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Coffee Brewing Methods

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Coffee Brewing Methods: ◎ Paper Filter Brewing The Easiest Brewing Method ---- 【Characteristics】 The simplest coffee brewing method. Filter paper can be discarded immediately after single use, making it more hygienic and easy to clean up. Additionally, the amount of hot water and pouring method can be adjusted. Single servings can also be brewed, making this the ideal brewing method for small groups. The key points of brewing coffee are similar to the cloth filter brewing method,

Coffee Brewing Methods:

◎ Paper Filter Brewing - The Easiest Brewing Method ----

【Characteristics】

The simplest coffee brewing method. Filter paper can be discarded immediately after one use, making it hygienic and easy to clean up. Additionally, the amount of water and pouring method can be adjusted. It can brew single servings, making it the ideal brewing method for small groups. The key points of brewing coffee are similar to the cloth filter method - choose coffee beans with longer roasting times, grind them into powder, and extract the components from the coffee within five minutes. If you prefer a milder tasting coffee, you can slightly increase the amount of coffee beans, but grind them coarser and shorten the brewing time. Filter paper must be used with a filter, which is usually made of plastic, though ceramic ones are also available. However, to maintain the temperature of the boiling water, plastic is better as it's less conductive than ceramic. Filters and filter paper can be selected in different sizes according to the amount of coffee being brewed.

【About Equipment】

Drippers come in two-hole and three-hole varieties. Here we use the three-hole type, which costs about two to three hundred yuan. Then you need filter paper, which is available in supermarkets for just tens of yuan. The spout of the kettle for pouring boiling water should preferably be narrow and pointed so that water can be poured vertically onto the coffee powder, which is more appropriate.

【Key Points for Brewing】

● About 10-12 grams of coffee powder per person with 120cc of boiling water.

● For those who prefer mild coffee, about 8 grams per person is sufficient for brewing.

● For those who prefer strong, bitter coffee, use about 12 grams per person, fully steam before slowly pouring in boiling water.

● When using a pouring kettle, filling it to about 70-80% capacity makes it easier to operate, and the amount of water should be prepared according to the number of people. You can measure with a beaker while dripping the required amount of coffee liquid for the number of people.

● Don't let the filtered extract drip to the very last drop; stop while there's still some liquid remaining (if it all drips through, there might be off-flavors or impurities).

● Warm the beaker without letting it boil, then pour into the coffee cup.

● Like the Syphon method, technique is very important in this method. Initially, the coffee you brew might have a strong acidic taste. Besides poor water flow control, reasons include the quality of the coffee itself (freshness, etc.) and the coarseness of the grind.

【Brewing Method】

1. Fold the filter paper along the seam line and place it in the dripper.

2. Use a measuring spoon to pour medium-ground coffee powder for the number of people (about 10-12g per person) into the dripper, then tap gently to make the surface flat.

3. After boiling water in a tea kettle, pour it into a narrow-spouted kettle. Starting from the center, gently and steadily pour boiling water (temperature about 95°C) in a slow spiral motion until the water penetrates and covers all the coffee powder. Be sure to pour slowly.

4. To extract the delicious components, let the expanded coffee powder steam for a while (about 20 seconds).

5. For the second pour of water, slowly pour from the surface of the coffee powder. The amount of water poured must match the amount of coffee extract being dripped, keeping the water level in the filter paper constant.

6. Stop when the extract reaches the desired amount for the number of people, and discard while there's still water remaining in the filter paper.

◎ Flannel Filter Brewing - Unleashing Coffee's Ultimate Flavor ----

【Characteristics】

Coffee brewed with a flannel filter is mellow and delicious, very ideal. The advantage of using a flannel filter is that you don't need to stir the coffee in the bag to make all the coffee contact the boiling water. The coffee expands, forms foam, and gradually filters down. The key is determining the amount of coffee powder, which then determines the amount of boiling water needed. When brewing, control the time the boiling water stays in the filter to about five minutes, adding water slowly and carefully. Through the filter, all coffee components will be completely extracted. The cleaning and storage of cloth filters require special attention, otherwise the coffee flavor will deteriorate.

【Preparation Before Brewing】

● The coffee powder will expand after water is added, so choose a slightly larger filter.

● Use the fuzzy side of the filter as the outside, thoroughly squeeze out water, straighten the wrinkles before use.

【About Flannel Filter Storage】

When using a new flannel filter, to remove any paste or flavors remaining on the cloth, you can scrub with water and a brush (do not use soap or soap powder at this time, as flavors cannot be removed), then boil with used coffee powder and water for five minutes, then wash with water.

【Flannel Filter Storage Method】

After use, wash the filter cloth thoroughly with water. To prevent oxidation, store it in water in the refrigerator. You must change the water daily, otherwise scale will form and cause the cloth pores to clog. When using, rinse with warm water, then thoroughly squeeze dry before use.

【Brewing Method】

1. With the cloth pores facing inward, put about 10-12g of coffee powder per person into the filter cloth. Then level the coffee powder.

2. For light roast coffee, water temperature should be about 95°C, while for dark roast it should be lower. Initially pour in a thin stream, controlling the water flow while pouring in circular motions. After the coffee powder foams, let it steam for about 20 seconds during this "pause" period. For subsequent pours, pour equal amounts of boiling water in a vortex pattern, from center to outside and back to center.

3. Don't let all the water drip through completely - stop when you've poured the right amount for the number of people, and remove while there's still water remaining in the filter cloth.

4. When extraction is complete and the coffee liquid has cooled, warm it without letting it boil. Shake gently before pouring into cups.

◎ Cold Drip Coffee Maker - Take Time to Enjoy the Pleasure of Brewing Coffee ----

【Characteristics】

A method that uses cold water and takes time to extract. Prepare it the night before and you can enjoy fragrant morning coffee the next day. When drinking hot coffee, be careful not to let it boil.

【Preparation Before Brewing】

To maintain a constant dripping speed during extraction, loosen the stopcock part. It's better to use dark roast, finely ground coffee beans.

【Brewing Method】

1. Put the calculated amount of coffee powder for the number of people into the dripper and press gently, then add a small amount of water to wet everything.

2. Place the dripper on the beaker, and pour the amount of water needed for the number of people into the upper tank (about 300-350cc for three people).

3. Cover with the lid. With this equipment, it takes about 3-4 hours to make coffee.

4. When you want to drink coffee, remove the lid, tank, and dripper, pour into the beaker and heat without letting it boil, then pour into cups.

◎ Steam Pressure Coffee Maker - Italian Style ----

【Characteristics】

The characteristic of a steam pressure coffee maker is using steam pressure to instantly extract coffee liquid. Strong, bitter steam coffee is the foundation of various coffee types and has become more popular over the years.

【Preparation Before Brewing】

● To improve extraction, press the coffee powder in the basket firmly, and ensure the upper kettle's steam doesn't leak - cover it properly.

● Use according to the number of people. You must use equipment with larger capacity than the number of people. If the steam pressure is weak, the extracted coffee will be less tasty.

【Brewing Method】

1. Pour the required amount of boiling water for the number of people into the lower chamber, then put the basket with dark roast, finely ground coffee - about 6-8 grams per person - and press gently from above.

2. Combine the upper kettle and basket with the lower kettle. Be sure to fasten the upper kettle tightly.

3. After assembling the equipment, when the water in the lower kettle boils, the water tube will rise. Once it's empty, remove from heat (hot water will spray up through the coffee powder into the upper kettle, extracting the coffee liquid).

4. The equipment is very hot, so be careful not to get burned, then pour into pre-warmed cups.

◎ Ibrik - Traditional Turkish Coffee ----

【Characteristics】

Turkish coffee flow, elegantly called Ibrik - a long-handled coffee utensil.

【Key Points for Extraction】

● Brew three times, removing from heat before boiling, adding a small amount of water each time.

【Brewing Method】

1. Prepare dark roast coffee beans (about 5 grams per person) and grind them into powder in a mortar (or grinder).

2. Add the appropriate amount of boiling water to the coffee powder for the number of people needed. Add spices at this time as well.

3. Then turn on low heat. When foam forms and just before boiling, remove from heat, add a little water. After the boiling stops, return to heat. Repeat this process three times.

4. When the coffee powder in the ibrik settles, carefully pour into cups.

◎ Siphon Coffee Brewer - Enjoy the Atmosphere ----

【Characteristics】

The main principle utilizes the ideal gas equation PV=nRT. With fixed volume, heating creates steam pressure from boiling water, forcing the boiling water through a glass tube into the upper chamber to brew coffee. Then cooling creates a vacuum-like state in the lower chamber to draw down the brewed coffee from above, filtering grounds with filter paper in the middle. Unlike regular filters, this siphon coffee brewer's key point is that to make coffee and boiling water completely combine, you must use a bamboo spoon to stir the coffee powder in the boiling water. You can enjoy watching the extraction process while savoring coffee - this is the charm of the siphon. It can also serve as a decoration. However, it's slightly more complex to operate compared to drip brewing.

【About Equipment】

Management is somewhat troublesome, but you'll get used to it. Being glassware, be careful not to break it. After use, the filter spout must be cleaned thoroughly and soaked in clean water. Then store in the refrigerator.

【Preparation Before Brewing】

● After the water in the bottom chamber is completely boiling, insert the upper chamber. Inserting too early won't allow proper coffee extraction.

● Stir the boiling water and coffee powder appropriately within a short time. Taking too much time will make the coffee cloudy and cause loss of aroma.

【Brewing Method】

Add hot water to coffee cups, and put a bit more than N cups of hot water in the lower pot.

1. First heat the lower pot until boiling.

2. Then insert the upper pot (water will start rising at this point).

3. When water stops rising, move away from heat and stir the upper pot to evenly infuse the coffee powder in water.

4. Stir about five times, move back to heat, and start timing.

5. After about 30 seconds, move away from heat, stir about five times again, then move back to heat (timing continues).

6. When total time reaches about one minute (stop timing), move away from heat, wipe the lower pot with a damp cloth (water will immediately descend).

7. Wait for water to completely descend, remove upper pot, then move lower pot back to heat.

8. When you hear three bubble sounds, move away from heat and turn off flame.

9. Empty the originally hot water from cups, pour coffee until 80% full.

10. Add seasonings according to personal preference.

PS: Blue Mountain total time is about 50 seconds, others about one minute. If over one and a half minutes, there will be bitter, burnt taste.

The more you stir, the stronger and more acidic it becomes. One stir takes about one second.

PS: Step six is to force water away from coffee powder, preventing over-extraction and off-flavors.

PS: For those who want to save effort, step eight can be skipped.

◎ Electric Coffee Maker Brewing - Simple Brewing ----

【Characteristics】

After assembling all components such as filter paper and filter cups, the electric coffee maker will automatically brew the coffee. The secret to brewing good coffee lies in time control - maintaining 83°C during the three-minute brewing period, with slightly lower temperatures for the remaining time. As long as you follow each product's instructions, you'll achieve good results. However, note that when using an electric coffee maker, coffee beans should not be ground too finely, as very fine coffee powder can clog the filter gaps and cause the coffee flavor to deteriorate.

◎ Percolator Coffee Maker Brewing - Easy Brewing ----

【Characteristics】

When brewing coffee with filter or steam methods, coffee powder and boiling water contact only once. However, with percolator coffee makers, boiling water can contact the coffee powder multiple times, creating a more aromatic coffee flavor. When using a percolator, first place a metal filter cup in the pot, then pour boiling water into the pot, and pour coffee powder into the filter cup. Heat the bottom of the pot. When the boiling water in the pot rises through the only exit metal tube, because the top is covered with a lid, the coffee liquid in the filter cup will descend and circulate for brewing.

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