Best Coffee Brewing Methods to Try at Home

If you are looking for a new at-home coffee brewing method, you have come to the right place. There are many ways to brew coffee outside of the standard automatic coffee maker (which you’re probably a pro at by now). 

Below is a list of popular brew methods for you to try, with step-by-step instructions. For each of these brew methods, I would recommend using whole-bean Arbor Day Coffee for optimal freshness, a water kettle, and a burr coffee grinder. If you don’t have a grinder, no worries — your ground coffee will work just fine. But as you dip your toe into the world of brewing coffee, a nice coffee grinder will absolutely elevate your coffee experience. 

If you’re in the market for a coffee grinder, I would recommend going with a burr grinder as opposed to a blade grinder. A burr coffee grinder grinds coffee in a more uniform way by using two revolving burrs that often can be adjusted to achieve your desired grind size.

Pour-Over Brewing Method

There are many different pour-over brew methods, from the Chemex to the single cup OXO Pour-Over Coffee Maker. I would recommend choosing a pour-over device that best meets your daily consumption. I find the 8-cup Chemex is the perfect amount for my household in the mornings, however if I only want one cup brewed fresh in the afternoon, the OXO Pour-Over is where it’s at!  

You’ll need: 

1. A pour-over brewing device that best meets your needs. 
2. Special Chemex filters if you’ve chosen to go with a Chemex, or the Melitta #4 filters if you’ve chosen most any other pour-over device. 

Brewing instructions: 

1. Measure out your coffee for a 1:18 brew ratio (more or less depending on your preferred coffee strength). In an 8-cup Chemex, our recommendation would be to use 50 grams of coffee and 900 grams of water. In a single cup pour-over, 23 grams of coffee is a great starting point. 
2. Grind your coffee medium-course so it is the consistency of fine sea salt. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
3. Heat the water until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat. You’ll want your water just off boil (200–205° F). 
4. Place the filter into the pour-over device and pour some of the hot water through the filter to rinse out the paper fibers. (Don’t forget to dump out the water.) 
5. Pour your ground coffee into the filter. 
6. Slowly pour the hot water over the grounds (or into the reservoir if using the Oxo Pour-Over) until gradually the scale reaches your preferred amount of water in grams. This will take roughly 4 minutes. 
7. Remove the filter with the grounds and enjoy a smooth and delicious cup of coffee. 

French Press 

French press coffee is a favorite for many, mostly for its simplicity and consistently great results. Because there’s no paper filter used, French press coffee delivers a complex, full-bodied, and slightly more viscous cup of coffee. (often you’ll see a small amount of coffee sediment on the bottom of your cup, similar to loose-leaf tea.) 

You’ll need: 

1. A French press that best meets your consumption needs. Here is an example of a 34 oz., 8-cup Bodum Caffettiera French Press, however there are several brands and sizes to choose from. 

Brewing Instructions: 

1. Measure out your coffee for a 1:15 brew ratio (more or less, depending on your preferred coffee strength). In a 34 oz. French press, with a 1:15 brew ration, that would be 60 grams of coffee and 900 grams of water. 
2. Grind your coffee course. It should look like course sea salt. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
3. Heat the water until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat. You’ll want your water just off boil (200–205° F). 
4. Pour your ground coffee into the French press and give it a little shake so the grounds settle at the bottom. 
5. Pour the hot water over the grounds, ensuring all the grounds are saturated. Pouring the water until it reaches the top will be approximate 900 grams, so using a scale isn’t necessary for this brew method. 
6. Put the plunger lid on and set your timer for 4 minutes. 
7. After 4 minutes, slowly push the plunger all the way down. Then enjoy! 

Moka Pot Stove-top Method

If you are a fan of a strong cup of coffee, the moka pot is a great brew method to try. This method does not require a hot water kettle or a paper filter, because it will sit right on your stove-top burner, similar to a percolator. If you are a fan of camping, the moka pot would be a great option to bring with you!   

You’ll need: 

1. The moka pot, like most other brewing devices, comes in different sizes. Here is an example of a 6-cup Bialetti Express Moka Pot. 

Brewing Instructions: 

1. Unscrew the bottom half of the moka pot, remove the funnel-shaped metal filter, and fill the lower chamber with cold water until the water is right below the valve. 
2. Grind your coffee fine. It should look powdery. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
3. Fill the funnel-shaped metal filter with your finely ground coffee. It’s important not to tamp down the grounds. Place the metal filter back into the lower chamber. 
4. Attach the top back onto the base and place the moka pot onto a stove-top burner. 
5. Heat the water to a boil. The coffee will percolate through the center spout. 
6. Once the coffee is done coming through the spout, turn the heat off, and pour your strong and robust coffee into your favorite mug. 

Trying new coffee brewing methods is a lot of fun. It’s truly amazing how the brew method and grind size can enhance your coffee experience and enjoyment.

Order some delicious shade-grown coffee to try and be sure to share your perfect cup with us on Instagram or Facebook!