| For most of us, brewing up our morning cup of | | | | back down into the lower chamber leaving the used |
| coffee is more than just a necessity, it is a matter | | | | coffee grinds behind in the upper chamber. Ideally, |
| of convenience. Each night, millions of us coffee | | | | the upper chamber is removed and the lower |
| lovers pile heaping tablespoons of our favorite | | | | chamber is used as a decanter for the finished |
| gourmet coffees into those paper filters, fill the tank | | | | coffee. |
| of our coffee makers with water and set the timer | | | | Vacuum brewers can be electric, stovetop, or even |
| so that our coffee is ready and waiting first thing in | | | | used over a sterno can for dramatic tabletop |
| the morning. | | | | brewing! |
| But why would anyone spend good money on the | | | | The Toddy Maker |
| finest gourmet coffee beans or fresh ground | | | | The toddy maker or Cold-Brew Coffee Maker uses |
| gourmet coffees and use just any home coffee | | | | an unusual cold-brewing method that creates a |
| maker. | | | | coffee concentrate. This concentrate is then mixed |
| So if you are like me and you enjoy the finest | | | | with hot water to make coffee. The concentrate can |
| gourmet and specialty coffees available, then you | | | | be stored in a refrigerator and used to make one |
| must also believe that they deserve the best and | | | | cup at a time if you so desire. This method produces |
| most reliable coffee brewing equipment available. | | | | a low-acid coffee, which is doctor recommended for |
| Here is a quick list of the most popular coffee | | | | coffee drinkers with stomach conditions. |
| brewing methods & equipment starting from the | | | | Although this method of coffee brewing is sounds a |
| best: | | | | bit odd, the result in taste is pleasantly surprising. One |
| French Press | | | | drawback is the amount of time it takes to brew. A |
| The French press coffee maker (or press pot) is | | | | good idea is to brew the coffee overnight. Once |
| universally recognized as the best brewing method, | | | | brewed, the concentrate can produce more than just |
| allowing for the truest coffee taste and aroma. This | | | | one pot of coffee, so it's not a nightly event for a |
| method actually brews the coffee in the hot water | | | | great cup of morning coffee! |
| (as opposed to drip machines which only pass the | | | | Drip Grind Coffee Makers |
| water through the coffee and a filter). After a few | | | | Drip Grind coffee makers are the most common and |
| minutes of brewing, a metal filter is pressed through | | | | usual coffee brewing method that we are familiar |
| the brew catching the coffee grinds and then | | | | with. |
| trapping them at the bottom of the carafe. What is | | | | In this method, water is dripped over and passes |
| left over is full-bodied coffee with all its aroma and | | | | through the coffee grinds and a filter and is caught |
| essences. | | | | by the coffee pot below. Despite being the most |
| One of the main advantages to using a French press, | | | | common brew method it also happens to be the one |
| other than great coffee taste, is the amount of | | | | which produces a coffee brew with the least amount |
| control you have. You can control the water | | | | of flavor and aroma. |
| temperature (which incidentally should be around 190 | | | | There are generally 2 filter options for the drip grind |
| to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that drip | | | | coffee makers. |
| makers do not achieve), you can control the amount | | | | Permanent filters: are just what they say, permanent. |
| of coffee you want to add, and you can control the | | | | They are usually gold-plated so they don't add any |
| brew time. Four minutes of brew time and 30 | | | | unwanted metallic taste to your coffee, resistant to |
| seconds of "plunging" time is considered best. | | | | corrosion so they are dishwasher safe and |
| Another great feature about the French press is that | | | | economical because they don't need replacing. |
| it is extremely portable and only requires hot water. | | | | Permanent filters are preferred because they allow |
| You can take it camping or use it in places with | | | | for better coffee taste as opposed to the second |
| limited kitchen space, like a boat or an RV. Some | | | | filter option, paper filters. |
| press pots can also be used to brew loose leaf teas | | | | Paper filters are the most common filter choice for |
| in the same manner. | | | | the drip grind coffee makers. Unfortunately, paper |
| As an aside, you shouldn't leave your brewed coffee | | | | filters can filter out more than just coffee grinds. |
| in the press-pot with the grounds after you brew it! | | | | Flavorful oils can be left behind in the filter and not |
| Either consume it or transfer it to a carafe, | | | | make it to the finished coffee brew resulting in less |
| preferably a thermal carafe. | | | | coffee flavor and aroma. Since permanent filters |
| Vacuum Brewer | | | | allow for more liquid to pass through, the end result is |
| Vacuum brewers aren't very common, but they | | | | a more flavorful cup. |
| make coffee just about as well as a French press | | | | As you can see, the most common brew method |
| since the coffee and water are brewing together. A | | | | happens to be the one which produces the least |
| vacuum brewer has an upper and a lower chamber | | | | amount of coffee flavor and aroma. Since, mornings |
| connected by a tube with a small filter inside. Coffee | | | | usually need to be made quick and simple, most |
| grounds are placed in the upper chamber, and water | | | | people have never had their coffee brewed any |
| is placed in the lower chamber. As the lower chamber | | | | other way. If you are one of these people, don't just |
| is heated, the water rises up to meet the coffee in | | | | splurge on gourmet coffee's, get a small French press |
| the upper chamber where the brewing begins. After | | | | maker, start experimenting and experience the truest |
| brewing, the water (now coffee) cools and seeps | | | | coffee flavor & aroma in each cup. |
