Whether you are a true coffee connoisseur or just a casual drinker, the chances are that you have heard of drip coffee before. From the foggy days wrapped in your blanket while sipping on your favorite cup to cozy cafes that offer unique blends from around the world, drip coffee has become one of today’s most popular drinks.
But what is it exactly, and how do we make our own? With this article, we answer all those questions and more; once you’ve finished reading this post, there will be no mystery left when it comes to drip coffee. So here’s a complete guide that will decode the essence of this beloved classic caffeine beverage!
In the early stages of coffee brewing, a simple process was used wherein boiling water was added to ground coffee beans, and the mixture was allowed to sit for several minutes.
People loved it, especially the factory workers who could enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with minimal effort.
But, as you know, the invention is the mother of necessity, and soon the process was improved to make it taste better than ever before. The French people were the first to use this drip brew method making a type of coffee called drip coffee..
Ground coffee is placed in a container between two pot chambers for drip brewing. Hot water is then added to the top chamber and trickled down through the coffee into the base serving container.
To date, this is one of the most common manual coffee brewing methods.
Furthermore, the drip coffee method spread across Europe, and the world of coffee witnessed many inventions. Later on, the products used today, such as Moka Pot, French Press, Chemex, and Drip Coffee Makers, were invented and made brewing easier.
And the present state of drip coffee is – brewing it using an automatic machine.
What is Drip Coffee?
Drip coffee, also referred to as filtered or flat-bottomed coffee, is a brewed beverage resulting from pouring hot water over roasted and ground beans.
It is a relatively straightforward process that produces an incredibly delicious cup of coffee in no time. The critical part consists of placing the correct amount of finely-ground beans into the filter and pouring hot water over it.
Nowdays it can be made using an automatic drip coffee maker. This coffee maker uses a filter to separate the ground coffee from the water. Water is heated to the desired temperature and then poured over the ground coffee. The water passes through the filter, extracting the coffee’s flavor and aroma, and drips into the carafe below.
Is Drip Coffee and Pour Over Coffee the Same?
Pour over coffee is a type of drip coffee, but not all drip coffee is pour over.
Pour-over coffee requires the use of special filters, usually made from paper or metal mesh. The main difference between the two methods is that pour-over method gives you more control over water temperature and extraction time. This yields a much more consistent cup of coffee than a standard drip machine.
However, both methods are easy and simple to use. They both require the same amounts of coffee and water and a few minutes of your time, so it really comes down to your preference.
But, A significant difference is in the extraction process specifics. The variables like brew time, water temperature, water flow, and speed differ between the drip brew and the pour over method. The contrast in variables leads to a distinct taste, texture, and overall quality. So, the next time you brew drip coffee, and someone says, “it’s pour-over, right?” you can confidently explain the difference!
How to Make Drip Coffee? (Using a Coffee Maker)
If you’re a coffeeholic, you might have a coffee maker machine at home. Despite your machine’s brand and model, the automated brewing process is the same. To make drip coffee, all you’ve to do is:
1. Fill the water reservoir of the drip coffee maker, depending on the number of cups you want to prepare.
2. Set the filter basket
3. Add fresh-ground coffee beans
4. Put a carafe
5. Set the timer, and press the button to start brewing
6. Wait for the pouring of the best coffee you’ve ever had!
Using the same ratio of coffee grounds to hot water every time is a foolproof method to produce the same results consistently. It restricts you from altering the process and ensures consistency, leaving coffee lovers with an amazing final brew.
Pro Tips To Brew The Perfect Drip Coffee
Many think that drip coffee is a simple process, so is there any need for tips? Well, those who believe in making every cup of coffee perfect, they’ll praise more tips.
Water temperature and quality
Coffee brewing is a science, and the temperature at which water meets the coffee grinds is important. The ideal brewing temperature for drip coffee is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a drip cone or the coffee maker; this is the minimum temperature water should have when it touches the caffeine grinds.
In the same way, the quality of water is also important. Tap water contains chemicals like chlorine, which can affect the taste of the caffeine drink. It’s best to use filtered water.
Grind size
The grind size is important as it affects the flavor and the extraction of caffeine.
You might have read on the internet that if you utilize a finer or medium grind, the drip coffee will be over-extracted and taste bitter. Or that, if you use a coarse grind, the coffee will be under-extracted and taste flat. But that’s not the case!
The bitterness of coffee depends on the brewing temperature and the ratio of coffee grounds to hot water. So, to be safer, always practice slower brewing temperatures. Also, ensure that you adjust the brewing time when you lower the temperature.
Grind coffee beans at home
Extra efforts lead to extra rewards. Use a coffee grinder to grind the beans to the desired size. This way, the flavors and aromas of the coffee beans will be intact, and you can have the best cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Moreover, if you don’t have a grinder and you plan to buy one after reading this, choose the burr grinders only. Burr grinders have two surfaces that grind and crush the beans, providing a consistent grind. Therefore, you’ll have a consistent flavor in every cup.
Don’t overheat
Coffee can get very bitter if it’s left on a heating element for too long. Once you pour the hot drip coffee into a carafe, you’ll never have to worry about it tasting burned when your drink is served.
Choose right drip coffee makers
The mogul of the entire brewing process! If you haven’t invested in a drip coffee maker, this is the sign to do it right now! Don’t go for the cheapest one; invest in a good machine that provides consistent performance and a brilliant brew. Look for features like capacity, programmability, temperature, a thermal carafe, and a water filter.
Also, check out the science behind americano coffee.
The coffee-water ratio
You can use just under 10 grams of coffee grounds per 150-200 ml of hot water to get the perfect drip coffee. That’s a lot of ground, but you can adjust the amount as per personal preference. Remember that the reason that different people have different opinions is that everyone’s body is unique. So if you have a sensitive tummy, you might use fewer coffee grounds to avoid discomfort.
One fantastic thing about coffee machines is that the more you make at once, the fewer grounds you need. When brewing two cups, the coffee grounds don’t have enough time to absorb water fully. Low saturation will lead to a weak cup of drip coffee. Moreover, consider making your brew coffee with a drip pour-over cone for a single-cup setting.
The brewing time of the drip coffee
The time that coffee needs to be immersed in hot water varies from style to style. For cold brew coffee, it might take 18 hours, whereas for drip coffee, pour-over, or commercial espresso machines, it takes about 5 minutes.
Further, if your machine is dripping too fast, you’ll get an under-extracted drip coffee. If the water is too cold, you’ll have to brew for longer in order to extract properly. So, ensure these two factors when you brew the coffee.
Pick the coffee grounds and filter wisely
Using the right filter and coffee grounds is important to get the right taste and flavor in your coffee. In terms of filter, use a medium-fine filter to get the perfect flavor. Or you can use the common paper filter, but it flattens the taste of your coffee. Do keep that in mind. Generally, store-bought regular coffee grounds are pre-ground, while freshly ground coffee will give you the best flavor.
Keep the coffee machine clean
Regularly clean the drip coffee machines if you seek a hassle-free and smooth brewing process. There are pipes inside the machine, the carafe, the reservoir, and the filter that need regular maintenance.
How many calories are in drip coffee?
Drip coffee is a low-calorie coffee with approximately two calories per eight servings. It contains calories from protein, monounsaturated fat, and unsaturated fat. One serving that weighs eight ounces of coffee contains 300 mg of protein, two grams of unsaturated fat, and about 36 mg of monounsaturated fat.
Wrapping up
Drip coffee is a simple yet effective method of brewing coffee. The drip brewing process is easy, and the results are delicious. With the right grind size, brewing temperature, and filter, you can enjoy the perfect cup of drip-brewed coffee every time.
Remember to keep the pro tips in mind for an appetising brewed coffee. It’ll improve your brewing experience, and whosoever drinks the drip coffee you make will lose the love of the flavor.
Brew the flavorful cup of drip coffee and enjoy it with your friends and family. Have a great day and happy sipping!
Check out our exclusive list of all different types of coffee.
