Various Types of Ways to Make Coffee

Also known as: Drip

Brand name(s): Mr Coffee, Melita

Description: The drip or filter method is possibly the most widely used method today. Finely-ground coffee is placed in a paper or reusable cone-shaped unit and nearly boiling water poured on top. The resulting brew filters through the unit into a pot or mug and is ready to drink. The coffee grounds remain in the cone.

Uses: By the pot: There are electric versions which automate this process. Cold water is placed in a holding tank. The ground coffee is placed in the brewing basket which contains a paper or other filter. The machine is switched on, the water is automatically heated then pumped through the basket into the carafe. A heating element under the carafe keeps the pot warm. A popular brand name example is Mr Coffee.

By the cup: A small plastic cone-shaped unit with a rim is placed on a mug with a paper filter and the ground coffee inside. Water which has been heated in a kettle or in a microwave separately is poured into the filter unit and into the mug. A brand of this sort of individual coffee brewer is Melita.

Also known as: Boiled

Description: A large covered pot contains a piece that consists of a tube that runs from the bottom of the pot up to a basket which holds the ground coffee. The pot is filled with water, which is heated either on the stove or by an electric heating element. When it boils, the water is forced up through the tube and back down through the basket holding the coffee. Their popularity has dropped significantly since the introduction of automatic filter types.

Also known as: Instant

Description: Instant coffee comes in a jar and a spoonful is added to a cup of heated water to make an individual serving. Instant coffee is made by preparing a coffee concentrate from which the water is removed, either by heat, known as spray dried, or by freezing, to produce a soluble powder or granules.

Also known as: Expresso

Description: Brewing of espresso requires a very specific and complex machine. Once limited to commercial use, smaller machines are available now for home use. Espresso machines force the hot water through very finely and compacted coffee and then into the cups below. The 'crema' is a thin froth which forms on top of the black coffee underneath.

Description: An espresso machine has a system of a tubing that produces steam. A small jug of milk is held under the steam until it foams and froths like whipped cream. It is then added carefully to the prepared cup of espresso.

Description: Coffee made in any way can be either chilled in the refrigerator or poured over ice cubes to produce a very refreshing cold beverage.