What's The Best Way To Make Coffee At Home?
I grew up in a house with a Mr. Coffee and Folgers. (First world problems!)
Nobody discussed brewing methods or cup profiles. If you didn’t like it, you doctored it up with as much cream and sugar as necessary to make it palatable, and went about your business. If coffee wasn’t your thing, you dropped a Lipton tea bag in hot water and followed the same rules. We no longer live in that simple world.
As the internet has brought the world and its knowledge to our fingertips, we have numerous more choices and opportunities to discover quality, explore the Earth’s bounty, and self-educate in the direction of continual improvement.
So, asking ‘what is the best way to make coffee?’ comes with a multi-layered response that, while complex, has clear divisions based on the desired outcome. Each of the brewing methods shown here has distinct pluses and minuses.
Convenience Level 1 – Pods
In a recent conversation with a guest, after hearing our talk on brewing methods, he said,
“I really like my Nespresso maker because I get to try coffee from all over the world, and it’s so easy. Who has time to fumble around with precise coffee making early in the morning when I am trying to get out of the house?” Point taken.
If Convenience is what you are after, Keurig, Nespresso, Ninja, Bruvi, and X-bloom all make well-regarded pod machines. Put in a pod, hit a button, and you have a cup of coffee. What you gain in convenience will be balanced by some loss in coffee quality and optimal extraction. For many, it’s a trade-off that makes sense to them.
Convenience Level 2 – Drip Makers
Modern coffee makers have come a long way if you are willing to spend the money. Programmable pulse rate, precise water temperatures, built-in grinders, and thermal carafes all lend themselves to a better-quality cup of coffee. Now you choose the beans, and the machine mimics the art of the barista.
Cuisinart, Oxo, Breville, Wolf Gourmet, Braun, and, at the higher end, Fellow and Moccamaster are some of the well-regarded brands in the world of home coffee makers.
If you learn your machine well (watch YouTube tutorials) and spend some time dialing in the best results, there is no doubt these machines can make a solid cup of coffee.
Level 1 and 2 are still the most widely used brewing methods in the United States.
Manual Brewing – Full Control
Inevitably, the pursuit of an excellent cup of coffee will lead to the world of manual brewing. Baristas around the world rely on these simple but effective brewing methods that allow the barista to control all of the variables that go into making a gorgeous cup of coffee.
Pour Over, French Press, Aeropress, Moka Pot, Clever Dripper, Siphon, and Espresso are examples of manual brewing.
In this world, control over bean quality and freshness, grind size, water temperature, contact time between water and grounds, weight ratios, blooming, degassing, and filter selection can all be manipulated in various ways to achieve slightly different results.
Manual brewers typically value quality over convenience, appreciate the nuance of the coffees they purchase, and seek well-crafted over highly caffeinated.
Espresso – Unlimited Budget
When you see the real café-style espresso machines at Coffee Expos and you are blinded by dazzling polished chrome and sleek Italian design, the 40K+ price tag seems understandable after you taste the amazing brew. When you are shopping for home use, however, there is a clear line between the acceptable and the amazing.
Jura, La Marzocco, Rancilio, Terra Café, Lelit, Lucca, all make espresso machines from 1-5K that are favorites for home espresso lovers with ample budget. It still will require the end user to have a decent foundation of brewing knowledge, and taking time to dial in the settings to your preference is important, but it is possible to have fantastic espresso in your home.
The Barista Checklist
Ultimately, you will place yourself in one or more of these categories and go from there. Here is the checklist that is always running through the mind of the barista, no matter what method they are using.
1. Start with properly stored Fresh Whole Beans
2. Choosing the roast level appropriate to the drink being created.
3. Grind just before brewing
4. Weigh water and coffee to get the desired ratio
5. Grind appropriate to the brew method
6. Use quality water at specified temperature (195-205°F (90-96°C)
7. Bloom & Degas grounds according to brew method
8. Control how long water touches the coffee
9. Choose filter method (paper, metal, cloth, none)
10. Cleanliness
We can sum up this topic in the following way:
The method you like is the best method for you.
Professional baristas have a series of tips and techniques that have been shown to produce a better cup of coffee.
The pursuit of the perfect cup will be determined by interest, budget, experience with different coffees and methods, and your personal level of skill and execution.
You may encounter each of these methods throughout your life. Be mindful of their subtleties and differences.
Love coffee.
Other Related Blogs
Coffee Gurus That Will Guide You On A Path To Better Coffee
Small Cup Vs. Big Mug
Matt Carter is a retired teacher (1989-2018), part-time musician, farmer, and currently manages Greenwell Farm’s Tour and Retail Store Operations.
