There are different ways to make coffee at home, you may feel a bit overwhelmed and you may not know the method to use. You may also have been using just one brew method, unless you try some of these methods, how do you know what you are missing or the brewing style you prefer.

We have provided a guide that will walk you through every method of brewing coffee. We are here to make it simpler for you. Hopefully, you get excited to brew coffee in different ways. 

Before you start, make sure you are brewing with quality coffee beans.  

Brewing with pressure 

Using pressure to brew, is a popular way to get an intense cup of coffee. It is mostly used to make espresso coffee, a drink many people love. However, there are more ways to make coffee using pressure. Let's take a look at them. 

Espresso machine 

The espresso machine is for a coffee lover that wants a super strong shot of coffee. It is one quick way to brew. In this method, pressurized water is pushed through fine coffee grounds, then through a filter, and into your cup. 

There are different espresso machines. You can buy an espresso machine that has a lever that requires you to push the water through by hand or you can buy one that does all the work for you. 

How to brew with an espresso machine 

1. Fill the reservoir with water, use filtered water to brew better coffee. 
2. Turn on the machine. 
3. Measure out your freshly roasted coffee and grind them. For a regular espresso, use 1.2 ratio
4. Put the grounds in the filter. 
5. Compress the coffee grounds into the filter so they are compact. 
6. Lock your filter into the machine properly. 
7. Put your cup under the faucet to get the coffee as it pours. 
8. Press the shot button and allow the machine to brew. 

Type of grind you need: For espresso, you need a fine consistent grind. Let's give you a trick, pinch your grind and observe what happens, if it is fine, it should clump in your fingertips. 

Brew time: The brew time depends on your machine. A home machine may take only 3 minutes while a commercial machine may take 15-40 minutes. Once the coffee is all warm, you don't have to wait longer than 30 seconds before your shot is ready for drinking. 

Brew results: When brewed right, a shot of espresso is sharp and full of flavour. You can add milk to make it a milk-based coffee. 

Read more: Coffee brewing mistakes- How to fix them

Mokapot/stovetop espresso 

It is a stovetop version of an espresso machine. The Moka pot has a 3 chambered brew process. This is how it works- water in the bottom chamber boils, then the steam causes pressure that pushes up through the coffee grounds into the top chamber. One great thing about a Moka pot is that you can brew multiple cups of coffee (14 to 16) at once. Also, the machine is portable- you can get mini pots that are perfect for traveling. 

How to brew with a Moka pot

• Separate the Moka pot into 3 chambers. 
• Measure and grind the quantity of coffee you want, use a coarse grind. 
• Fill the last chamber of the Moka pot with cold water. Make sure you don't fill the water past the safety valve.
• Put the coffee into the filter basket. 
• Put the Moka pot back together. 
• Place the Moka pot on the stove and allow it to heat until the water starts boiling. 
• Once you hear a gurgling sound, take the pot off the stove. The gurgling sound you hear is the sound of the coffee being forced into the top chamber of the Moka pot.  

Brew time: It is fast- you don't have to wait so long for that shot of coffee you need. Once you've heated the water, it won't take more than 5 minutes before the brew is ready. 

Brew results: Expect a sharp and strong-tasting coffee. It is not quite an espresso but it's close to it.

Aeropress 

A lot of people say that an Aeropress is a fast and simple machine that generates quality coffee. When you buy an Aeropress, you get a simple 3 piece that allows you to make coffee with little effort. 

How to brew with an Aeropress 

1. Measure out your coffee depending on how strong you want the coffee to be and grind. 
2. Boil some water. 
3. Insert a filter into the filter cap. 
4. Pour some of the hot water to secure the filter to the cap. Be careful while doing this, do you don't burn yourself. 
5. Put the Aeropress back together. 
6. Add your grounds to the Aeropress, pour water over the coffee grounds. 
7. Stir the coffee a few times after a minute. 
8. Then fasten the filter cap on the Aeropress properly. 
9. Turn the Aeropress over your coffee cup and apply pressure, it will force your brew through the filter. Enjoy! 

Type of grind you need: This is the cool part about using an Aeropress. The grind size doesn't matter. You'll get a different result based on the grind size you use. It depends on what you are in the mood for. 

Brew time: Once your water is hot, it's possible to brew your coffee in a minute. Easy right? 

Brew results: An Aeropress gives a "clean-tasting" coffee. In other words, it comes out smooth, pure, rich, and fast.

Immersion brewed coffee 

Immersion brew or steeped coffee is a brewing method in which coffee grounds are mixed directly into water and allowed to sit for minutes so that the flavours are extracted.  One of the most common ways to steep coffee is using the French press but we'll also cover soft brew and siphon pots. 

French press 

This brewing method doesn't take time. The French press is made up of a base that keeps it elevated above the surface of your counter. It has a handle you can hold while you pour out your coffee to prevent burns. It also has a plunger on the top which can move up and down to control the filter underneath. A French press is also used to make cold brew coffee. 

Read more: Cold brew coffee- everything you need to know 

How to brew with a French press 

• Heat your water (90 to 96 degrees) 
• Measure out the desired amount of coffee grounds you need. 
• Add the grounds to the bottom of the French press. Shake it a bit so it can even out. 
• Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds and stir for about 5 to 10 seconds to get it well mixed. 
• Place the lid on the French press and leave the filter pulled up above the coffee. 
• Allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes. 
• Press on the plunger to lower the filter to the bottom to separate the grounds from the brew. 
• Pour your coffee into a cup and enjoy! 

Type of grind you need: Use a coarse grind. If you use a grind that is too fine, you'll have particles stuck in the filter and it may enter your brewed liquid and turn out bitter. 

Brew time: If you go through the freshly ground route; from boiling to steeping and plunging, you'll need about 10 minutes or more. 

Brew results: It comes out unique, full of flavour with no harsh aroma. However, you shouldn't drink the coffee to the last sip, it might likely have a bit of silt at the bottom. 

Soft brew 

It is like a French press but easier. It is made up of a ceramic body and a filter to put the grounds. The beauty of this machine is that it has tiny holes, meaning you can use ANY size of grounds. 

How to use a soft brew 

1. Fill the filter with coffee grounds according to your taste. 
2. Pour hot water over the filter and into the soft brew pot, ensure all grounds are completely covered. 
3. Allow the coffee to brew for 5 to 8 minutes. 
4. Pour the coffee into a mug, add any cream or spice you like, and enjoy! 

Type of grind you need:  Any grind goes- use anyone you like, keep experimenting. 

Brew time:  It could take 6-10 minutes from the time you heat your water plus the steeping time. 

Brew results: The brew results in a rich, deep, flavour that can be enhanced by using fine grinds of coffee. 

Siphon pot

Also known as a vacuum pot. It combines immersion brewing with a siphon that gives you a rich cup of coffee. However, it is not a simple way to brew coffee. It takes more time and an enormous amount of effort. It is not something you would want to use daily unless you are determined to have the taste it provides. 

How to brew with a siphon pot 

• Pull the chain on the filter to sink it then attach the clip to the bottom of the funnel, this will keep it in place. 
• Fill the globe with preheated (use filtered water for the best results). 
• Use a butane burner beneath the globe to apply heat. 
• Put the funnel in the globe loosely, in a way that it will sit at the angle while waiting for the water to boil. 
• Measure out your coffee (usually 6 tablespoons) and grind to a medium coarseness. 
• When the water is boiling, fasten the funnel securely to the globe
• Once you put the water, swirl a utensil in the water to create a whirlpool, add the grounds directly to the water. 
• Adjust your heat to a lower setting. 
• Stir the coffee after 40 seconds  After 1:30 minutes, turn off the heat and give the coffee a big stir. 
• After 3 minutes the coffee should be completely drawn down onto the globe. 
• Remove the globe and pour your coffee into your mug. 

Type of grind you need: Use a medium/coarse ground, similar to that of a Chemex brew (we'll get to this soon). 

Brew time: It might take you 6-10 minutes or longer to brew, given all the components and steps required. 

Brew results: You'll have a clean cup of coffee, full of flavour when you follow this process correctly. 

Pour over coffee 

This coffee is made by pouring water over your coffee grounds and allowing it to drip through into your cup. It is a popular brewing method. In this method, your coffee grounds are always in a filter. It keeps the grounds in place while the coffee flows through. Note that coffee made from drip brew is much lighter in the body than other methods because water soaks through the coffee ground rather than mix with it. This method is mostly done with a Chemex. 

Chemex 

A Chemex is a glass coffee maker that uses a paper filter. A Chemex makes a good amount of coffee in every batch, you can even make up to 3 to 10 cups depending on the kind of Chemex you buy. 

How to brew with a Chemex 

1. Heat your water to around 90 to 96 degrees. 
2. Open the special Chemex filter and put it on the coffee maker. Make sure the 3 layered side of the filter is on the side of the pouring spout. 
3. Pour some water around the filter to help it stay inside the coffee maker. 
4. Grind the coffee beans you want to use. 
5. Pour the coffee grounds into the filter and shake do it so settles properly. 
6. Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds in a spiral pattern.
7. Allow the water to drain through the filter, pour your coffee from your Chemex to the mug and enjoy! 

Type of grind you need: Medium to coarse is ideal, experiment! To know the one you prefer.

Brew time: It takes about 3 to 4 minutes to make coffee using a Chemex brewer. There would be additional time added to heating the water and grinding the beans. Asides from this, it's still a fast brewing method 

Brew results: You will have a tasty cup of coffee similar to what you can achieve with a French press but without the silt left at the bottom.

From all you have read, there are different interesting ways to make coffee. You can figure out which one works best for you. 

Buy freshly roasted coffee beans and brew your delicious cup.