Different Ways Of Preparing American Coffee

Coffee beans are an incredible source to make delicious hot or cold drinks that anyone can enjoy. As there are many different types of coffee beans, there’s also many different ways to prepare coffee. All around the world you’ll see people preparing coffee in different ways. In America, there are some common preparation methods. Whether it is pour over, drip, cold brew, the different methods of preparing coffee will give you different tastes and flavors.

Pour Over Coffee

Pour over coffee has become a more common way to prepare coffee. The simplest explanation of pour over coffee is pouring hot water over and through the coffee grounds. This extracts the flavor of the coffee into your cup. All you need to make pour over coffee is ground coffee, water, a cup, a filter, and a funnel. No machine is needed, although you can buy one if you prefer. To make sure you prepare a quality cup of coffee when using the pour over method, you want to make sure you have high quality coffee beans and good water.
This method might sound simple, but it does require some skill. It is important that the coffee grinds are the right coarseness, that you have the right measurements, and the correct water temperature. You also want to make sure you give the grinds time to bloom (release carbon dioxide) when pouring in the water and then pour the rest of the water at a slow and circular pace. This method requires patience and practice, but once you get it, you might never use another method again.

Cold Brew Coffee

Another popular brewing method is cold brew coffee. Cold brew coffee is not the same as iced coffee. Iced coffee is regular brewed coffee poured over ice. Cold brew coffee is made when the coffee beans are steeped in room temperate or cold water over a long period of time, usually around 12 – 20 hours. This method is gentler on the coffee beans and gives the coffee a smoother and less acidic flavor. This brewing method is also popular because it contains more caffeine than regular brewed coffee.

French Press Coffee

You might have heard of the French press method. This method does require that you buy a French press. To prepare coffee this way, the grounds are soaked in hot water for a few minutes and then a filter is pressed down on the grounds. This method creates a stronger flavored cup of coffee.

Espresso

Many favorite coffee drinks—lattes, cappuccinos, americanos—are made using espresso. Espresso is a method that uses pressure to move the hot water through the coffee grounds. It makes the most concentrated brewed coffee. To do this method of brewing coffee, you will need to purchase an espresso machine.

Drip Coffee

The most common brewing method is drip coffee. Drip brew is the easiest way to make a large amount of coffee at one time. To make drip coffee, you can either use a manual type that has a filter and you fill it with hot water, or you can use an automated electric coffee maker. This method is common in most homes and restaurants across America. In fact, you probably have one in your kitchen.

These are the more popular ways that Americans brew coffee. There’s not necessarily a best way to brew coffee, as it’s usually a personal preference kind of thing. If you haven’t tried a particular method, go ahead and try it. Or, you can even have a “coffee party”, where you and your friends try various methods and see what you like better.
It’s fun to pay around with coffee brewing methods. Go ahead and have some fun and see which you prefer best.