6 different ways to make great tasting coffee

Great tasting coffee. Whether you want a quick-and-easy method to brew a family-sized amount of regular joe or just one robust cup of espresso to sip solo, everyone has a preferred method. We’re here to help demystify how to make good coffee in six different ways:

PERFECT POUR-OVER

If you’re interested in making a delicious, medium-bodied cup of coffee with fuller control over the brewing process, you’ll love the classic pour-over method. This hands-on approach is a favourite among baristas because it allows the brewer to control the speed of the pour and the total number of pouring rounds to carefully extract the coffee’s tasting notes.

Start with freshly ground beans at the right size — the grounds are too fine if coffee takes a long time to pass through and too coarse if water passes through too quickly. Craft the perfect pour-over in a few easy steps:

• Bring cold water to a boil in a kettle.
• Place the filter in the brewer.
• Dampen the filter with hot water and pour out the excess.
• When boiled water cools to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, pour it over the ground coffee in a circular motion.
• De-gas the coffee during the “bloom pour” by pausing the pour before the coffee begins to drip through.
• Slowly pour the remaining water until the dripper is between one-half and three-quarters full.
• Remove the filter, serve and enjoy!

CONVENIENT DRIP METHOD

When you want to make coffee to go or need hot-and-ready coffee available for several people at once, nothing beats the convenience of a drip coffee machine. What batch brewers lack in hands-on control, they make up for in their simplicity and capacity to make larger quantities of coffee, making them a trusted choice for professional settings.

The drip method is ideal for:

• Households with multiple coffee drinkers
• Office break rooms
• Corporate conference rooms
• Business and hotel lobbies
• College residence hall kitchens
• University lounges
• Healthcare facilities
• Hospitality services

When using a high-quality industrial-grade brewer, all you have to do is grind the coffee beans, add them to the filter and press the brew button — it’s that simple! Premeasured coffee packets make it even easier to achieve perfectly portioned, flavorful batches every time. With advances in brewer technology, anyone can enjoy café-quality coffee at home, work or school.

FLAVORFUL FRENCH PRESS

Europeans certainly know a thing or two about making an excellent cup of coffee! If you’re looking for a rich, full-bodied brew with a smooth finish, nothing beats the time-tested French press experience.

The method is right in the name — grounds are “pressed” to the bottom of the carafe with a plunger after they’ve brewed directly in hot water. Because the grounds are steeped freely in water, the coffee finish is creamier with a more robust flavour. Since no paper filters are needed, the French press is one of the most eco-conscious brew options.

To make, simply add loose ground coffee into the beaker, fill it with water and wait four minutes. Now comes the satisfying part — gently push those grounds to the bottom! Grab a croissant, pour the coffee into your favourite mug and relax.

For the most flavorful outcome, follow these tips:

• Use a coarser grind.
• The water should be around 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Decant the coffee as soon as possible once it’s brewed to prevent over-extraction.

CLASSIC COLD BREW

Cold-brewed coffee provides the taste of your favourite caffeinated beverage without the heat. It’s no surprise this refreshing drink is one of the hottest — rather, “coolest” — trends in the coffee market right now.

Unlike traditional hot coffees, cold brew is made by soaking freshly ground coffee in cold or room temperature water. The much slower extraction method yields a smoother, sweeter flavour and a slightly higher level of caffeine.

Anyone can make this easy drink, no barista is required:

• In a large mason jar or cold brew system, add one-third cup of medium-coarse grounds to every 1-and-a-half cups of cold water.
• After cold-brewing for 12 to 24 hours, strain the coffee twice through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth and refrigerate.
• When you’re ready to drink, mix one-third to one-half of the coffee concentrate with water, to taste, over ice.

Cold brew is a popular choice for campus cafés and businesses because it can be made ahead of time in larger quantities. Most folks enjoy cold brew without any additives since it’s naturally sweeter than other coffees, but a splash of milk and sweetener tastes great, too.

REFRESHING ICED COFFEE

Not to be confused with cold brew, iced coffee is brewed cold but the brewing process is different. Making iced coffee still involves the traditional brewing method using heat.

At home, brew coffee using your method of choice. Cool the coffee to room temperature and refrigerate. You can also flash-brew coffee for a quick drink by brewing, letting it cool a little, and then immediately pour it over ice. Keep in mind that the ice will dilute the flavour as it melts. Here’s a pro tip — the next time you have leftover coffee, freeze it in ice cube trays and use the cubes in a glass of iced coffee to prevent flavour loss.

At the office, breakroom coffee experiences don’t need to be limited to hot beverages only. Some on-demand professional machines include an iced coffee option so colleagues can enjoy a cold drink at the touch of a button.

ENERGETIC ESPRESSO

The beloved drink that originated in Italy in the 1800s is more popular than ever, with American coffee drinkers choosing espresso-based beverages and premium beans over traditional coffee. If you’re a fan of extremely strong coffee and espresso drinks, choose an espresso-making option for your counter.

Before selecting your espresso maker, think about available space, budget and versatility:

• Moka pot: The stovetop percolator’s simple design can brew one cup or enough for a small gathering. Heated water is pressurized by steam and then passes through the ground coffee.
• Espresso machine: A small amount of highly pressurized hot water passes through the ground coffee to create highly concentrated coffee in under 30 seconds.

Here’s a flavorful pro tip — espresso requires the finest coffee bean grounds out of all coffee types, so make sure to grind well. While it takes more practice to use a professional espresso machine, once you get into the rhythm, you can make a wide variety of speciality drinks at home, school or the office — cappuccinos, café lattes, macchiatos, mochas and more.