Coffee is the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, behind petroleum. We run on it, we swear by it, we’re obsessed with it.
Humans have been drinking coffee since the 15th century, but how much do we really know about it? Like wine or fine dining, coffee is an art. To truly become a coffee connoisseur you need to get to know every aspect of the brew.
With the help of Know Where Coffee, we’ve decided to break the beloved drink down in our new series, the Weekly Grind.
What are the different ways to brew coffee?
Brewing a cup of coffee includes four basic steps:
1. Raw coffee beans must be roasted.
2. The roasted coffee beans must then be ground.
3. The ground coffee must then be mixed with hot water for a certain time.
4. The liquid coffee must be separated from the used grounds.
Chemex
Design
The Chemex combines a pour over filter cone with a beautiful glass decanter. The defining feature of this method is an ultra thick paper filter set flush against the walls.
Results
A light bodied coffee cup with great flavor
Clever Drip
Design
Clever uses a unique stopper and release mechanism to keep coffee and water together until they’re ready to be poured into a server or mug. Because of this dwell time, the Clever is considered a full-immersion brewer.
Results
A full-bodied coffee cup with slight flavor clarity.
Hario V60
Design
The V60 is a cone-shaped dripper with spiral ridges along the inner wall and a single, large opening at the bottom. The design keeps the filter from sticking to the walls of the cone, encouraging extraction at the bottom and sides of of the filter.
Results
A medium body coffee cup with high clarity flavor notes.
Aeropress
Design
The Aeropress is a very unconventional device. It was designed by a manufacturer of flying discs, and there was little expectation that the Aeropress would emerge as a legitimate brewing option. It’s constructed entirely with BPA-free plastics and is virtually indestructible, making it ideal for travel. The design seems to be inspired by the French press, using a plunger to push brewed coffee from the grounds through a paper or metal filter
Results
A balanced cup of coffee with medium to heavy body with good clarity.
Cold Brew
Design
Toddy Cold Brew System produces a smooth, low acid concentrate ideal for hot or iced coffee or tea.
Results
A strong and smooth cup with 67% less acid than hot brewed coffee.
All of the brewing methods above are available at Know Where Coffee, so stop by and experiment with the different options! Stay tuned for next week’s java lesson.
Stay caffeinated, Gainesville.
