Coffee brewing

Ways of making coffee

Different brewers use different combinations of pressure, immersion, percolation, filtration, grind size and contact time. No single method is objectively best for every drinker or recipe.

Image placeholder: coffee brewing methodsSuggested image: a visual lineup of espresso, pour-over, French press and AeroPress.

At a glance

MethodStyleTypical grindFilterBody / sedimentEquipment
EspressoPressureFineBasketFull / very low sedimentHigh
Filter / pour-overPercolationMedium to medium-fineOften paperClean / very low sedimentLow–medium
French pressImmersionCoarseMetal meshFull / more sedimentLow
AeroPressImmersion + pressureVariablePaper or metalVariable / generally lowLow
Moka potStovetop pressure-assistedFine–medium-fineMetalFull / lowLow
Cold brewImmersionCoarse is commonVariesFull / variableLow

Explore individual methods

Espresso

Pressure brewing, the puck, dose, yield, extraction and crema.

Read espresso →

Filter coffee

Paper filtration, percolation and pour-over brewing.

Read filter coffee →

French press

Immersion brewing with a metal mesh filter.

Read French press →

AeroPress

A compact brewer with highly variable recipes.

Read AeroPress →

Moka pot

Stovetop brewing with pressure generated by heated water and steam.

Read moka pot →

Cold brew

Long-contact brewing using cool or room-temperature water.

Read cold brew →