If there’s one thing about caffeine fiends and coffee connoisseurs, it’s that they love to flex their creative genius. Perhaps it’s a stimulant-fueled fever dream or inspiration from the coffee gods themselves—either way, the brilliance of baristas and fellow coffee enthusiasts manifests itself in a variety of extraction methods.
In short, there are a lot of ways to make coffee.
If you’ve ever been curious about the various methods of making coffee, you’ve come to the right place. At Chelsea Coffee, we consider ourselves to be coffee experts, and that includes knowing a thing or two about how to craft the perfect brew.
The Best Methods for Making Coffee
There are about 10 million ways to make coffee. While the actual number may be slightly lower than that, the truth is there are far too many methods to mention in this single post. So, we’re going to focus on the most popular methods and a handful of our favorites.
Read on for a beginner’s guide to everything you need to know about the best ways to make coffee. Then, get out there and try some of the new brews you’ve learned about!
Drip Coffee
Ah, drip coffee. It’s old faithful; it’s classic; it’s reliable. This is the coffee most of us grew up around. Our parents drank it, and so did their parents. Not only do your standard drip coffee makers churn out some delicious bean juice, but they also are impossibly convenient. Press a button or set a timer, and boom, you’ve got coffee!
This method of coffee making is still the standard at many coffee shops, diners, and so forth. Chelsea Coffee is no exception, serving up delicious Sweetwater Coffee Co. drip coffee on the regular. Simply add your fine grounds (from freshly-roasted organic coffee beans), your water, and you’re good to go. A typical ratio of water to grounds is 16-1, but you should experiment to find what works best for you!
French Press
For a more experiential brewing process, many people turn to the French press. This method is a bit more hands-on, especially if you grind your own beans (which we recommend for superior freshness). Unlike drip coffee, which allows water to filter through the grounds, the French press involves pouring hot water directly onto the grounds letting them soak before separating the grounds from the water (which is now coffee).
A coarser grind is key here, as is using water that isn’t quite boiling. Mix your water and grounds in the carafe (a fancy word for the container in which the two meld), wait for a few minutes (four should be good), then depress the plunger to isolate the grounds and pour your coffee into your drinking vessel. The result is a rich, full-bodied coffee that is bursting with flavor.
Espresso
Our personal favorite (and who can blame us?), pulling espresso shots is the basis of many modern coffee shops. This form of coffee is exceptionally strong and is used in a myriad of espresso-based drinks that range from lattes to Americanos. Whether you’re an aficionado or rarely visit coffee shops, there’s a good chance you’ve been exposed to some form of espresso drink—they’re just that popular.
While there’s quite a science to perfecting the art of espresso, the basics of the method include the following.
· Start with finely-ground beans
· Tamp the grounds to compact them
· Use an espresso machine to force hot water through the beans
Espresso may be popular, but it is difficult to master. The variables are many, and even when the steps are repeated in an identical manner, the outcome can be vastly different between shots. Don’t be discouraged when trying to learn this brew method—it takes time, trial and error, and adaptability to become an espresso maestro. The reward is worth the investment!
Cold Brew
In Florida, cold brew isn’t just a fun way to make tasty coffee; it’s a paradisical escape from the overbearing summer heat and a way of transporting yourself to some blissful place where the caffeine runs delicious and cold. Thankfully, it’s something you can make and enjoy yourself on the off chance you can’t make it to your favorite local coffee shop (Chelsea Coffee, of course).
If you’re craving that smooth-drinking, pause-for-a-moment-and-say-ahhhh experience, you’ll need to set aside a bit of time. Traditional cold brew takes approximately a full day to make properly, as the grounds have to soak in room temperature or colder water for at least 16 hours.
The good news (other than that first sip that makes the wait feel totally worth it) is that this method makes a coffee concentrate. In other words, you’ll mix the cold brew with water to give it the desired strength. The concentrate you’ve made will last much longer than a typical brew—if you can pace yourself, that is!
Chelsea Coffee – Your Favorite Coffee Brews Made Locally
Whether you’re searching for your favorite coffee perfected or want to try an alternative method that may tickle your fancy, Chelsea Coffee has you covered. We dabble in all sorts of coffee brewing and specialty drinks. With options enough to set your head spinning, you’ll love our drink menu as a seasoned coffee pro or a newcomer taking your first sips of pure bliss.
Chelsea Coffee has been slinging espresso and brewing delicious drip for over a decade. As Marion County’s top local coffeehouse, we’re happy to welcome you to our quirky little family. Feel free to stop by our Ocala coffee shop any time for a drink, a homemade pastry, or a filling soup or sandwich. We’d love to be part of your coffee journey, no matter what type of brew you choose!
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