The taste and aroma qualities of a coffee drink depend primarily on the type of beans chosen. Also, these characteristics are influenced by what the coffee is brewed in. There are several types of cookware and devices that can be used. To achieve good results, it is extremely important to choose these devices correctly.
What is coffee usually brewed in?
There is more than one name for cookware for making coffee. In the United States of America alone, about eight hundred patents have been issued for various variations of coffee makers. Essentially, all these devices are divided into two types:
- electrical;
- slab
Slabs require heating. The dishes are placed on the stove. Electric ones simply need to be connected to the mains.
There are both simple devices that have been used for centuries, and modern units that perform many functions, including grinding beans and choosing the optimal dosage.
Cooking in Turk
The oldest and simplest way to prepare a coffee drink, which is still widely used today, is boiling the beans in a Turk (cezve). Already from the name it becomes clear that this dish was invented in eastern countries. They initially used ordinary saucepans to brew the drink, and then for convenience they decided to remove one of the handles. The one that remained was made longer, curved and flattened.
Over time, the Arabs noticed that if the container at the neck was made narrower and the edges widened, the coffee would be much tastier. Thus, dishes with a thickened bottom, a narrow neck and a long handle were invented. She quickly gained popularity all over the world.
Nowadays, Turkish coffee is prepared on a stove (gas or electric). The classic recipe involves brewing in hot sand. The following actions are performed:
- The sand is heated for several hours.
- A Turk filled with coffee and water is immersed in it up to the level of the neck.
- When the water approaches the point of boiling, the cezve is quickly removed.
- To fully develop the taste and aroma, such manipulations are repeated 3-4 times.
For those who like to prepare a drink according to the classic recipe, a special electrical appliance has been developed. Visually, it resembles a box filled with sand. When it is turned on, the contents of the container become hot. All that remains is to place the cezve there.
If you have no experience in making coffee, it is recommended to start mastering this process with a copper or ceramic Turk.
Initially, only one type of grain is used. Then you can switch to mixtures and add various spices to the composition.
What accessories does a coffee lover need?
First of all, you need to prepare the base for cooking, in other words, grind the grains. True connoisseurs know that it is bean coffee that gives the finished drink a special taste and aroma.
The first item on your shopping list is a coffee grinder. It can be either electrical or mechanical. The first one is easier to use and allows you to get grinding in the shortest possible time. The second is stylish, authentic. Some fans argue that grains should be ground only by hand and nothing else.
Both methods allow you to obtain the degree of grinding depending on the wishes of the barista.
The next point is the cooking process itself. There are a lot of ways to brew coffee. Moreover, even regular espresso, not to mention varieties of the drink, such as cappuccino, latte and others.
The main and most common are:
- Turkish or cezve coffee;
- preparing a drink in a coffee maker. The cooking tool can be geyser, drip, capsule, or carob.
- using a coffee machine, the operation of which includes all brewing processes from grinding to pouring the drink.
In addition to the usual methods, there are alternative methods for making a hot mug for a coffee lover:
- French press, the functionality of which also allows you to brew teas and herbal infusions;
- the aero press is the most innovative brewing tool, using a piston to create pressure during brewing;
- brewing using a Chemex, in which boiling water passes through filters and the coffee is in contact with air for a long time, resulting in a soft and rich taste.
It is better to drink the finished drink from porcelain mugs, and for going for a walk, the best option would be to use a thermal mug.
Coffee pot
This coffee brewing container was invented in England at the end of the eighteenth century. Since then, the simple device has been constantly improved. Some coffee pots are used by brewing the beans on the stove, while others run on electricity. Despite many new, more modernized designs, these continue to remain popular among coffee lovers.
French press coffee maker
Invented in France in 1920, the device for brewing coffee is very popular. The coffee maker looks like a tall glass container made of high-temperature resistant material. Equipped with a piston. The lower part of this design part is connected to a metal filter, which looks like an ordinary mesh and fits tightly to the glass walls. At the top, the piston is attached to the cover.
The device is heated, and then coarsely ground coffee beans are poured into it and hot water is poured. After five minutes, the piston is slowly lowered down. Due to this, there is no grounds in the finished drink.
Automatic coffee machine
Well, if you prefer coffee made from freshly ground beans, then the home coffee machine you should choose should be automatic.
The principle of operation of an automatic coffee machine is that the process completely eliminates human participation - except for maintenance. Coffee beans are poured into the machine, the machine itself grinds the required amount, measures a portion, compacts it, passes water through it and pours the finished drink into a cup. It is enough for a person to ensure that the machine has coffee beans and water in the appropriate containers, and to empty the container for used ground coffee.
The picture shows the most popular model - Philips HD8649 2000 Series:
This type of machine is extremely convenient for home use - all you need to do is periodically add coffee, add water and clean the waste container. In addition, automatic coffee machines are easy to clean - only the waste container and the drip tray need to be washed.
However, fully automatic machines are not the most popular choice among buyers: their price tag starts at 15 thousand, they are the noisiest of all, and ground coffee is cheaper than beans. Therefore, semi-automatic coffee machines are more popular on the market - and rightly so. We have compiled a small selection of semi-automatic coffee machines - read it here:
- Inexpensive semi-automatic coffee machines: 5 best models
Geyser coffee maker
This device is especially popular among residents of Italy. The appearance of the unusual invention dates back to 1927.
The structure consists of three elements. The bottom section contains water. Above it is a raw materials compartment. The upper part is intended for the finished drink. To brew coffee, the device is placed on the stove. In this case, strong pressure is generated in the lower part. Steam begins to pass through the crushed grains located in the middle section. After this, it enters the upper compartment, cools down and goes through the condensation stage. The thicket continues to be located in the center of the structure. The drink turns out rich and quite strong.
Coffee makers
Geyser
A coffee maker is a type of utensil for brewing coffee, which has several subtypes.
The principle of geyser operation was invented by the English scientist Samuel Parker in 1833. A hundred years later, Italian Alfonso Bialetti patented the device and began selling it on an industrial scale.
The geyser machine consists of 3 compartments: for water, coffee powder and the finished drink. The liquid heats up, enters the second container, where it is saturated with flavor, and enters the upper compartment.
To prepare the drink, pour water into the lower compartment, add ground powder into the middle one and place on the stove if this is a stove-top version. Or plug it in if it is an electrical appliance.
Standard geyser machines are designed for 6 cups, larger units are designed for 12 or 18 servings. Such devices are made of aluminum, ceramics or stainless steel.
Drip
The drip unit appeared in 1800. It was invented by the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste de Bellois-Morangle.
The drip apparatus consists of:
- water containers;
- heating tank;
- heating element;
- filter with funnel;
- bowls for the finished drink.
When heated, the water rises through the tube and drops into the filter with coffee powder. The drink is ready when all the water flows into the thicket.
When choosing drip machines, it is better to buy a unit with a reusable filter. Pay attention to the power of the machine: the larger it is, the faster the drink is brewed. To ensure that the grains have time to release their aroma and taste, choose a device with a power of up to 850 W.
Carob or espresso machines
The horn machine works by using steam pressure, which can be used to prepare espresso or cappuccino.
Interesting! Top 7 best descaling products for coffee machines
The water heats up, the steam presses on the valve, and it opens. The liquid is slowly poured into a container with coffee powder. Makes 2 to 4 cups at a time.
For an espresso machine, it is better to choose beans based on the type of espresso. They are coarsely ground and heat-treated to obtain a richer aroma.
Capsule
These are convenient machines for quickly preparing coffee capsules. They consist of:
- metal or plastic case;
- thermoblock for heating water;
- a pump that creates pressure;
- control panels;
- capsule brewing and ejection unit;
- liquid dispenser.
To prepare a drink in a capsule machine, insert the capsule into the block on the body and press the button.
Combined
Coffee makers that can be used to prepare several types of coffee are called combined coffee makers. Such devices have a built-in container that allows you to prepare a drink using the drip method. And also a small espresso cup. An additional plus is a device for whipping cream and foam.
Other advantages of combination machines include practicality and space-saving in the kitchen. You don't have to buy 2-3 coffee makers with different functions.
The disadvantages of the model include the price, which starts from 6,000 rubles and can reach 15,000 rubles. In addition, you will have to buy different types of grains. Otherwise, there is no point in buying such a car.
Portable
In modern life, it is difficult to live without a cup of an invigorating drink when traveling or in traffic jams. For such cases, portable devices were created. The devices are designed for brewing coffee outside the home.
Operating principle: pour tableted or ground coffee into a flask and fill it with hot water from a thermos. Press the contents through the filter using a hand press. The device also works from a car cigarette lighter.
Learn more in the article “About Portable Manual Coffee Makers.”
Drip coffee maker
It is very convenient to brew coffee in a drip coffee maker. It is also known as American filtration. The invention appeared thanks to the efforts of the archbishop of Paris in 1800. The device is equipped with a heating circuit through which water moves, which eventually reaches a temperature of about 90-95 degrees. After this, the liquid begins to flow one drop at a time into a filter filled with crushed grains. When the coffee releases its aroma sufficiently, the liquid flows into the flask.
One of the important design details is the filter. It can be disposable (made of paper) or reusable (nylon).
Often, a filter made of nylon is additionally coated with titanium nitrate. Due to this, its service life is significantly extended.
Coffee lovers who prefer a strong coffee drink are recommended to give preference to coffee makers with low power (within 750-850 W). The liquid in such a unit will heat up more slowly and absorb the maximum amount of aromatic substances. This makes the coffee richer.
Espresso coffee maker
The drink is prepared using steam pressure. This unit can also make cappuccino. To froth milk, you need to place a straw equipped with a nozzle in a container with liquid. Steam will begin to flow through it under pressure. Due to this, foam will appear on the brewed coffee.
The unit works according to this principle:
- the water gradually warms up;
- when the maximum pressure is reached, the valve opens;
- the liquid moves through the tank containing the grains.
Depending on the device model, you can prepare 2-4 cups at a time. Designs that create a pressure of 15 bar are more advanced than those designed for only 3.5-5 bar. In them, the liquid absorbs a maximum of aromatic substances.
For this type of coffee maker, it is recommended to use a special type of product. It's called espresso. These are coarsely crushed grains that have undergone special heat treatment.
Types of immersion funnels
Immersion funnels brew coffee according to one principle: we infuse the coffee in a container with a filter without additional intervention, then open the valve and let the coffee drain into the container under the influence of gravity. In this case, the contact time of ground coffee and hot water is not limited, but we can interrupt brewing at any time.
The differences between different models of funnels are in volume, shape, material and filter. When brewing in Bonavita, December and Wilfa, we can influence the filtration rate by adjusting the valve opening diameter or the number of holes. Clever has only two valve positions: fully open and closed.
For immersion funnels, truncated filters like those for drip coffee makers are most often suitable.
For Bonavita, Clever and Wilfa, paper filters that have the shape of a “truncated cone” are suitable, such as are used for drip coffee makers (for example, Kalita, Melitta, Filtero, etc.). For December, we choose filters with a flat round bottom and corrugated walls. There are branded December filters, but you can also use them from other manufacturers - Kalita Wave, Tiamo, Hero, Brewista.
Metal funnel December, ceramic Bonavita, plastic Wilfa and Clever.
In my practice, I have used all of the listed models of immersion funnels. In the last year, it has become difficult to find a Bonavita funnel for sale, although we can say that it was with it that the popularity of immersion funnels in Russia began. This funnel has been used regularly at the Brewers Cup since 2021. You can prepare a large volume of coffee in it - the bowl holds 470 grams of water.
The Wilfa funnel was invented by the Norwegians, made of plastic, and comes in white, red or yellow. It’s also not easy to find on the market now.
The December funnel was created by Korean coffee professional Yang Min Lee. I know him personally, he is a very open person, ready to share knowledge. His funnel was named “December” because of the 12 holes - according to the number of calendar months. The valve position can be changed from completely closed to 4-8-12 open holes to regulate the brewing speed.
The Clever funnel, one might say, is a new product on the Russian market, created in Taiwan. What I like about it is the ease of preparation - it always turns out well.
I often use immersion funnels (except Bonavita) like a regular pour over - I just open the holes right away and brew. At home I have two immersion funnels - Clever and December. Therefore, next I will share recipes for making coffee in them.
Combination coffee maker
A combination coffee maker combines two types of devices. One of them is drip type. She is able to prepare a liter of an invigorating drink at once. The other brews just one cup of espresso. Such units are equipped with a special device designed for whipping dairy products.
These designs are suitable for coffee lovers who find it difficult to decide on their preferences and choose between espresso or traditional coffee. They are convenient to use in a small kitchen. Such devices save space.
These coffee makers also have disadvantages. Among them are the following:
- each part of the unit requires special care;
- you have to purchase different types of ground grains;
- high price. For the same money you can buy an espresso and drip device of decent quality separately.
There are a huge number of devices designed for brewing coffee. Each of them has a number of advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to say unequivocally what is best to brew coffee beans in. Disputes on this matter continue constantly. Some people prefer the drink prepared in a cezve or French press. Other coffee lovers claim that it is much easier to brew it in modern units.
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