Aeropress, Chemex, or French press: Which brewing method is right for you?
Aeropress or Chemex? French press, Kinto, or just good old filter coffee? The way you brew coffee affects the flavor much more than you might think. The same coffee can taste mild and sweet with one brewing method and bold and full-bodied with another. And we haven’t even mentioned the time of day you drink it. Because on Monday morning, you might just want something good in your mug as quickly as possible, while on Sunday morning, you might want to spend a few minutes watching the coffee drip slowly. By finding the brewing method that works best for you, you can really make some exceptionally delicious coffee. Even first thing in the morning!
filter coffee
Slow coffee, drip coffee, pour-over coffee, or as Max calls it: nice and slow. “Slow” because the water is given plenty of time to trickle through the ground coffee. The paper filter traps most of the oils, resulting in a smooth, clear coffee that lets you really taste the coffee’s various flavors.
Because the water is in contact with the coffee longer than with espresso, a cup of filter coffee usually contains more caffeine. Perfect for large mugs, long breakfasts, days working from home, and meetings where you know in advance that one cup of coffee won’t be enough.
What is the difference between filter coffee and espresso?
They may start with the same coffee bean, but they end up quite different in your cup. With filter coffee, more water slowly passes through the ground coffee. This results in a milder, cleaner flavor and significantly more caffeine per cup. Espresso, on the other hand, is brewed under high pressure with very little water, resulting in a strong and intense flavor.
Chemex
The Chemex is perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to brew filter coffee. And yes, we say that partly because it looks so great on your countertop.
You pour hot water by hand over the ground coffee, after which the coffee slowly drips through a thick paper filter. That filter traps many oils and fine coffee particles, resulting in a clear cup of coffee. As a result, the coffee brews more slowly, preserving sweet and fruity flavor notes that are lost when using a standard filter coffee maker.
The Chemex requires a little more attention than just pressing a button. This makes it a great brewing method for quiet mornings, leisurely breakfasts, and anyone who wants to turn the act of making coffee into a little moment of their own.
caFETIÈRE
The cafetière, also known as a French press, is perfect for you if you enjoy a full-bodied cup of coffee without having to go through a complicated morning routine.
Put coarsely ground coffee into the cafetière, pour hot water over it, and let the coffee steep for about four minutes. Then gently press the filter down. Because the coffee remains in contact with the water for a long time and no paper filter is used, the coffee’s natural oils are preserved. The result is a rich coffee with a full body, high caffeine content, and an earthy flavor.
And the best part about this brewing method? You don't have to do a thing during those four minutes. Except maybe think about what you'll put in your coffee.
AEROPRESS (max's FAVORITE)
The Aeropress is Max’s favorite, and for good reason. With this simple little device, you can brew a smooth, full-bodied coffee with little bitterness in just a few minutes. The Aeropress works using air pressure: you push the water through the ground coffee and the filter. This allows you to extract a lot of flavor from your coffee relatively quickly. Plus, you can really experiment with it. Grind the beans a bit finer, let it steep a little longer, or add more water—with small adjustments, your coffee will taste different every time.
The classic brewing method is especially great for making coffee on the go or on a rushed morning without all the fuss (scales, etc.). It’s compact enough to take with you, but as far as we’re concerned, it can also have a permanent spot in your kitchen.
HOW DO YOU MAKE COFFEE WITH AN AEROPRESS?
- Start with your coffee. Put finely ground coffee into the Aeropress and place it firmly on top of your favorite mug—preferably one that automatically makes your morning a little better.
- Pour in the water. Use hot water at about 90°C and make sure all the coffee is thoroughly moistened. Stir gently for a moment and let the coffee steep for about a minute.
- And then: just press down. Place the plunger on the Aeropress and push it down slowly and evenly. In just a few minutes, you'll have a smooth, full-bodied coffee with very little bitterness.
KINTO
With the Kinto, you brew coffee using the pour-over method: you gently pour the hot water over the ground coffee yourself and let it drip through slowly. This makes brewing coffee with the Kinto feel a little more like a ritual. You decide how fast to pour and how long to let the coffee steep. The result is a smooth, clean coffee that beautifully highlights its sweet and fruity flavors.
A great brewing method for anyone who likes to pay a little more attention to their coffee. Because sometimes, taking a few minutes to savor it is exactly what you need.
Which coffee beans are right for your occasion and brewing method?
You can have the most beautiful Chemex on your counter, but in the end, good coffee simply starts with good coffee. And the right grind. For a French press or kinto, your coffee can be ground quite coarsely; for a Chemex, a little finer; and with an AeroPress, you have a lot of flexibility: finer for a bold cup, slightly coarser for a milder coffee.
And then there are the beans themselves. Some coffees taste delicious as espresso, while others really reveal their fruity, sweet notes when brewed using a slow filter method. That’s why we’ve given our coffees not only their own unique flavor, but also their own special moment.
Discover the Anne&Max coffee line and create your own moment of happiness at home.