AD | There’s nothing quite like enjoying a freshly brewed coffee in the early morning hours to get you going for the day, is there? Plus, in case you didn’t know, coffee also has a range of health benefits! Now that so many of us are working from home, popping to your local coffee shop isn’t so easy any more. But you can still make a delicious brew without leaving your kitchen, or investing in a fancy coffee machine. Here are 5 of the most popular coffee brewing methods at home, how to do them, and what makes them so great 🙂
Top 5 most popular coffee brewing methods at home
If you’re one of the many who just don’t have the get-up-and-go needed to face the day without that first cuppa, you’ll love these easy at-home coffee brewing methods. First up, is one of the simplest of the group.
#1 French Press/Plunge *
Classic, inexpensive, (and charming in an old-world European way), the French press, or cafetiere, is a simple brewing device that’s easy to use and produces reasonably good coffee. It’s convenient, and you can brew large quantities of coffee at the same time. This coffee-making method relies on a mesh filtration screen, which allows liquids through. Although that means it’s not as vibrant and clean when it comes to flavour. However, it does give you a relatively robust cup of coffee with minimal effort.
Advantages: it’s a simple brewing method and great for when you’re making coffee for a crowd.
Drawbacks: the flavour isn’t as good as some other methods, and cleaning the press can be cumbersome.
See the latest pricing for a French Press Coffee Maker on Amazon.*
#2 Moka Pot/Percolate
The magic behind using a Moka pot is that it’s an inexpensive way to brew top-quality coffee at home. It produces a robust and bittersweet brew, typical of a pressurised brewing process, but without needing the fancy equipment. The pot has 3 chambers, and each plays a role in the brewing process. The bottom compartment is filled with water and boiled until it evaporates. This pushes steam through the coffee grounds in the middle section, into the top chamber, where you’ll find your freshly brewed coffee.
Advantages: you can make multiple cups of tasty coffee at the same time quickly and with minimal skill involved.
Drawbacks: finding the right grind can be challenging.
Click here to buy a Moka Pot Coffee Maker on Amazon.*
#3 Pour Over/Hand Drip *
Pour-over coffee is one of the quickest, simplest, and most cost-effective ways to brew barista-quality coffee at home. This method uses a medium to coarse grind and produces a flavour profile that has a smooth, round body. It only takes around 3 minutes to brew quality coffee! This method involves pouring hot water evenly over coffee grounds. For the best results, you need to use a quality pour-over coffee maker and a gooseneck kettle like this one from Uno Casa.
Advantages: of all the coffee-making methods, this produces the best tasting coffee with the least amount of effort and expenditure.
Drawbacks: you can only make a limited quantity at a time.
#4 Cowboy Coffee/Boiling
Can you boil an egg? If so, this old-fashioned method of brewing coffee is accessible to you. All you need is some medium to coarse ground coffee grounds, a heat source, and a saucepan. Besides a coffee grinder, you don’t need any fancy equipment and it only takes approximately 10 minutes from start to finish.
How to make cowboy coffee:
- Boil some water, and remove it from the heat source.
- Grind your beans and add the grounds to the warm water.
- Make sure it’s not boiling as this will interfere with the flavour.
- Once you’ve added the coffee, let it brew for around 4 to 5 minutes.
- When the grounds have settled, your coffee is ready to pour!
Advantages: there is no simpler (or cheaper) way of making coffee that can still taste good.
Drawbacks: it’s messy, and it’s hit and miss until you figure out your grind and timing.
#5 AeroPress/Press *
A relatively new way to brew coffee, the AeroPress produces a single cup of coffee in minutes. The press is compact, portable, and easy to use and clean. And it works with fine/medium ground beans to give a full-bodied, sweet, espresso-style coffee. The coffee is made by pressing down the plunger to create air pressure. This forces the brewed coffee through the filter and into the cup.
Advantages: it’s quick, easy, delicious, and portable. You can even make an espresso with a rich crema using this coffee maker.
Drawbacks: you can only produce a single cup of coffee at a time, and it requires the ongoing expense of micro-filters.
Read real reviews about this AeroPress coffee maker on Amazon.*
And the verdict on the best way to brew coffee at home…
Well, to be honest, everyone will have a different opinion on the best at-home coffee-brewing method. And this all depends on elements like flavour, affordability, and ease of use. While pour-over coffee gives the best results in terms of taste, it’s not ideal for making many cups simultaneously. But overall, no matter which method you use, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Instead, use that money to buy some top-quality coffee beans, and learn the best way to grind your coffee beans, because that’s the sure fire way to make the most significant difference to your morning brew! And if you’re looking for coffee subscriptions, why not check out some coffee clubs for a curated selection that’s delivered to your doorstep? Happy brewing!
What’s your favourite way to brew coffee at home? Have you tried any of these coffee brewing methods above? And do you have a particular blend of coffee that works best for you in the mornings?
* This is a contributed post and contains affiliate links (please see my Disclaimer).
This was so cool, I didn’t know some of them. I have a percolator at home and a Senseo machine, it differs which guest I have and what mood I’m in which one I use. Since the percolator gets much more caffeine into the coffee, it’s perfect for the morning!
Thank you – and I love your reasons for why and when you use your coffee makers!
I love the smell and taste of coffee but I can’t drink it because it bothers my stomach. I had to switch to tea years ago. It doesn’t stop me taking a big inhale when I walk past a coffee shop though!
Ah, that’s a shame, Michelle – but yes, the aroma of roasting coffee beans is amazing 🙂
I’m totally lazy and my coffee comes in a small capsule that I put into my nespresso machine that then spits out a nice espresso for my morning latte 😂
That said one of my favorite coffee brewing methods are cold brewing overnight in the fridge. Perfect for summer ice lattes 😍
A morning espresso cum latte sounds delicious – and cold brewing sounds great for summer too 🙂
I love coffee, this post is so interesting. I didn’t know much about Cowboy coffee
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Neither did I TBH – but thank you!
I LIVE for coffee!! We have a press that get’s used daily and you’re so right, cleaning it is a pain in the bum!! Rob uses that and I stick to my Dulce Gusto machine.
These ideas sound good though, I think I might try the cowboy coffee and I think Rob would like the Aeropress x
I know, I never feel the grinds are really out of the press – have fun with some cowboy coffee, perfect for camping trips too! x
I’m not a coffee drinker so I don’t know much about it at all, and that was such an informative post! I enjoyed learning, thanks for sharing 🙂
Anika
Thank you, I’m glad you found it useful!
I am a total pour over fan! When I am too lazy, I usually go for an espresso machine, but as you said, great beans are at the base of it all! Thanks for sharing this, Lisa x
Absolutely, you need to have great beans – glad you’re a pour over fan too! x
We use a Keurig at home for the most part, with reusable pods that you fill with your coffee grounds. Honestly, this is for no other reason than the fact that it’s quick and convenient when we’re busy with our regular schedule. However, when we go camping, it’s a totally different ballgame! Not only because we don’t have the power to run a Keurig (we’re tent campers) but also because we are relaxing and more focused on enjoying our coffee rather than just getting that quick caffeine fix on the go. We bought a pour-over coffee maker for this and it’s perfect.
Ha, yes, I can quite see that camping and Keurigs don’t mix – glad you’re a pour over fan, although I must admit I thought you’d be a cowboy coffee advocate!
This is a interesting post. I prefer tea to coffee usually but I do occasionally love a cup of coffee. I’ve heard so many people talking about the Aeropress but I didn’t really understand what it did. I’ve never really thought about how the way I make the coffee can impact its taste before but it completely makes sense.
Thank you – and yes, bean quality is important but so is how you get the water (or steam) into your brew – glad you found this useful!
The Moka pot sounds good and it can serve more people with a minimum amount. But the third also good to consume less and get a good coffee haha. Thank you for sharing!
I like your thinking! Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I’m an absolute coffee geek and have pretty much every kind of way to make coffee at home (much to my husband’s annoyance). I even do different brews on different days, haha! I love reading this — very informative!
Wow, this post was spot on for you then! Love that you have different brews all the time 🙂
I have a French Press and a traditional coffee maker. I’m still learning how to use my French Press (it was gifted to me last year), but I do agree that purchasing higher end coffee beans makes all the difference! I can never go back. For now, I use my coffee maker a lot, mostly due to the fact I have to make something quickly, but I would like to try the other methods you’ve mentioned here sometime. x
It sounds like you have the best of both worlds – glad to hear you’re in favour of good quality beans too! x
Thanks for the great insight into coffee i enjoyed the read
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it.
I’m a tea drinker but I know my friends and family all love a coffee, I’ll guide them to this post if they ever get bored of instant coffee! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you, Lucy, that would be very kind x
The AeroPress sounds very interesting! I love that it tries to offset the disadvantages of the methods above it by being compact and easily cleanable, but I agree with you that coffee brewing is all about what method you have perfected and what kind of ritual you have made it into.
Coffee is a surprisingly personal drink when being made at home! 🙂
Oh I love that, Jaya. Coffee is a personal thing and I’d not thought about it as a ritual but you’re absolutely right, thank you!
As a non-coffee drinker, I had no idea there were so many different types of brewing methods, this was such an interesting read. I love the sophistication of a cafetiere but that’s probably just me. Great post!
I know, tea is much more straightforward! And yes, there’s something about a cafetiere, we have an Alessi one that we love!
I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but my husband enjoys making coffee at home using either his drip coffee pot or French press. He likes to buy whole beans and grind them fresh for the best flavor. I prefer tea, al kinds of tea.
There are actually a few different brewing methods for tea, too. The most common ones are infusions and decoctions.
Black tea, white tea, green tea and herbal teas made from leaves & flowers are all infused by pouring hot water over the plant material (or tea bags) and steeping for a short time.
For teas made from tough, woody plant parts like roots, stems and bark the best method is a decoction. Place the plant material (roots, stems or bark) in the pot of water & place the lid on the pot. Slowly bring the mixture to a simmer and let it simmer for 15 minutes, then strain & enjoy.
To be honest, I’m usually a tea girl as well, so thank you for your tips on brewing from fresh! And good to know your husband uses different methods for his coffee beans as well 🙂
A really interesting post, Lisa! I’ll admit I’m not a coffee drinker, so I had no idea there were so many brewing methods! I’m very much more of a tea drinker.
Thank you, Hannah, I’m glad you found it interesting, even if you prefer tea!
I’m plunger kind of girl. I like instant because when I need a coffee hit, I need it there and then!
Rosie
Yes, I agree, it’s one of the fastest methods!
Ahh, another non-coffee drinker! This was fun to read – I find the world of coffee mind boggling at times. Cowboy coffee sounds like such a fun name haha 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa!
Yes, it can be but thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the post – yeeharr!
Such an interesting post! I personally don’t drink coffee but my mom loves it so I’ll definitely introduce her to some of these brewing methods.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
Thank you, I hope she finds a method to love 🙂
WOW, as someone who really only makes coffee for other people, I didn’t know there were so many methods, maybe I should give some of them a go!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Haha, yes, you should, you might find one YOU love!
I’m not a coffee person, so I had no idea there were so many different ways to brew coffee! I’ll have to show this to my boyfriend if he ever wants a new way to make his coffee xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
He might find one he likes even more than his current method! x
I really want to get into coffee but I’ve just never been a fan! Saying that I’m always intrigued by learning more about coffee so I can make great coffees for coffee drinkers and this post helped a lot, thank you xx
Aw, that’s so sweet of you, Della, but if you make great coffee for other people you should try some for you too! x
I don’t like coffee, but my boyfriend has a Nespresso. He uses it every morning to make a cafe latte. Before then he would make instant coffee with the electric kettle.
Urrrgh, instant coffee is the worst – glad he’s switched to a Nespresso!
I know absolutely nothing about coffee. I haven’t drunk it in around 7 years, until last year, when I started to dip my toes back in again! I don’t have any fancy coffee machine at home so we just make it in the bog standard way but I would like to try various methods of brewing to see the difference! x
I think that’s a really good idea – there are lots of ways to brew coffee so it will all come down to personal choice xx
I just bought a french press myself and so far I love using it. I’ve found some local coffee shops that sell their beans and will grind them for me. I’m excited to try more new flavors of coffee.
Oh that’s great if you can get the beans ground for you, I hope you find some new flavours to love!
Great post Lisa, these are some great options! The women I work with adore coffee and so I’ve really started to learn more about brewing, and the differences in different types, thank you for sharing x
Thank you, Eleanor! Yes, there’s always something new to learn about coffee, it seems! x
This is a great discussion on brewing that perfect cup. We are more machine driven here in Canada for most families and I have to say the perfect cup for me is all about finding your preferred roast. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jodie – yes, the right beans and the right roast really do make all the difference to the perfect cup of coffee!
I am not a coffee drinker but this was an interesting post. I did learn something from this. I never knew there were different types of brewing methods and this post brought that to my knowledge. I have never tried coffee weird but yea. If I was a coffee drinker, I would have gone with the Pour over/hand drip brewing method. It sounds like a really nice brewing method. Great post x!
Yes, there are lots of different methods, these are just 5 of them (!) but I’m glad you found it interesting, thank you, Ruth x
After reading this, I’m missing the coffeeshop since we are still on lockdown. I don’t really use coffee beans what we have is nespresso machine. It would be good to try the coffees from these methods you mentioned. 😉
I know, it’s not just about the brew, it’s the social interaction as well – but happy experimenting if you do try some different methods!
Oh love this good to know thanks for posting!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Glad it was helpful 🙂
I am a huge fan of coffee – so many different ways to brew coffee too. My favorite is the pour over/hand drip. The concentration is on point. I never heard of cowboy coffee before. This method is so interesting, but I do agree with the messiness! I am a big fan of cold brews!
Nancy ✨
I do love a good iced coffee as well, nothing better on a hot day – thank you, Nancy!
Thanks for sharing, I use a french press all the time at my parents as it makes enough for the three of us to enjoy 🙂
French presses are perfect for small groups, aren’t they? 🙂
Great blog post! We bought a Sage coffee machine a year or so ago and use it every day. On the weekends I tend to use the drip filter coffee for that longer, stronger brew. It works for me then as time is usually a factor for me in the mornings. Whenever we go on holiday we take the Moka Pot, as its easy to travel with and gives the best coffee when away from home.
Thank you! I love how you use lots of different methods for your home brewed coffee – and that’s such a great tip about taking the Moka away on holiday, I’d never thought of that but you’re absolutely right, it’s perfect for travelling 🙂
Coffee lover over here! First thing in the morning before I do anything, is make a cup of coffee. I need the smell and taste of it pronto and therefore it’ll be the quickest method.
Cowboy coffee, that’s a new one for me. 😂
TBH, it’s not a term I’d heard of either but you live and learn 🙂
Great ideas, I want to keep making the perfect coffee at home. I will use these ways. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, happy brewing!
Thanks for sharing. It’s a great idea for the coffee lover
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post 🙂