We are not sponsored by companies who produce coffee equipment. The advice you find below, comes from our first-hand experience.
Grinders
Before starting a quick tour on the brewing methods, we will start from the most important piece of equipment: the grinder. We will never stress enough on the importance of a good grinder and of how it can radically impact your coffee flavor. We suggest buying a grinder which costs at least 1/3 of the price of the espresso machine.
Electric Coffee Grinder
High budget: Niche Zero (Espresso and Filter) https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk
Medium budget: Sage Smart Grinder Pro (Espresso and Filter) https://www.sageappliances.com/ch/fr/products/coffee-grinders/bcg820.html
Small budget: Krups GVX2 (Espresso and Filter) https://www.krups.ch/fr/cafe/autour-du-cafe/1500813230
Manual Coffee Grinder
High budget: Comandante (Espresso and Filter) https://www.comandantegrinder.com
Small budget: Rhino Hand Grinder (Filter) https://rhinocoffeegear.com/rhinowares-compact-hand-grinder-with-aeropress-adaptor.html
Brewing methods
The french press
The French press is an easy-to-use device that allows you to make a cup of coffee quickly and with minimal effort. The French press is also a great way to make coffee with a rich, full-bodied flavor. To get started, you’ll need a French press, fresh coffee grounds, and hot water. Start by adding two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee to the French press. Next, slowly pour in the hot water. Make sure the water is between 90°C and 96°C. Once the water has been added, stir the mixture and then allow it to steep for four minutes. After 4 minutes, you can now plunge the French press. This will separate the grounds from the brewed coffee, leaving behind a flavorful cup of coffee. Once you have pressed down the filter, you can pour your coffee into a mug, and enjoy. When brewing with a French press, it’s important to note that the steeping time will affect the taste of the coffee. If you steep the coffee for longer, it will yield a stronger cup of coffee. If you steep it for a shorter period of time, it will result in a milder cup of coffee.
French Press Espro P3: https://www.espro.com/collections/french-press/products/coffee-french-press-p3
French Press Bodum Brazil: https://www.bodum.com/be/fr/1543-01-brazil
Aeropress
Brewing with an Aeropress is one of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to make a cup of coffee. It’s a great tool for both beginner and experienced coffee makers alike, as it’s incredibly simple to use and produces a delicious cup of coffee. Brewing with an Aeropress yields a cup of coffee that is full-bodied and flavorful, without any of the bitterness or acidity that can sometimes be associated with espresso-style coffee. The Aeropress is an easy-to-use, portable coffee maker that looks like a giant syringe. It’s made up of two separate chambers, a filter, and a plunger. To begin brewing, you’ll need to preheat the Aeropress by adding hot water. Once heated, add your desired amount of ground coffee, followed by hot water. Stir the mixture for about 10-15 seconds, and then press the plunger down slowly and steadily until all the water has been forced through the filter. Once the brewing process is complete, you can either enjoy your cup of coffee as is, or add milk, sugar, or other flavors to customize it to your liking.
Aeropress: https://aeropress.com
V60
Brewing with a V60 is a popular method of preparing pour-over coffee. It’s known for producing clean and vibrant cups with a wide range of flavors. The V60 uses a cone-shaped filter and large hole in the bottom to allow for a swift and even flow of water. This allows the grounds to be fully saturated and extracted.
To begin, you’ll need freshly ground coffee, a V60, filter and a gooseneck kettle. Start by heating your water to the desired temperature. Generally, the ideal temperature for brewing is between (90°C to 96°C). Next, place the filter into the V60 and rinse it with hot water to remove any paper flavor. This also preheats the brewer. Discard the rinse water. Add the coffee to the filter. The amount of coffee you need will depend on the size of your filter and desired strength. For a standard V60, use 20 grams of coffee.
Next, use the hot water to wet the grounds and let it sit for 30 seconds. This process is called “blooming” and helps to release the gases trapped in the grounds. Once the bloom is complete, begin pouring the rest of the hot water in circular motions, starting in the middle and working your way out. The pouring should be slow and steady, with the water level always above the grounds. Once all of the water has been added, remove the filter and discard the grounds. Your V60 brewed coffee is now ready to enjoy.
Hario V60: https://global.hario.com/sp_v60series.html
Chemex
Brewing Chemex is a simple, clean, and perfect way to make a great cup of coffee. The Chemex is a pour-over method of brewing coffee, where hot water is poured over the ground coffee and allowed to steep, then filtered through the Chemex filter and into the carafe. The Chemex is a unique brewer, as it is made of glass, with a distinctive hourglass shape. The first step to brewing a great cup of coffee with the Chemex is to boil water. The water should be just off the boil, or about 96°C. Once the water is boiled, pre-rinse the filter. This helps to remove any papery tastes from the filter and also ensures that the filter won’t collapse when saturated with hot water. Next, add the desired amount of coffee to the filter. For a Chemex, a ratio of one tablespoon of coffee for every 170g of water is recommended. Gently shake the filter to level out the grounds. Place the Chemex on a scale and tare the weight. Then, add the water to saturate the grounds. Start with a small amount of water and stir gently in a circular motion. Allow the coffee to bloom for 45 seconds. This helps to further release the flavor from the grounds. Continue to slowly pour the water in a circular motion, making sure to keep the grounds evenly saturated. As you pour, the water level will rise in the Chemex. Stop pouring when the desired amount of coffee is reached. Finally, remove the filter and discard the grounds. Pour your freshly brewed coffee into a cup, sit back, and enjoy.
Chemex Coffee Maker: https://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com
Moka pot
Brewing coffee with a moka pot is a great way to make an Italian-style espresso-like coffee. A moka pot is a stovetop espresso maker that is designed to bring out the best flavors of coffee beans. It produces a thick, strong coffee that is quite similar to espresso.
To begin, you’ll need a moka pot, freshly ground coffee beans, a coffee grinder, and hot water. Start by filling the lower chamber of the moka pot with hot water. Make sure to not overfill it—you should only fill it to the safety valve.
Then add in your freshly ground coffee beans. You should use a medium-fine grind and be sure to not fill the basket too full. Once the lower chamber is filled with water and coffee, attach the top chamber of the moka pot to the bottom chamber. Place the pot on the stove over low-medium heat. As the pot heats up, the water will begin to boil and steam. The pressure created by the steam will push the hot water up through the grounds and into the top chamber. Once the water in the lower chamber has been pushed up into the top chamber, you have to remove the pot immediately from the heat. Avoid leaving the pot bubbling since it may burn the coffee then give the pot a few minutes to cool.
Bialetti Moka Pot: https://www.bialetti.com/ee_en/moka-express.html
Espresso machine
Brewing espresso is a complex and nuanced process that requires attention to detail and the right equipment.
The first step to brewing espresso is grinding your own beans. The fineness of the grind is essential to the flavor of the espresso. If the grind is too coarse, the espresso will be over-extracted and bitter. If the grind is too fine, the espresso will be under-extracted and weak. The ideal grind for espresso is a very fine, powder-like consistency. Once the beans are ground, you will need to measure out the correct amount of coffee. For one shot of espresso, you will need 7-9 grams of coffee. For a double shot, you will need 14-18 grams of coffee. After you’ve measured the coffee, you will need to tamp it into the portafilter. This is the process of using a tamper to press down the coffee grounds into the portafilter. This is essential to ensure that the espresso is evenly extracted. After the portafilter is tamped, it is time to place it in the espresso machine and start brewing. Different machines have different instructions on how to do this, so make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, you will need to insert the portafilter into the machine and then press a button or lever to start the brewing process. There are many different types of home espresso machines on the market, ranging from manual espresso machines to super-automatic machines. Manual machines are typically the most economical option, but require more effort and skill to use. Super-automatic machines are easier to use, but are more expensive.
Very High budget: La Marzocco Mini
https://international.lamarzocco.com/en/machine/linea-mini/
High budget: ECM Mechanika VI Slim
https://www.ecm.de/en/products/details/product/Product/Details/mechanika-vi-slim/
Medium budget: Sage Dual Bolier
https://www.sageappliances.com/ch/fr/products/espresso/bes920.html
Small budget: Gaggia New Classic