Are you a coffee fanatic, or simply interested in the evolution of coffee? Well, you're not the only one. Coffee is the second most popular beverage (behind water). Nowadays, there are so many ways to brew coffee, from an automatic drip airpot to a manual pour over. Since there are a number of different ways to brew coffee, how do you know which one is best for you? A graphic is displayed below to help you discover just that. Along with this is some information about each brewing technique.
Four common ways to brew coffee are listed below. Each brewing technique lists the caffeine levels, main advantages, main disadvantages, and the length of time it takes to brew a pot of coffee.
Shot of Espresso
Espresso is made from steam and very fine coffee grounds. One shot of espresso is usually between 1-1.75 oz. and has about 63 mg. of caffeine. Espresso contains the most caffeine per volume, but not necessarily when mixed into another coffee drink, such as an americano or latte. An 8 oz. latte will usually only contain one shot of espresso, which means an 8 oz. cup of drip coffee actually has a higher caffeine intake. Aside from the caffeine levels, an espresso shot is quick and easy to make, as long as you have an espresso machine. It also has a very bold flavor, which may help you get a jump start on your day.
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is one of the most popular ways to brew coffee. Coffee shops, along with restaurants and diners will usually have drip coffee available. Stated above, an 8 oz. cup of drip coffee will have more caffeine than a shot of espresso. There is usually about 70-140 mg. of caffeine in a cup of coffee. The caffeine depends on the type of bean used, the roast (light or dark), and the preparation of the coffee. The process of making drip coffee is quick and simple. One of the major advantages is having the ability to brew coffee while getting ready for work. Other advantages include the affordable price, and the ability to control how much coffee is made at a time... do you want one or four cups to start your day? A major disadvantage to drip coffee is that a lot of natural flavor gets lost during the brewing process.
Pour Over
A pour over coffee is achieved by slowly pouring boiling water over fine to very fine coffee grounds. This allows for more natural flavors to be distinguished. Since you can use almost any type of coffee roast with a pour over, it provides more variety when choosing if you want a stronger or weaker brew. However, it won't taste as bold as an espresso shot. The caffeine level of an 8 oz. pour over is usually between 70-140 mg. (the same as drip coffee). A major disadvantage to the pour over is how time consuming it can be. Making a pour over is a game of sitting and waiting. Since it requires a manual pour, it is unlikely that you would be able to get ready for your day while it is brewing.
French Press
A French press is a more dense and fancy coffee drink. It requires specific measurements and coarse coffee grounds. This can make the process quite time consuming. The process involves grinding up the coffee and measuring out the water used. Next, you will want to carefully fill the bottom of the press with only a portion of the water and start mixing. After mixing, add the rest of the water and wait until the plunger can smoothly press down on the coffee to enjoy. The French press is robust and very caffeine heavy, with about 80-150 mg. in an 8 oz. cup of coffee. If ordering at a coffee shop, you will tend to pay a little more than drip coffee due to the process and strong flavor.
These four coffee brews: espresso, drip coffee, pour over, and french press, have risen in popularity. By understanding each technique, the goal is to find which one works best for you and your lifestyle. Now that you know which brewing technique is right for you, are you willing to give it a try?