Sunday, August 14, 2011

Coffee 5 Ways!

By Bob Reehal


Coffee has five primary ways of being brewed. Each method has brewing variables - introduction of water, brewing temperature, and separating the brewed liquor from the coffee grounds. These 5 methods are called Turkish brewing, concentrate brewing, percolating, drip brewing, and French Press brewing.

"Turkish" or "Greek" Coffee

Turkish coffee or kahve is the traditional name is made in small containers directly on the flame with water and finely ground kahve comes to a boil. Often times it's brewed up with sugar already introduced. In a few traditions they will pour off just a little into each cup after which bring it to a second boil, pouring the rest off into each cup guaranteeing an even distribution of grounds. In some regions they serve the kahve with added spice which is usually cardamom. The coffee isn't filtered from the liquor which leaves a thick pungent and muddy brew. The mud settles to the bottom of the small demitasse cups the coffee is served in. In lots of countries they read the coffee mud after you've drank your coffee and tell you your future.

Concentrate Brewing

Concentrate brewing is very well-liked in Latin America and other parts of the world. It is starting to make a come back in the U.S.. Concentrate brewing takes large amounts of coffee that's brewed with little amounts of water to brew a concentrate. To make a cup of coffee you mix a few of the concentrate with hot water. The concentrate is brewed either hot or cold. When it's brewed chilly you must allow the coffee sit for at least a day. This technique creates a mild light-bodied coffee with little aroma and a little acidity with a muted flavor.

Percolating

This procedure involves a constant brewing of the coffee grounds using boiling water which then turns to boiling coffee liquor brewing over the grounds. This method is practical but is an insult to the coffee bean. Brewing with boiling water is bad enough, then boiling the liquor is asking for a thin, bitter and tarry coffee.

Although this produces an awful cup of coffee many individuals still choose percolation. If its for you then more power to you!

Auto drip

This is the hottest way to brew coffee in the U.S.A. Pouring hot water over grounds in a filter and letting the brew drip out the bottom, easy. Drip brewing can produce a great cup of coffee in the event the proper equipment is used. One of the biggest issues with auto drip machines is they don't brew at the right temperature. Bunn is one of the couple of businesses which calibrate their machines to the proper temperature. If you have a good auto drip brewing machine then the next hurdle to tackle is the filter. Paper filters can deposit a flavor in the coffee and also don't permit lots of the coffee oils and organic compounds via. A gold-plated reusable filter is the ideal option for drip brewing. It'll not deposit a taste in the coffee and doesn't trap as much of the coffee's essence as paper filters do.

French Press or Press Pot

French Pres brewing gives you complete control. It is more labor intensive than auto drip the brewing variables can be better controlled. Coarsely ground coffee is placed in a glass carafe. The hot water is then poured over the grounds. When the brewing is complete the top is placed on along with a plunger that consists of a metal mesh plate is pressed down pushing the grounds to the bottom. The coffee liquor is on top ready to be poured off. The mesh filter allows the oils and fine coffee particles through without a problem. Also because a coarser grind is needed a lengthier brewing time is required. A general rule of thumb is four minutes for a French press. This direct contact of the grounds to water allows a more complete, manageable, and also extraction. Even with the coarse grind though a coarse grind will nonetheless produce some fine particles. A cup of French-pressed coffee will be fuller, more body, and more flavor. It'll also have sediment on the bottom of the cup.




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