Choosing a brew method
Which one is right for you?
There are so many coffee brewing options today, which can make it difficult to choose one for your daily routine. The best way to decide is to think about what you enjoy in a cup of coffee. Is it a full bodied and heavy mouthfeel or a crisp, clean taste? Time is another important factor to consider. Do you have several minutes to devote to coffee brewing or would you rather pull a quick couple shots of espresso?
We’ve laid out a few popular brew methods below to help you choose.
French Press
The metal mesh filter in a French press makes for a full bodied flavor because the coffee oils remain in the cup. It takes several minutes to brew coffee with a French press, but it requires steeping instead of active pouring (as with a manual drip method). French press is perfect for someone who enjoys a full flavored cup of coffee and a relatively easy brewing process.
We recommend:
Thunderbolt Blend–darker roast blend with notes of toffee, maple and caramel
Guatemala–Darker roast single origin coffee with notes of chocolate, citrus and dark fruit
Pour over
The pour over method uses a paper filter to keep the coffee oils out of the final product, which creates a clean flavor in which the coffee’s distinct flavors shine through. This method also calls for actively pouring just-boiled water over the full surface area of the grounds to achieve a well rounded flavor. The pour over method works for someone who has more than a couple minutes to spend preparing their coffee and prefers clear, crisp flavors.
We recommend:
Red Line Blend–lighter roast blend with notes of cinnamon, hazelnut and apple
Ethiopia–lighter roast single origin coffee with notes of mango, sugar cane and lime
Espresso
Brewing or “pulling” shots of espresso is an efficient way to prepare bold and flavorful coffee. Highly pressurized water passes through tightly packed coffee grounds to produce a small amount of coffee with a lot of flavor and a rich layer of crema on top. Espresso is consumed on its own or in a drink such as a latte or cappuccino to cuts the bold flavor with milk. Brewing espresso requires a more significant equipment setup than other methods, but it is a quick and delicious way to brew once the initial setup is complete.
We recommend:
Number 50–darker roast blend with chocolate, hazelnut and blackberry notes
Chemex
Coffee brewed with a Chemex is very clean and consistent with little room for impurities. It is a manual drip method that uses a folded paper filter to allow for full contact of water and coffee. This method ensures a pure and bright cup with no muddy flavor notes.
We recommend:
West End Blend–Complex and sweet with notes of blackberry and brown sugar
Costa Rica–Sweet and mellow with toffee and cashew flavors
