Mankind knows a huge number of ways to make coffee. Since the discovery of the amazing properties of ground grains, people do not get tired of experimenting with this drink and come up with new preparation options that allow you to maximize its taste.
In this article, we’ll look at the most popular brewing methods and suggest alternative methods that are a fresh trend in the world of baristas and gourmet coffee.
intresting process of Coffee production
Coffee is an evergreen tropical plant belonging to the genus Coffea of the Rubiaceae family. About 80 species of this plant are found in nature. A person widely cultivates two types of coffee trees for his needs: Coffea arabica – arabica, Coffea canephora (robusta) – robusta.
Evergreen coffee trees usually grow to a height of 20 feet. To make harvesting easier, they are pruned to eight to ten feet.
Coffee is the seed of the berry of a coffee tree that grows in a narrow subtropical zone up to 6,000 feet above sea level.
The fruit of the coffee tree ripens at different times, therefore, in most cases, they are harvested by hand. It takes approximately 2,000 Arabica beans (approximately five pounds) to produce one pound of roasted coffee beans. Since each berry contains two beans, one pound of coffee is actually made from 4000 coffee beans.
One medium-sized coffee tree produces one to two pounds of roasted coffee beans annually, and before the first harvest, the tree must grow for four to five years.
Like all fruit crops, before harvesting, the coffee tree first blooms in thin clusters of white flowers, reminiscent of jasmine in shape and aroma.
Flowering lasts for several days, then small green coffee berries begin to appear, which in six to nine months ripen to yellow, red and then almost black.
Which variety is better
To choose good coffee beans, you need to know the characteristics of its types.
- Arabica has an unsurpassed mild aroma.
- Robusta contains more caffeine than Arabica, giving the drink a unique bitterness and a pungent aroma.
- Liberica has a pronounced bitter taste. It is not used in its “pure form”, however, mixtures using its grains are distinguished by their richness and depth of aroma.
The 8 Most Important Benefits Of Coffee
The most famous property of coffee is its stimulating effect on the brain and nervous system, which is caused by the caffeine contained in the beans. Surely many noted that a cup of a fragrant and strong drink improves mood, gives the body – strength, and thoughts – clarity. This is due to the effect of chemical compounds on the areas of the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure, which leads to an increase in the production of serotonin, also called the “hormone of happiness.”
Thus, coffee acts as a natural psychostimulant and antidepressant. In addition, serotonin is a link for the transfer of information between brain cells, which explains the clarity of thought that appears after drinking the drink.
Caffeine also increases blood circulation so the brain and other organs receive more oxygen. In addition, it increases the metabolic rate and breakdown of fats, which undoubtedly allows a positive effect on body weight.
In addition to caffeine, coffee beans also contain oils, vitamins, organic acids and other substances the body needs.
Therefore, the lesser known, but proven health benefits of coffee are:
- stimulation of the gallbladder;
- mild strengthening of intestinal motility;
- reducing the effect of radiation;
- retention of potassium in the body;
- preventing the spread of caries;
- some improvement in potency;
- headache treatment;
- antioxidant effect.
Making coffee in a pour-over
The choice of one or another method of brewing coffee largely depends on the personal preferences of each person – his wishes for strength, transparency, aroma. If you like a clear drink with a delicate taste and a distinct sensation of every aromatic note, pay attention to coffee made with a pour-over.
Purover (or Hario) is a V60 ceramic funnel with spiral walls, inside which a thin paper filter is placed to filter out the sediment.
Method
The method was invented in Japan back in 1908. For a long time, it was considered the best way of making coffee in the Land of the Rising Sun, and in recent years has gained popularity around the world.
The peculiarity of the pourover is the 60 ° funnel angle and spiral ribs, thanks to which the air circulates freely inside the vessel. Any type of coffee can be used in the preparation of the drink, however, according to many experts, the best is Arabica. For brewing, both single varieties and blends of Arabica are suitable, but without Robusta, since it will taste bitter.
The whole process of cooking in a pourover is as follows:
- For one serving, take 17 grams of medium roast coffee and 240 ml of water heated to a temperature of 91–94 ° C. The grains should be medium-fine – like coarse salt.
Place the pourover on a mug or jug and place the filter inside. With this method, the dishes must be warmed up and at the same time moisten the filter with water so that the drink does not acquire a papery taste.
- Ground coffee is poured into a filter, leveled and slightly moistened with water (about 20 ml). Wait 30 seconds, and then pour the rest of the water in a thin stream. The filling is performed in a circular motion, being careful not to touch the walls of the funnel.
- When all the coffee is in the jug, the pour-over is removed and the drink is poured into cups.
When all the coffee is in the jug, the pour-over is removed and the drink is poured into cups. This method is basic, but nothing prevents you from experimenting with both coffees and grinds or brewing times.
Oriental coffee preparation method (in Turk)
Oriental coffee is one of the oldest preparation methods invented by the Arabs. To brew it, a cezva (Turk) is used – a copper or metal cone-shaped vessel with a method
Method
You can prepare a drink on fire or sand. For one serving, you need to take half a glass of water and freshly roasted coffee of the finest grinding in the amount of 7-10 grams. Any medium or dark roast is suitable for cooking, be it arabica, robusta or whatever you like.
The drink is prepared in this way:
- We put coffee in cezve and fill with cold water.
- We put the pot on a slow fire.
- As soon as the foam rises, remove the cezve from the heat.
Coffee is served in small cups and a glass of cold water is placed next to it. When cooking, it is important not to bring it to a boil, otherwise you risk getting a burnt drink. Oriental coffee should not be overused as it contains much more caffeine than other types of coffee drinks.
French press as an alternative cooking method
A French press is often used for brewing tea, but if you are looking for alternative ways to make coffee, try this one for coffee beans.
Invitation
The French, or piston, movement was invented in 1920 by Melior. The vessel is a narrow and tall glass vessel, inside which there is a piston with a stem. At the end of the piston there is a filter that allows you to clear the drink from sediment.
Method
For brewing in a French press, only coarse grinding is suitable, since when using a fine powder, the particles of the beans will float in the water. It is desirable that the coffee be lightly roasted – in this case, you will get an aromatic and soft drink. For 1 liter of water at a temperature of 98 ° C, about 60 grams of product is required.
To prepare this way, follow our instructions:
Remove the plunger cap from the French press.
Add coffee powder and water.
Close the lid and leave to infuse for about 4 minutes.
Press down on the plunger to lower the filter and squeeze out the coffee grounds.
Without removing the lid, pour the drink into the cups through a special spout on a French press.
Before preparing in this way, it is advisable to pour hot water over a glass flask so that the cooling of the drink is not too fast. It is necessary to drink ready-made coffee immediately after brewing, since a glass vessel cannot store heat for a long time.
Cooking in a geyser coffee maker
Moka, or geyser coffee maker, causes conflicting feelings among true fans of coffee drinks, as the water in it is boiled. Nevertheless, this method is widely used in many European countries, especially in Italy, where the device was invented in 1933.
The geyser coffee maker was invented by the Italian Luigi de Ponti by order of the Bialetti factory. Its design is based on three elements – a lower octagonal base for water, a funnel-shaped filter for coffee powder and an upper part for the finished drink. Cooking is done under pressure. When boiling, steam pushes hot water upward, it passes through the powder in a small fountain and settles in the upper vessel. The result is a tart drink that is highly caffeinated.
Method
To make healthy and tasty coffee using this method, you need to use a medium to fine grind, medium to dark roast. If you take a fine grind, the drink will turn out to be bitter; if you grind it coarsely, it will be weak and watery. For brewing, it is better to use espresso blends that will give you a clean and balanced taste.
Cooking is done in this way:
Pour cold water into the lower container to the required level. Please note that geyser coffee makers can only work when fully loaded.
- Place a coffee hopper on top and add a layer of coffee powder. For every 100 ml of water, 7 grams of product is required.
- Assemble the coffee maker and put it on low heat (or plug it in if it’s electric).
- Wait for the drink to brew (this will take 3-5 minutes on average).
- Wait for the drink to brew (this will take 3-5 minutes on average).
Prepared coffee is poured into pre-warmed cups, which allows you to maintain its taste and temperature.
Filtered coffee, or the method of brewing in a drip coffee maker
The first prototype of the drip coffee maker was the device of the French archbishop Jean de Belloy, invented back in 1800. Twenty years later, it was refined by the tinsmith Morise, and in the 1950s, consumers were able to use electric models of these devices. Today, drip coffee makers are the most common way to make coffee. With their help, you can get a soft drink with an average strength and a pronounced taste.
The most delicious coffee is obtained from coarse coffee powder (up to 0.6 mm). You should not use fine grinding, since this method of extraction is characterized by prolonged contact of the powder with water (it may taste bitter). For cooking, it is better to take plantation varieties with medium roasts. In this case, you will brew an “elite” drink, devoid of bitterness and excessive astringency.
To prepare, follow these steps:
- Pour cold water into the appliance.
- Add 10 tablespoons of coffee powder to 1 liter of water.
- Press the button to dispense water.
- The coffee maker will automatically shut off when all the water has flowed through the coffee.
- To prepare a truly delicious coffee drink, it is important to choose a drip coffee maker wisely.
How to prepare a drink in an espresso machine
When considering what other method to try for brewing at home, you should mention the espresso machine. In it, you can prepare a drink with a full and clear taste that does not contain bitterness. Suitable for extraction are fine espresso blends of medium to high roast. The whole cooking process looks like this:
- Grind the grains and place in a holder (dry cone). For 30 ml of water you need 7-8 grams of coffee.
- Press it in with tempera until you get a “coffee” tablet.
- Spill some water from the appliance by pressing the button, insert the holder into the coffee maker.
- Place a dry cup under the filter and plug in the spillage. On average, this cooking method takes 25-30 seconds.
Recipes for aromatic coffee are in the thousands, and their listing can take more than one page. But the 6 described methods are considered the best and allow gourmets to fully enjoy the delicious drink. Don’t forget to experiment – a pinch of salt or spices can give your coffee a truly unique flavor.
