Brewing Guides

Great coffee starts with great beans, but the brewing method you choose shapes the final cup just as much. Each technique brings out different characteristics: body, clarity, sweetness, acidity. There is no single best way to make coffee. There is only the way that suits your taste and your morning.

We have put together detailed guides for the most popular brewing methods. Each one includes our recommended ratios, grind sizes, water temperatures, and step-by-step instructions.

Our Guides

• French Press, Full immersion brewing that produces a rich, heavy body with all the oils intact. Great for dark and medium roasts. Forgiving and consistent. Read our guide: The French Press Is Underrated.
• Pour-Over, Clean, bright cups with high clarity. Ideal for showcasing single-origin coffees with delicate acidity. Requires a bit more attention to technique. Read our guide: Your Water Is Ruining Your Coffee for tips that apply to all pour-over methods.
• Cold Brew, Smooth, low-acid, and naturally sweet. Perfect for summer or for anyone who finds hot coffee too intense. Easy to batch-prepare. Read our guide: Cold Brew Done Right.
• Espresso, Concentrated, intense, and endlessly adjustable. The foundation of lattes, cappuccinos, and cortados. Demands the most precision. Read our guide: Dialing In Espresso at Home.

New to specialty coffee? Start with the French press. It is the most forgiving method and produces great results with minimal equipment. As you develop your palate, try pour-over or espresso to explore how different variables change the cup.

Have a question about a brewing method we have not covered? Email us at [email protected] and we will help you out.