14 Ways to Make Coffee (All Brewing Methods Compared!)

Coffee is not just a drink, it’s a science and an art. In this guide, I’ll explore the vast landscape of coffee brewing methods. From the classic pour-over to the fancy siphon methods, I’ll discuss how each technique works its magic to turn those humble beans into liquid gold.

You’ll learn the mechanics behind each brewing technique, the tools you’ll need, and the unique flavors they produce. I’ll share my personal experiences and give you a balanced view of the advantages and drawbacks.

There are 4 main Coffee brewing Methods: drip, immersion, pressurized, and boiling. The 14 methods I’ve mentioned in this article are essentially different applications or combinations of these four fundamental techniques.

I – Drip brewing Methods

Drip coffee brewing methods involve pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter and allowing the brewed coffee to drip slowly into a carafe or pot below.

1. Pour Over – Manual Drip

Pour Over is the best tasting brewing method for making simple black coffee – Hands down! It’s my go-to when I want to really savor the nuances of a fancy single-origin bean. 

How Pour-Over works:

Pour Over is a manual and one of the oldest coffee brewing methods. It involves pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter. The water slowly drips through the grounds, extracting the flavors and oils as it passes. 

You start by pouring a small amount of water to “bloom” the coffee, which releases CO2 and prepares the grounds for optimal extraction. Then, you gradually add more water in a circular motion, maintaining a consistent flow rate. 

The brewed coffee drips into a carafe or mug below, resulting in a clean, flavorful cup.

Equipment needed:

1. Pour over dripper (like Hario V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex, Melitta, Clever Dripper, etc.)
2. Paper filters
3. Kettle (preferably gooseneck)
4. Coffee grinder
5. Scale (Optional for extra precision)

• Grind Size: The best grind size for Pour Over is medium-fine consistency, like granulated sugar or salt. This allows for proper extraction without over-extracting or clogging the filter.
• Brewing Time: The total brew time for a pour-over should be around 4-5 minutes, depending on the amount of coffee and your specific technique. This includes the initial bloom time and subsequent pours.
• Skills required: Pour over requires some practice to master. You’ll need to develop a steady pouring technique and learn to control variables like water temperature, pour rate, and timing.

Read a guide on How to Make Pour Over Coffee

2. Auto Drip Coffee Machine

Now let’s talk about drip coffee machines – a classic kitchen gadget that everyone has at home. It’s so simple to use Just load the coffee grounds, hit a button, and boom – coffee’s ready!

How Drip Machine works:

Auto drip coffee makers work on a similar principle to pour over, but with automation. Cold water is poured into a reservoir, which is then heated to the optimal brewing temperature (usually around 195-205°F). 

The hot water is then pumped through a tube and distributed over the ground coffee in a filter basket. As the water drips through the grounds, it extracts the coffee’s flavors and oils. 

The brewed coffee then drips down into a carafe or pot, which often sits on a heating plate to keep the coffee warm.

Equipment needed:

1. Auto drip coffee maker
2. Paper filters
3. Coffee grinder (Optional – most folks prefer pre-ground coffee with drip machines)

• Grind Size: A medium grind size works best for Drip Coffee – think the consistency of regular sand. It’s the most common grind size in pre-ground coffees available in grocery stores.
• Brewing Time: The brewing time for an auto drip machine typically ranges from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the machine and the amount of coffee being brewed.
• Skills required: Auto drip requires minimal skills. The main things are measuring the right amount of coffee and water, and keeping the machine clean.

3. Vietnamese Phin Filter

The Vietnamese Phin is similar to pour over but it uses metal filters instead of paper filters. It’s like the hybrid between French press and Pour over and makes a strong and bold cup of coffee.

How it works:

The Phin is a small metal filter that sits on top of a cup. It consists of a chamber, a meta filter, and a lid. Ground coffee is added to the chamber, then hot water is poured over it. The coffee slowly drips through the filter into the cup below. 

Equipment needed:

1. Vietnamese Phin filter
2. Cup
3. Kettle

• Brewing Time: The Phin method typically takes about 3-5 minutes from start to finish, including the time for all the coffee to drip through.
• Grind size: The Phin works best with a medium grind size, similar to what you’d use for a Pour Over. This allows for slow extraction without clogging the filter.
• Skills required: Using a Phin requires some practice to get the right grind size and water-to-coffee ratio. You’ll also need to learn how to control the flow rate by adjusting the filter press.

Read a guide on Vietnamese Coffee Recipe

II – Pressurized Coffee Brewing Method

Pressurized coffee brewing methods use pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds. This pressure can come from pumps (like in espresso machines), steam pressure (moka pot), or vacuum pressure (Siphon).

4. Espresso

Espresso is the most popular coffee brewing method and it has its own genre. There are a variety of coffee drinks that are prepared using espresso as a base such as Latte, Americano, Cafe Mocha, and Cortado to name a few. 

How it works:

Espresso involves passing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. This yields a small but intense shot with a thick body and complex flavors compared to other brew methods.

The pressure extracts the coffee’s oils, flavors, and caffeine in a matter of seconds, resulting in a small amount of concentrated coffee topped with a layer of crema – the signature golden-brown foam on top of an espresso shot.

Espresso machines usually come with a built-in milk steamer that lets you make rich and creamy frothy milk for milky coffee drinks.

Equipment needed:

1. Espresso machine
2. Espresso grinder
3. Tamper
4. Portafilter
5. Shot glass or espresso cup

• Grind Size: The best grind size for Espresso is very fine, almost like powdered sugar. This allows for proper extraction under high pressure without the water passing through too quickly.
• Brewing Time: A typical espresso shot takes about 25-30 seconds to brew, not including the time to heat the machine and prepare the coffee.
• Skills required: Making great espresso requires practice and attention to detail. You need to dial in the machine for various parameters like grinding, dosing, tamping, and timing of the shot.

5. Moka Pot – Stovetop Espresso maker

The Moka Pot is a classic and straightforward brewing method that delivers a rich, bold, and flavorful cup of coffee resembling an Espresso shot. It’s my go-to when I want a strong cup that packs a punch but doesn’t require a heavy machine or barista degree to make.

How it works:

The Moka pot uses steam pressure to brew coffee. It consists of three chambers: the bottom for water, the middle for ground coffee, and the top for brewed coffee. 

As the water in the bottom chamber heats up, it creates steam, which increases pressure. This pressure forces the hot water up through the coffee grounds in the middle chamber. 

The brewed coffee then flows into the top chamber through a small pipe. The process stops when you hear a gurgling sound, indicating that all the water has been pushed through the grounds.

Equipment needed:

1. Moka pot
2. Stove or heat source
3. Coffee grinder

• Grind Size: Moka pots work best with a medium-fine grind, slightly coarser than espresso but finer than drip coffee. 
• Brewing Time: Brewing with a Moka pot typically takes about 5-10 minutes, including the time it takes to heat the water and for the coffee to brew and collect in the upper chamber.
• Skills required: Using a Moka pot requires some practice to get the timing right and avoid over-extraction. You’ll need to learn to remove it from heat at the right moment and cool the base quickly to stop the brewing process.

Read a Guide on How to use a Moka Pot Coffee Maker

6. Siphon – Vacuum Method

The siphon coffee maker is a vacuum brewing device similar to stovetop coffee makers. I love it because it’s not just about making coffee – it’s a whole theatrical experience that gives me a feel like a coffee alchemist in my kitchen.

How it works:

The siphon brewer uses vacuum pressure to brew coffee. It consists of two chambers: a lower bowl and an upper chamber with a filter. 

Water is placed in the lower bowl and heated. As it heats, vapor pressure forces the water up into the upper chamber where the coffee grounds are added. The mixture is stirred and left to steep. 

When the heat source is removed, the vacuum created pulls the brewed coffee back down through the filter into the lower bowl.

Equipment needed:

1. Siphon coffee maker
2. Heat source (butane burner or halogen beam heater)
3. Filter (cloth or paper)
4. Coffee grinder

Grind Size: Siphon coffee works best with a medium-fine grind, similar to what you’d use for drip coffee. 

Brewing Time: The entire siphon brewing process typically takes about 5-8 minutes, including heating the water, steeping, and the drawdown phase.

Skills required: Siphon brewing requires attention to detail and practice. You’ll need to master temperature control, timing, and the right dose to get consistent results.

III – Immersion Coffee brewing methods

Immersion coffee brewing methods involve fully submerging coffee grounds in water for a set period, allowing for a strong extraction.

7. French Press

A French press is a simple yet elegant way of brewing coffee. I’m a big fan of French press coffee when I want something rich and robust – the full-bodied flavor really hits the spot.

How it works:

The French Press is an immersion coffee brewing method that involves soaking coarsely ground beans in hot water and pressing the coffee through a metal filter to make a full-bodied and flavorful drink.

French Press makes thick and full-bodied Coffee drinks as it doesn’t use any paper filter and the caffeine content is also a little higher because of the long immersion process.

Equipment needed:

1. French press
2. Kettle
3. Coffee grinder

• Grind Size: French press requires a coarse grind, about the consistency of sea salt or coarse breadcrumbs. This prevents the grounds from passing through the metal filter and into your cup.
• Brewing Time: The total brewing time for a French press is typically 4-5 minutes. This includes a brief bloom period of about 30 seconds after the initial pour, followed by the main steeping time.
• Skills required: French press is relatively simple, but you’ll need some practice to select the right grind size, water temperature, and steeping time.

8. Cold Brew – Prolonged Steeping

Cold brew is the slowest coffee brewing method that takes a whole day to brew and is never exposed to heat. It’s my summer go-to coffee drink – smooth, refreshing, and way less acidic than hot coffee. 

How it works:

Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in room-temperature water for 12-24 hours. Unlike hot brewing methods, cold brew relies on time rather than heat to extract the coffee’s flavors and caffeine. 

After steeping, the mixture is strained to remove the grounds, leaving a smooth coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk and served over ice.

Equipment needed:

1. Large container or cold brew maker
2. Coarse mesh strainer or cheesecloth
3. Coffee grinder

• Grind Size: Cold brew requires a coarse grind, similar to that used for French press. This prevents over-extraction and makes the filtering process easier.
• Brewing Time: Cold brew typically steeps for 12-24 hours, depending on your desired strength, so it is an overnight brewing process. 
• Skills required: Cold brew is pretty forgiving and doesn’t require much skill. The main things are choosing the right grind size and patience to wait for a day.

Here’s a guide on How to Make Cold Brew Coffee

9. Aeropress – Immersion Portable Method

The AeroPress is a compact, portable coffee maker that uses hand pressure to brew coffee. I absolutely love my AeroPress for travel as It lets me make a decent cup of coffee anywhere, anytime.

How it works:

The AeroPress consists of two nested cylinders. Ground coffee and hot water are added to the inner cylinder, which has a filter at the bottom. 

After a short steep, the outer cylinder is used as a plunger to force the water through the grounds and filter into a cup below. The air pressure created during this process results in a quick extraction and produces a smooth, rich coffee.

Equipment needed:

1. AeroPress
2. AeroPress filters
3. Coffee grinder
4. Kettle

• Grind Size: The AeroPress works well with a medium-fine to fine grind, similar to what you’d use for drip coffee or slightly finer. This allows for quick, efficient extraction.
• Brewing Time: Total brewing time with an AeroPress is typically 2-3 minutes, including steeping and pressing. It’s one of the quickest brewing methods available.
• Skills required: The AeroPress is fairly forgiving, but you’ll need to experiment with grind size, water temperature, and pressing technique to find your perfect cup.

IV – Stovetop/Boiling Coffee Brewing Methods

Stovetop/boiling coffee brewing methods involve heating water and coffee grounds together until boiling, often resulting in a strong and bitter brew.

10. Turkish Coffee – Strongest Brewing Method

Turkish coffee is a traditional method of brewing unfiltered coffee. I absolutely love it when I want something intensely flavored and strong.

How it works:

Turkish coffee is brewed by mixing finely ground coffee with water (and sometimes sugar) in a special pot called a cezve or ibrik. 

The mixture is heated slowly, allowing the coffee to foam up. As it nears boiling, it’s removed from heat, and the foam is spooned into cups. The process is repeated 2-3 times to create more foam. Finally, the coffee is poured into small cups

Equipment needed:

1. Cezve (Turkish coffee pot)
2. Very fine coffee grounds
3. Heat source

• Grind Size: Turkish coffee requires an extremely fine grind, even finer than espresso. It should be almost powder-like, similar to the consistency of flour.
• Brewing Time: The entire process of brewing Turkish coffee typically takes about 3-5 minutes, including the time to heat the water and create the foam.
• Skills required: Making great Turkish coffee requires practice to achieve the right foam and avoid over-boiling.

Read a Guide on How to make Turkish Coffee

11. Cowboy Coffee – The oldest Brewing Method

Cowboy coffee is the oldest coffee brewing method – used for centuries when fancy brewing equipment wasn’t a thing. No filters, no paper, no machines – just you, a pot, heat source, and some intensely flavored cowboy brew. It’s a little gritty and bitter, but that’s part of its rustic charm if you ask me.

How it works:

Cowboy coffee is made by boiling coarse ground coffee directly in water. Typically, you bring water to a boil in a pot over a fire, and remove it from the heat. Then, you add the coffee grounds and let it steep for 3-4 minutes to extract the flavors. 

The coffee is then carefully poured into cups, trying to leave as much of the sediment behind as possible.

Equipment needed:

1. Pot or kettle
2. Heat source (campfire or stove)

• Brewing Time: Cowboy coffee typically takes about 5-10 minutes to brew, depending on how quickly you can bring the water to a boil.
• Grind size: A coarse grind is best for cowboy coffee. This helps minimize the amount of grounds that end up in your cup and reduces bitterness.
• Skills required: Making good cowboy coffee requires some practice. You need to learn the right coffee-to-water ratio, timing, and pouring technique to minimize grounds in your cup.

Read a guide on ways to make coffee without a coffee brewing equipment

12. Coffee Percolator

Percolator coffee takes me back to my grandparents’ house – it’s a classic method that’s been around forever. I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite way to brew because it can be pretty bitter, but it’s got that nostalgic charm.

How it works:

A percolator has a bottom chamber for water and an upper chamber for coffee grounds, with a vertical tube connecting them. As the water heats, it’s forced up the tube and sprays over the coffee grounds. 

The brewed coffee then drips back down into the water chamber, where it’s cycled through again. This process repeats, continually extracting more from the grounds, until the desired strength is reached or the heat is removed.

Equipment needed:

1. Percolator
2. Heat source (stove or electric)

• Brewing Time: Percolator coffee typically takes about 7-10 minutes to brew, depending on your desired strength and the specific percolator.
• Grind size: A coarse or medium coarse grind size works best for percolators. This helps prevent grounds from seeping through the basket and reduces the risk of over-extraction.
• Skills required: Using a percolator requires some practice to get the timing right. You need to learn when to remove it from heat to avoid over-extraction and excessive bitterness.

Read a Guide on How to make Coffee in a Percolator

V – Quick Coffee brewing methods

Quick coffee brewing methods, like pod machines or instant coffee, offer fast and convenient ways to make a cup of coffee with minimal effort and clean-up.

13. Single Serve Pod Coffee Machines

Single-serve pod machines work similarly to auto drip or espresso machines but with coffee pods instead of coffee grounds. I love them for those mornings when I’m in a rush – just pop in a pod, press a button, and bam! Coffee’s ready before I can even find my keys.

How it works:

Single-serve pod machines, like Nespresso and Keurig, use pre-packaged pods or capsules filled with ground coffee. The machine punctures the pod and forces hot water through it. 

In Nespresso machines, this process is similar to espresso brewing, while Keurig machines use a lower pressure more akin to drip coffee. 

Equipment needed:

1. Single-serve pod machine
2. Coffee pods or capsules

• Brewing Time: The pod machines are incredibly quick, typically brewing a cup in 30 seconds to 1 minute once they’re warmed up.
• Skills required: These machines require virtually no skill to operate. The main thing is choosing pods you enjoy and keeping the machine clean.

14. Instant Coffee

Instant coffee is a powder that you can dissolve in hot water, but I’ll be honest – I’m not a big fan of the taste. It’s my last resort when I need caffeine fast and have absolutely no other options.

How it works:

Instant coffee is made by brewing coffee normally and then removing the water through freeze-drying or spray-drying. The resulting powder or crystals can be dissolved in hot water to make a quick cup of coffee.

Equipment needed:

1. Instant coffee powder
2. Kettle or hot water source

Also Read: What is Instant Coffee and How is it Made?

Final Thoughts

Alright, coffee enthusiasts, we’ve just explored 14 awesome ways to brew coffee at your home! From quick and easy to complex and artisanal, there’s a method out there for everyone.

Now, I’m curious – what’s your go-to coffee brewing method? Is there a method you’re itching to try? Or maybe you’ve got questions about one of these brewing techniques? Drop a comment below and let’s keep this coffee conversation going!