All coffee is just coffee and water. The method changes the taste. Here's what each one does, plain and simple.
Drip Machine
The classic. Hot water drips through grounds in a paper filter. Easy, hands-off, makes a full pot.
French Press
Grounds soak in hot water for four minutes, then you push a plunger down. Rich, heavy, full flavor. Cheap and hard to break.
Pour-Over
You pour hot water slowly over grounds in a paper filter. Clean, bright taste. Takes practice, but coffee lovers swear by it.
AeroPress
Grounds steep briefly, then you press the coffee through a filter. Takes two minutes. Smooth, no bitterness, almost impossible to mess up. Best cheap upgrade you can buy.
Moka Pot
Goes on the stove. Steam pushes water through the grounds. Strong and intense — the closest to espresso without a machine.
Cold Brew
Grounds soak in cold water 12 to 24 hours. Smooth, sweet, low acid. Great over ice.
Which One?
- Want easy? Drip machine.
- Want rich? French press.
- Want flavor detail? Pour-over.
- Want fast and foolproof? AeroPress.
- Want strong? Moka pot.
- Want iced? Cold brew.