How to make coffee in an eco-responsible way

A true institution for many people around the world, coffee is fulfilled in a multitude of ways. Depending on the desired tastes, the equipment you have available or the type of drink desired, the preparations will have to vary. Are you looking for different ways to make a coffee? The following is sure to grab your attention.

How to make filter coffee?

The filter method is one of the most popular techniques for making your coffee today. It is much more popular in the United States as well as in Germany. Here you have the option of opting for a manual process instead of using electrical equipment.

The manual approach

It is quite possible to make your favorite drink if you do not have a machine. Also referred to as a filtration process, this method of preparation consists of a few steps:

• Arrange the ground beans on a dish rack, washable cone or stainless steel filter
• Place a clean pot below the washable cone
• Pour a small amount of hot water at first to optimize the release of oils and aromatic components
• Then add a reasonable amount of water
• The stainless steel filter or washable cone will be used to retain the grind
• You can then consume the drink collected in the pot placed below the cone

While this mechanism turns out to be not very complex, it turns out to be more time-consuming and requires skill depending on the material used.

The electric version, for a more intense taste

To get a more satisfying taste and speed up the preparation of your drink, you can turn to electrical equipment. It will indeed be used to automate the manual process as long as you do the right thing:

• Rinse the filter with hot water to prevent taste transfer within the drink
• Clean the jug of the machine before placing it under the filter holder
• Fill the reservoir dedicated to this use with cold water
• Add the coffee to the filter according to the proportion of cups you want to obtain (10 grams of ground beans, or 1 good tablespoon, for 1 cup of 150 ml)
• Pour the appropriate volume of water into the machine then turn on
• Heating the water facilitates a rise in heat within the filter by expansion
• The drip mechanism will extract and collect the coffee from the jug
• The filter will retain the coffee grounds, this is the portion not dissolved during extraction

To maintain the temperature and aroma of your drink, use an insulated bottle or mug. Also, be sure to remove the jug or carafe from the hotplate once your drink is prepared. This prevents a burnt aftertaste when consuming. The filter coffee maker is easy to maintain, offers a variety of flavor choices and is more economical. Indeed, capsules or pods are more expensive than ground grains.

How to make coffee with an Italian coffee maker

Otherwise known under the names of mocha, Neapolitan or pressure coffee maker, the Italian coffee maker seduces as much by the taste obtained as by its elegance. It has 3 components, including a bottom compartment, the top one and a central part serving as a filter. Note that there is suitable coffee for an Italian coffee maker which you can purchase online or from your roaster. Grinds that are too coarse or too fine should be avoided if you want to optimize the extraction.

You can make your favorite drink using an Italian coffee maker by doing the following:

• Fill the lower compartment of your machine with mineral or filtered water
• Add the ground coffee to the filter or funnel located in the central part of the appliance
• Avoid tamping the contents of the filter by hand, as this may result in a bitter taste and a poorly extracted drink
• Then screw the 2 compartments of the machine
• Heat the coffee maker over medium heat
• Remove from the heat once the evolved vapor has a light color.

To promote steam dispersion and avoid a “burnt” taste, keep the lid of the machine open during the process. Because this equipment lacks automation, only gurgling noises will tell you that there is no water. You also risk damaging the taste of the drink but also the appliance by leaving it on the stove for too long.

Be careful not to clean the machine with dish soap. Rinsing the equipment, threads and gaskets in plain water is enough to preserve your Italian coffee maker. In addition, it is not recommended to screw the 2 parts of the machine too tight when storing it after complete drying.

How to make a good coffee with a reusable stainless steel capsule?

Unlike the disposable model, the reusable or refillable capsule allows you to make your favorite drink without pouring as much polluting the environment. You can also compost the undissolved parts or use them for housekeeping tips. For a better infusion, it is advisable to invest in a tamper; this accessory will restrict the flow of water.

Using a reusable capsule for brewing your coffee is very easy:

• Fill the capsule with a coffee of your choice (strong, organic, local ...)
• Please slightly exceed the capacity of the capsule insofar as you will have to pack everything
• Tamp the contents of the capsule so that there is only an empty space of 3 millimeters at most
• Close the capsule using its lid then insert everything into the machine before pouring
• Throw the marc in the compost then rinse the capsule and its cover after use

Remember that the temperature of your capsule will be high when you take it out of the machine. To increase the durability of your accessory, avoid keeping the grounds in it for days. Depending on the brands and systems, the capsules can be reused indefinitely or have a minimum of about 100 uses. Finally, note that this method of preparation exempts you from an emission of around 15 kg of greenhouse gases.

How to make delicious coffee with a French press coffee pot?

The preparation method using a French press intensifies the taste of the drink and allows you to benefit from the richness of the components. It offers better control over brewing time and grinding for the preparation of various types of beverages. This process also bears the name of French Press and is carried out as follows:

• Bring the water to a boil and let stand for about 30 seconds
• Pour at the bottom of the receptacle 7 grams of medium or coarse grind coffee for 1 cup
• Then add the hot water, making sure to leave an empty space of 3 cm at the top of the container
• Stir for a couple of seconds
• Let it infuse for 1 to 5 minutes depending on the intensity you want to give to the drink
• Carefully insert the plunger in a straight line
• Apply pressure on the handle to lower the piston relatively to the bottom of the container
• Carefully hold the glass container to prevent spillage of the preparation
• Then fill your bottle or cup with your beverage

Note that the temperature for your drink is 93°. Unlike an Italian coffee maker, the French press can be cleaned with a small amount of solid dish soap. Remember to disassemble your device and then let the components dry completely. Finally, you can proceed with assembly before storing the equipment for future use.

What other ways to make coffee?

Apart from the methods mentioned, several methods also make it possible to make this drink. Among the many possibilities that exist, we can list:

• The Arab or Turkish method: it consists of boiling the drink 3 times before consumption
• The classic process: simpler, it boils down to pouring hot water over coarse grinds. Similar to the piston method, this process is inconvenient in that it is less easy to separate the undissolved parts and the infusion
• The decoction: it consists of mixing the ground coffee in cold water and then boiling everything in a machine or a saucepan
• The method without a coffee maker: it requires the use of a tea towel or a clean, lightly colored cloth as well as paper clips

Finally, you have the option of using a filter holder to make your drink.

What is the difference between a short coffee and a long coffee?

The main point of distinction between a short coffee and one of the long type is in the level of caffeine content. The first preparation is also called Ristretto or espresso (extracted quickly or by pressure). It therefore contains less caffeine than the long preparation.

Also, an espresso differs from a long coffee through the intensity of its aroma and its full-bodied taste. Because it contains a small amount of water, espresso releases few substances such as caffeine. In contrast, the elongated preparation or Lungo contains relatively more water than an espresso. This promotes the diffusion of caffeine in high proportion within the drink. Although the concentration of caffeine remains low, it causes a stimulating effect on the body.

You will have noticed, there are a thousand and one possibilities when you want to make a coffee. Choosing the right way will depend on your budget, your desired taste, and how much preparation time is convenient for you. Finally, keep in mind that the choice of beans is just as important as the process of making your beverage.