my experience. If poured properly, and using quality coffee beans, this is one of my favorite methods of drip coffee.

V60 is a funnel-shaped apparatus in a V-shape at a 60-degree angle (hence V60). There are ridges on the inside of the funnel to help ensure an even flow of water throughout the coffee and into the container. The main differences between a V60 Pour Over and a Chemex is grind size, filter paper thickness, amount of coffee made, how long it takes for the coffee to drain and the ultimate taste of the coffee. (Courtesy of https://www.craftcoffeeguru.com)

Along with drip coffee, there is also espresso. Espresso requires its own type of beans to produce the desired flavor and requires an espresso machine to produce. These machines can range from a few hundred dollars for the home, to thousands of dollars for professional coffee shops. A shot of espresso is made by forcing about 1.5 ounces of nearly boiling water through tightly packed, finely ground espresso coffee. This creates a very strong and concentrated coffee. After making the shot of espresso, you can either drink it as is or use it to create a variety of other espresso-based drinks.
(Courtesy of https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/question645.htm)

Written by: K. Mortensen