Since its launch in 1972 by Mr. Coffee, the automatic drip coffee maker has remained one of the most popular coffee brewing methods, making brewing coffee at home convenient for the masses. For many coffee drinkers, a simple drip coffee maker is the only coffee brewing method they’ve ever used — a tried and true kitchen staple. Yet there are so many other coffee brewing methods that exist, such as French Press brewing and pour-over brewing. One of my personal favorite methods is cold brewing, a method that has gained popularity over the last few years.
Are you curious about other coffee brewing methods beyond the drip maker? In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular coffee brewing methods you may have never heard of and the difference between each method.
Types of coffee brewing methods
James McCarthy, Director of Education at Devocion Coffee, says the easiest way to understand various coffee brewing methods is to break them down into four main subcategories. “All brew methods use hot water to extract solubles from coffee grounds. However, there are a few different ways to do this,” says McCarthy. Categorizing various coffee brewing methods into sub-categories makes it easier to understand how each method works (and how to decide which method might be best for you).
Gravity
The first and most popular brewing style includes methods that work via gravity. This category of coffee brewing methods includes your standard electric drip coffee maker, which allows hot water to fall through coffee grounds using the pressure of gravity alone. Pour-over brewers also use gravity, but it is brewed by hand with a kettle. Coffee percolators also use gravity, allowing hot water to cycle through coffee grounds over and over throughout the brew cycle (though this brewing method is less common).
Pour-over coffee uses the same gravity method as a drip coffee maker; however, manual brewing is required. This method involves manual effort and time, but can give you more control over a precise brewing process.
Immersion
Unlike gravity-based brewing methods, immersion brewing methods keep coffee grounds and water in constant contact. “Coffee grounds stay in contact with the hot water for the entire brew time, steeping. This method uses a coarser grind not to over-extract the brew and get bitter flavors,” says McCarthy.
Using a French Press coffee maker is one of the most popular immersion coffee brewing methods. The immersion of the French Press brewing method yields a bolder, stronger cup than you can get with a pour-over coffee. Making cold brew coffee also falls under immersion, as cold brew uses water to extract coffee solubles, requiring an extended steep time (usually overnight).
Pressure
Coffee brewing methods that use pressure involve forcing hot water through coffee grounds at a pressure higher than gravity. “The higher the pressure, the finer the grind will need to be,” McCarthy says. Pressurized brewing methods include using an espresso machine, Moka Pot, or a Syphon. Espresso machines use a tightly coiled spring or electric pump to force water through coffee grounds, yielding the concentrated shot we know as espresso.
Hybrid method
An AeroPress is another unique coffee brewing method that uses a combination of both immersion and pressure. This device steeps coffee with water using the immersion method, but also forces it through a filter using vacuum pressure.
Boiled
Making coffee by boiling coarsely ground coffee with water in a pot is less common, but it is still a viable way to make coffee. Some popular methods of boiled coffee include Greek, Turkish, and Cowboy Coffee.
Best coffee brewing methods
Everyone has their favorite coffee brewing method — which means there’s no true answer to which is the “best” method. Each brewing method produces a different-tasting cup of coffee and requires different skills. Ultimately, the best coffee brewing method is the one you love using and that produces a cup of coffee that hits the spot every time. If you’re not sure where to start, however, consider your ideal flavor preferences when determining which coffee brewing method to try.
Pour over coffee
Pour-over coffee brewing is generally reserved for more advanced coffee lovers who seek more control over brewing than an automatic drip coffee maker can provide. The pour-over brewing process takes time and effort; however, it creates a cup that has a lighter, crisper taste profile. If you’re short on time (think hectic mornings), this probably isn’t the best brewing method for you.
French press coffee
French press brewing is an awesome method if you appreciate a dark, bold cup of coffee. If you find that drip coffee doesn’t seem strong enough, it may be worth experimenting with this brewing method.
Drip coffee
You can’t beat the convenience of an automatic drip coffee maker. If you seek an easy, stress-free daily brewing method, a drip brewing method is for you. This method is great for the coffee drinker who isn’t too picky and just wants a solid, reliable cup of joe every morning.
