Many of us could not imagine a day without coffee, which is why perfecting the ideal brew is so essential. Whether you are a coffee expert or a casual sipper, you can likely taste the unique flavors that result from different brewing methods. Follow along as we help you navigate the best and most popular brewers to create the perfect morning coffee.

Drip Coffee Maker 

The most familiar way to make coffee is likely with drip coffee makers. This is the common brewing method you think of when the term “brew a pot of coffee” comes to mind. Drip coffee makers allow you to make either one cup or up to 14 at a time with the push of a button, which makes this method convenient for families, entertainers, and traditionalists. Once brewed, an optional thermal carafe will keep the coffee warm without distorting its flavor.

 

How it works

1. Grind your coffee beans to a medium ground
2. Add cold water to the reservoir, and ground coffee to a paper filter
3. Push the start button, allowing water to heat and pass through the grounds
4. Brewed coffee is dispensed into a glass pot atop a heated plate, which keeps the coffee warm

Pour Over Coffee Maker

As its name suggests, the pour over method is brewed by pouring hot water over ground coffee that drains through a filter. Though it may sound similar to the drip coffee method, this is a much more manual process. You are in complete control of crafting your brew from the water temperature, pour steadiness, and filter adjustments. This method results in a rich, full-bodied mug of coffee. 

 

How it works

1. Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine ground
2. Place grounds into a cone-shaped funnel with a paper filter
3. Add hot water to the coffee grounds in rounds, first to "bloom" the coffee grounds and second to fully brew them
4. As the water filters, it empties into a single cup or carafe

 French Press Coffee Maker

A French Press works by gently steeping coffee grounds in hot–not quite boiled–water through a method called “immersion brewing.” This means the coffee grounds are immersed in water that is not actively drained through them. Once steeped, the coffee grounds are then plunged to the bottom of the carafe through a built-in metal filter. The resulting brew is typically rich in taste because the press’ metal screen allows more of the coffee’s natural oils to remain than a paper filter.

 

How it works

1. Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse ground
2. Combine grounds and just-boiled water and add the lid, allowing the coffee to steep
3. After a few minutes, slowly push the plunger down to move coffee grounds to the bottom of the carafe (the longer the coffee steeps, the stronger the brew – 4 minutes is recommended)

Espresso/Bean-To-Cup Machine

Like coffee, there are many methods to brew espresso, which is a type of concentrated coffee that uses dark roast beans and a fine grind. However, the basic principles are the same: pressurized water is pushed through a chamber of finely ground coffee beans and a filter, resulting in what we call a shot of espresso. Espresso machines can vary in price and complexity, and choosing the correct model can be a bit overwhelming. For a fast and easy machine to operate, we highly recommend JURA Automatic Coffee Machines. Produce the finest espresso, coffee, cappuccino, and latte with ease – you’ll think for a second you are enjoying a freshly brewed mug at your local coffee shop.

Stovetop Espresso Maker

If you are brewing coffee from home and are not equipped with a state-of-the-art espresso machine, a stovetop espresso maker is a great alternative. We recommend a Moka pot–it creates a strong brew that is often compared to espresso because it uses a fine grind and produces a relatively low volume but does not technically qualify as an authentic espresso. This stovetop “espresso maker” will allow you to enjoy a quality mug of dark, rich coffee from the comfort of your home that is the perfect base for a latte or cappuccino.

 

How it works

1. Grind your coffee beans to a fine ground
2. Pre-heat your water and add to the bottom chamber
3. Add coffee grounds into the filter basket and even out with the back of a spoon
4. Screw on the top of the pot
5. Put on the stove and increase/decrease heat accordingly
6. When the bottom chamber reaches a boil, the built-up pressure will push the coffee out of the valve and gradually fill the pot

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Traditional iced coffee is made by pouring hot coffee over ice, but the cold brew method does not use any heat, which results in a full-bodied brew. Cold brew coffee is steeped in the refrigerator for around 12 hours, allowing the coffee to slowly infuse into the water and create a robust and concentrated coffee. Though cold brew coffee is not completed within minutes because of its long steeping process, it is easy to make a large container to enjoy for the following week.

 

How it works

1. Grind your coffee beans to a coarse ground
2. Combine grounds with water and let it steep overnight (around 12 hours)
3. Strain the following day and enjoy over ice

Single-Serve Capsule Coffee Maker

Fool-proof coffee has been introduced to the game with single-serve capsule coffee makers. These machines have changed the way a traditional drip coffee is created, now offering a mug of coffee at the touch of a button. This method is ideal for anyone who wants a quick, easy way to make a mug of coffee without brewing a whole pot. Best yet? You can enjoy Torke Coffee with the convenience of a single-serve cup! Learn more here.

 

How it works

1. Unpack pod containing pre-ground coffee and insert
2. Start brewing, coffee will dispense directly into the mug

 

Now that you are an expert in all things coffee brewers, the choice is yours! Will you choose to quickly brew a pot of drip coffee in the morning for the sake of convenience? Or will you steep your cold brew overnight for a cool and refreshing beverage the next morning? Regardless of your preferences, your favorite Torke Coffee blends will always help make the process oh-so-worth-it.