There are four traditional extraction methods for preparing coffee:
- Soak
- Filter or pour
- Press
- decoction
However, these categories are not mutually exclusive. That is, one and the same type of extraction can fall into two or more categories.
In addition, each method of preparation has its own taste and mouthfeel. However, we recommend always using a good quality coffee, regardless of the extraction method. If you use an inferior coffee, even the best coffee maker will produce a bad brew.
Table of Contents
Coffee extraction by steeping
Soaking uses both hot water and coffee beans. The coffee has to go through a filter before it is drunk.
Preparing coffee using the steeping method is easy. The ground coffee is steeped in water and then steeped until the flavor is extracted and the drink is ready to be consumed.
To achieve this, you can use a variety of coffee devices. The French press is one of the most popular machines for this type of preparation.
Below we explain the most commonly used methods.
French press
The French press is also known as the coffee press. It was invented in France in the 19th century. It consists of a container with a plunger and a mesh filter that separates the coffee drink from the ground coffee. The manufacturing method results in a characteristic earthy taste.
Their popularity is due to the low price, as well as the ease of use.
Ideal degree of grinding
We recommend a coarse grind. French presses require the coarsest grind of any hot water brewer . If the grind is too fine, coffee powder will permeate the filter when pressed and the drink will turn into a dark, bitter coffee.
Ideal bean roast
We recommend medium and medium-dark roast levels. The medium roast has a balanced overall flavor profile and the sweet caramel undertones are intensified.
A medium-dark roast is usually the best choice for French Press coffee, as it contains the aromatic nuances of chocolate and floral aromas.
Approximate brewing time
French pressing is an infusion process that takes an average amount of time.
Wait 4 minutes after adding the hot water to the coffee. Then use the mechanism. If you want a stronger coffee, let the coffee brew longer before separating the coffee powder from the drink.
Since you have to grind the coffee beans, heat the water and finally steep the coffee, the entire preparation takes a little longer.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy to handle | Risk of bitterness if used incorrectly |
| Unique coffee taste | Ideal brewing time needs exercise |
Siphon or vacuum brewer
Vacuum coffee is undoubtedly the most complicated of all coffee-making methods. It is a unique technique that comes across as very scientific.
A siphon coffee maker has two chambers, one at the top and one at the bottom. The water goes in the lower chamber and the ground coffee in the upper chamber. The filter is also located in the upper chamber. The water in the lower chamber is heated until its state of aggregation changes. The vapor then rises through the connection to the upper chamber due to the laws of physics.
There the steam cools down again and the physical state changes back to water. This mixes the water with the ground coffee. As soon as the heat source is removed, the pressure in the lower vessel drops again and the coffee brewed in the upper vessel flows back down. The coffee grounds remain in the upper container.
Ideal degree of grinding
We recommend a medium ground coffee. These coffee makers typically use a cloth or metal filter, which allows for a clean, full-bodied cup.
The degree of grinding should not be too fine, as this will clog the filter. The grind shouldn’t be too coarse either, since it’s a short brewing process.
Ideal bean roast
specific flavors or aromas can be achieved depending on the degree of roasting , this is a personal choice.
Approximate infusion time
This process takes about 10 minutes for the entire preparation.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| The cloth filter can be reused. | process is error prone |
| Visual and aromatic stimulation. | Cleaning and handling are cumbersome. |
Cold Brew / cold brew coffee
Coffee can not only be served hot. Cold Brew is one of the most popular preparation methods in recent years. You can use a cold brew coffee maker for this extraction or simply brew it in a glass container.
Cold brew is generally made from coffee and cold water, or sometimes just room temperature water. Since the water is neither hot nor warm, it takes a lot of patience to extract the pleasant and intense coffee taste.
For the preparation, the coffee is left in the water for between 10 and 24 hours, depending on the degree of roasting (the darker the coffee, the shorter the time). Then it has to be filtered to get the infusion.
This brewing method gives you a flavorful cup without excessive bitterness or high acidity. This is because the cold water slowly extracts the compounds and ensures the cup doesn’t taste bitter. The drink is a strong, intense and unique coffee with a smooth finish, without acidity or bitterness. There is no need to “enhance” the flavor with milk or sugar so you can taste the true origin of the coffee bean.
In addition, the cold brew can be kept for up to 2 weeks after preparation. This is because no hot water is used. In this way, compounds such as oils and acids are released more slowly, which extends the life of the coffee.
Ideal degree of grinding
The ideal grind is coarse. The coarse grind traps the water above the bed of coffee beans.
Ideal bean roast
It is normal to choose a dark roast. The flavors of this roast range from chocolaty to earthy to nutty. Even though floral notes can be extracted, the bold flavors will eventually stand out.
Dark roasts tend to be cheaper, which is another good reason to use them.
Light roasts and single-origin varieties have a floral or fruity flavor but are more expensive.
Approximate infusion time
The time factor is the most important point in this extraction. Preparation can take up to 24 hours. The minimum time can be around 10 hours.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Very good taste and refreshing. | time consuming. |
| Can be stored well. |
Nitro or nitrogenated coffee
You need a cream blower to prepare it. You load it with the appropriate gas and fill it with cold coffee. By using nitrogen, the coffee becomes softer and the drink is less acidic. The nitrogen foam makes the cold Brew very smooth, making it a delicious drink.
Ideal degree of grinding
Coarse grind.
Ideal bean roast
Depending on your preference.
Approximate brewing time
First you need the Cold Brew , which can take up to 24 hours. The rest is ready within minutes.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Unique and novel taste and texture. | High costs |
| Time consuming and requires special equipment. |
Filter coffee
Pouring hot water over ground coffee to extract its aroma is the basic method of filtering coffee. This coffee is usually served with no solid residue.
The duration of the extraction, the size of the coffee beans and the degree of roasting affect the taste of the finished cup of coffee. In addition, the filtration method and type of filter used in each machine can affect the performance of the process.
Filter coffee seems to be a very old practice, but it’s a little younger than it seems. Before coffee filters and coffee machines were invented, coffee was only brewed in water.
In the 1900s, a German housewife named Melitta Bentz set out to make coffee a more enjoyable experience. She developed the first paper filter and the first drip coffee machine. This revolutionized the way coffee was brewed .
Hario V60
The Hario V60 is a simple but effective way to brew coffee. It’s compact and lightweight, so you can take it with you almost anywhere.
It consists of a cone on top of the carafe that contains the finished brew. The novelty of this small dripper lies in its uniquely designed conical dripping mechanism, which has a large hole at the bottom channeled by a sort of spiral ribs on the sides.
Ideal degree of grinding
It is recommended to grind the coffee to a medium-fine grind. However, if you want to prepare more than 20 grams of coffee, grind a little coarser.
An ideal comparison when you know that ground coffee is finer than that used for the French Press but coarser than that used for an espresso.
Ideal bean roast
It is recommended to use a medium or light roast. Dark roasts can produce bitter flavor characteristics due to the long extraction time.
Approximate brewing time
The brewing time should be 1 to 3 minutes for 1 cup or 3 to 4 minutes for 2 cups.
| advantages | Disadvantages |
| Produces a high-quality drink in a short time. | Special filters are required for an optimal result. |
| Easy to clean. | cheap . |
Chemex
Although the Chemex is similar to the Hario V60 in the sense that it’s a filter coffee maker, the brewing process is quite different.
The Chemex filters are 20-30% thicker than those used in traditional pour over systems , resulting in a slower brew time and a quality cup of coffee.
It is not so easy to insert the filter, pour in the ground coffee and then pour the water to be filtered into the container. It takes practice to master grind size, water temperature and coffee to water ratio. Also the way the water is poured should be in a spiral from the center outwards and in the opposite direction.
Ideal degree of grinding
We recommend grinding the coffee medium.
Leaving the water in the filter and not draining will result in a bitter, over-extracted coffee. This is probably because the grind is too fine. However, if the grind is too coarse, the water will flow through too quickly and the extraction will be poor.
Ideal bean roast
Unlike other dripping methods, the Chemex is suitable for all roast degrees as it actually extracts the oils that cause bitterness in dark roasts. Because of this, the most commonly used roast level is dark.
It brings out flavors not typically found in the darker roasts while bringing out the body of the lighter roasts. So if you want a balance, a medium roast is the way to go.
Approximate brewing time
The extraction should take between 3.5 and 4.5 minutes. If the infusion is too fast, a finer grind or slower pour speed must be used. On the other hand, if the infusion is too slow, a coarser grind or a faster pouring speed should be used.
Drip coffee maker
The method of these brewers involves dripping hot water onto ground coffee in a filter and then filtering through the coffee and paper filter into a carafe below.
However, not all drip coffee makers are created equal. Some don’t keep the water at the right temperature and some don’t distribute it evenly.
Since the machine does all the work, all you have to do is put the coffee powder in the filter and turn on the machine. Drip coffee is one of the easiest ways to brew coffee.
Ideal degree of grinding
In automatic drip coffee machines, a medium degree of grinding is usually used.
Ideal bean roast
Since light roasts prevent efficient extraction and dark roasts can lead to over-extraction with this extraction method, we recommend a medium roast.
Approximate brewing time
For 2 or 3 cups, the brewing time is about 5 minutes.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy to handle. | – |
| cheap . |
Kalita wave
The Kalita wave was invented in 2010 by a Japanese company called Kalita Co. It is an extraction process that competes with the V60 and the Chemex . Like the V60, the Kalita Wave is a small and simple coffee maker that you simply place on the cup, insert the filter, add the ground coffee and start the brewing process by pouring water on it.
The main difference with the V60 is that the bottom is flat and has 3 holes through which the coffee comes out.
Ideal degree of grinding
We recommend a medium grind.
Ideal bean roast
Since light roasts prevent efficient extraction and dark roasts can lead to over-extraction with this extraction method, we recommend a medium roast.
Approximate brewing time
The total brewing time should be between 3:30 and 3:50 minutes.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy to handle. | – |
| cheap . |
Coffee extraction under pressure
Pressurized coffee is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee in a closed process chamber.
Fully automatic coffee machines can prepare coffee under pressure. To do this, ground coffee is pressed into a corresponding brewing cylinder and inserted into the coffee machine. A piston then presses the beans together, creating a sort of dense disc of coffee. Hot water is pumped through this “disc” at high pressure to make the drink.
Espresso
Espresso machines have evolved. In general, it is a simple method, but nowadays there are quite complex machines. Some come with a variety of features like built-in coffee grinders, milk frothers, dual brewing, and programmable screens.
However, you can only brew a single shot or a double shot at a time, and you must change the coffee grounds after each extraction.
On the other hand, espresso machines can be very difficult to clean and they should be descaled every 3 to 6 months.
How it works is that pressurized water flows through the finely ground coffee in a portafilter, creating a rich espresso.
Ideal degree of grinding
A very fine grind is required for espresso machines. You can start with a medium-fine setting and then fine-tune it to your personal taste.
Ideal bean roast
There are three roast levels that can be adjusted to suit your espresso, depending on your taste. The medium-dark roast results in a cup with an excellent blend of flavor profiles.
A dark roast, on the other hand, is ideal when you want a full-bodied cup. A medium roast, on the other hand, is the ideal place to start experimenting and finding what suits your taste.
Using a light roast is not recommended as it does not match the distinctive espresso profile.
Approximate brewing time
The entire extraction can take around 60 seconds, depending on the exercise.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Fast extraction | expensive . |
| Quality Results . | cleaning is complex . |
Mocha coffee maker
A mocha coffee maker is designed to brew a whole cup of coffee, not a single shot like espresso. You can also brew multiple cups of coffee at once, depending on the size of your coffee maker.
The mocha machine consists of 3 metal parts. The lower chamber contains the water, the filter the ground coffee beans and the brewed coffee flows into the upper chamber.
The mocha coffee maker is very easy to use. The lower chamber is filled with water, the middle chamber with coffee powder, the upper part is screwed on and the whole thing is placed on the stove.
The pressure in a mocha machine is generated by steam. As the water boils in the lower chamber, the steam creates pressure that pushes the water vapor up through the coffee into the upper chamber, where the steam cools again and becomes coffee.
Ideal degree of grinding
A medium-fine grind should be used. This means it is slightly coarser than espresso and similar or slightly finer than table salt.
Ideal bean roast
Usually a medium or dark roast is used. These darker roasts are characterized by their rich chocolate or roasted nut flavor, low acidity, full body, and creamy texture.
Approximate brewing time
The brewing time depends on whether you use cold or hot water. However, it is important that you use the lowest heating level, otherwise too much pressure is created and the extraction is poor.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Inexpensive | Danger of burns |
| Easy to to clean | |
| Can be used anywhere with a gas cooker. |
Aeropress
Simple and efficient, the Aeropress consists of a plastic tube with a rubber piston.
When the plunger is inserted into the tube, a vacuum is created and the pressure increases, creating a fantastic pressurized coffee.
The coffee and hot water go into the bottom of the Aeropress, meaning it must be turned upside down. After adding coffee and water, cover the filter and turn the Aeropress upside down so that the piston is pointing upwards.
After 10 to 50 seconds, the plunger is pressed and the brew is ready.
The Aeropress uses either paper or stainless steel filters. A paper filter should last at least 4-5 cycles.
Ideal degree of grinding
You are free to choose the degree of grinding, but we recommend a degree of grinding as used in the mocha machine, ie medium-fine.
Ideal bean roast
The Aeropress adjusts to suit your taste if you prefer a medium or dark roast.
Approximate brewing time
Can be done in 60 seconds if the water is hot enough.
Coffee extraction by decoction
Decoction means that the coffee is boiled to extract its aroma. It’s been around for centuries and is perhaps the oldest extraction method of all.
Cowboy coffee
Cowboy coffee is a traditional brewing process that dates back to a time before sophisticated equipment. The name comes from its use when camping when all you have is a pot and a fire to brew your coffee.
First you need to fill a pot with water and coffee. The ratio is one tablespoon (15 gr.) for every cup brewed.
Then bring the water to a boil, let the coffee steep for 4 minutes and wait a few more minutes until the coffee has settled on the bottom of the pot.
Ideal degree of grinding
The recommended grind is as coarse as that of the French Press or even coarser. Fine beans don’t settle as easily and ideally shouldn’t get in your mouth.
Ideal bean roast
You don’t have to commit to a specific roast, you can start with a medium roast and then experiment to your taste. It is recommended that the roast be fresh.
Approximate brewing time
The preparation time is 10 to 12 minutes.
Turkish coffee
The preparation of Turkish coffee is simple: the brew is boiled two or three times in a special pot, the cezve . The result is a strong, frothy coffee. It’s served in demitas cups with the residue, so it must be super finely ground.
Find out in detail in our blog Turkish coffee: what is it and how to prepare it at home?
Ideal degree of grinding
It is recommended that it be very fine, even finer than espresso.
Ideal bean roast
It’s best to use a dark roast that resists the brew’s other strong flavors and aromas.
Approximate brewing time
It should take between 7 and 10 minutes for the Turkish coffee to brew. Because of the cezve’s small volume , it’s easier to brew about two cups at a time.
