Many people who prefer brewing coffee at home simply fill their coffee machine with ground coffee and water, turn it on, and have a ready cup of coffee within a few minutes. Others use more personalized coffee brewing methods. Regardless of how you brew your coffee, be it a pour-over method or an automatic coffee maker, using a coffee filter prevents excess oil from getting into your cup of coffee. In this article, we will show you how to brew filter coffee.
What is Filter Coffee?
In simple terms, filter coffee is a type of coffee prepared by passing water through coffee grounds placed in a filter at low pressure. Although most new coffee-making trends are shifting from filter coffee, it is still one of the best and simplest ways of brewing coffee. Filter coffee can be as great as espresso as long as you know how to brew it right.
How to Make Filter Coffee
There are several types of filter machines used in making filter coffee. Here are the different ways of brewing filter coffee.
Method 1- Using a Chemex Brewer to Brew Filter Coffee
Here is how to brew the best filter coffee with a Chemex brewer.
Step 1- Boil Water
Add water to a gooseneck kettle. Boil the water to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Use clean, filtered water to get the best-tasting coffee.
Step 2- Preheat the Filter and Brewer
Unfold the Chemex paper filter to the shape of a cone. Place it on the Chemex. Pour some hot water over the filter until you soak it completely. Discard the water.
Step 3- Measure your Ground Coffee
Weigh your ground coffee to get a well-balanced brew. Use 6 tablespoons (42 grams) of ground coffee for an 8-cup brewer. Use medium-coarse grounds for this method.
Step 4- Prepare your Chemex
Put the ground coffee you have measured in the moistened filter that you placed on the top of the Chemex. Have a clock or digital timer ready before proceeding.
Step 5- Saturate the Coffee Grounds
Start your timer. Slowly pour about 150 grams or 2/3 of a cup of hot water over the grounds. Stir the grounds gently with a spoon.
Step 6- Pour Water Over the Coffee Grounds
Once the coffee grounds are saturated, wait for about 45 seconds. Next, slowly pour about 450 grams or 2 ½ cups of water over the grounds.
Step 7- Wait Before Adding Water
Allow the coffee to brew and filter into the Chemex for another 45 seconds. Then add more water, making sure you are pouring it slowly until it fully covers the grounds and fills the filter.
Step 8- Allow the Coffee to Brew
The water will flow through the grounds slowly and settle into the bottom chamber of your Chemex. It will only take a few minutes. However, do not stir the coffee. Allow it to flow naturally.
Step 9- Remove the Coffee Filter
Your filter coffee is ready once the water stops flowing through the grounds. Lift the filter and keep it aside. Swirl the brewed coffee and serve it.
Method 2- How to Brew Filter Coffee with a Standard Coffee Maker
You can also use a regular coffee maker to make filter coffee. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1- Add Water
Get your coffee machine ready. Fill the water reservoir of your coffee machine with water depending on the amount of coffee you want to brew.
Step 2- Insert the Coffee Filter
Next, insert the coffee filter suitable for your machine. Some coffee machines have a filter basket where you put a paper filter. Others have a reusable mesh filter.
Step 3- Measure Coffee Grounds
Measure enough coffee grounds and put them onto the filter. Use medium or medium-fine coffee grounds. Preferably, grind coffee beans just before brewing. Use 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds per 5 ounces of water.
Step 4- Start Brewing
Turn on your coffee machine. Some coffee makers brew coffee automatically with the press of a single button. Some may allow you to customize your brewing process.
Step 5- Serve your Brew
Once your coffee maker finishes brewing, serve your coffee right away.
Step 6- Clean Up
Throw away the used coffee grounds and paper filter. If your coffee maker uses a mesh filter, remove it and clean it up. Also, clean the water reservoir, filter basket, and other components that require cleaning.
How to Brew Filter Coffee with a Single Cup Cone Brewer
Single-cup cone brewers are forms of pour over coffee makers. They make filter coffee and include coffee makers such as the Kalita, Hario V60, Bee House, and Hario V60. In single-cup brewers, the brewer sits over a serving mug. The coffee drips directly into the mug. Here is the general of using single-cup cone brewers:
Step 1- Boil Water
Boil water with a pot to 93 degrees Celsius (200 degrees Fahrenheit). Transfer the water to a gooseneck kettle or any kettle with a lengthy spout.
Step 2- Preheat the Equipment
Unfold a paper filter and place it over the brewer. Pour some hot water over the filter to soak it. Pour out the water.
Step 3- Measure Ground Coffee
Add 2 tablespoons or 24 grams of medium-coarse coffee grounds into the filter.
Step 4- Saturate the Ground Coffee
Start your digital timer. Pour about ¼ cup of hot water over the ground coffee to saturate it. Stir the grounds gently with a spoon. Allow the grounds to saturate for 30 seconds.
Step 5- Pour Over Water
Pour more hot water over the grounds slowly until the filter is half-full.
Step 6- Allow the Coffee to Brew
The water will flow through the grounds slowly into the waiting mug below. Do not stir the coffee. Once the water stops flowing, remove the filter and enjoy your hot brew.
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