Find Your Perfect Brewing Method
Discover which brewing method suits your lifestyle, taste and routine. From French Press and Pour Over to Espresso Machines, we'll help you choose the perfect way to brew coffee at home.
Every brewing method creates a different coffee experience. Some highlight delicate flavours and clarity, while others produce rich, full-bodied coffee. Some suit slow weekend rituals, others are designed for speed and convenience.
There is no single best way to brew coffee. The right choice is the one that fits your lifestyle and the way you enjoy your coffee.
Compare Brewing Methods
| Brewing Method | Body | Clarity | Brew Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Press | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | 4–6 min | Easy |
| Pour Over | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 3–5 min | Medium |
| Chemex | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 5–7 min | Medium |
| AeroPress | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | 2–3 min | Easy |
| Filter Machine | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | 5–10 min | Easy |
| Capsules | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | 30 sec | Very Easy |
| Espresso | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | 30 sec | Advanced |
What Makes Every Brewing Method Different?
There isn't a single "best" way to brew coffee.
Every brewing method extracts coffee differently, changing the body, sweetness, clarity and overall character of your cup. The same coffee beans can taste noticeably different depending on how they're brewed.
Some methods create a rich, full-bodied coffee with deep flavour, while others highlight delicate tasting notes, brightness and clarity.
The best brewing method isn't the most expensive or the one used by professionals. It's the one that fits your lifestyle, your routine and the way you enjoy your coffee.
Now, let's explore each brewing method and discover which one is right for you.
How Does the Coffee Actually Taste?
Different brewing methods emphasise different parts of the same coffee.
A French Press creates a richer, heavier cup with more body and depth. Pour Over and Chemex produce a cleaner, brighter coffee that makes delicate tasting notes easier to notice. AeroPress gives a smooth, balanced cup, while Espresso creates a concentrated, intense flavour with a fuller mouthfeel.
The method you choose will shape how much sweetness, clarity, acidity and body you experience in every cup.
French Press
Perfect for:
Those who enjoy taking their time over coffee and appreciate a rich, full-bodied cup.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect a bold, rounded coffee with a heavy body, smooth mouthfeel and deep chocolate, nutty and caramel notes. Because the coffee's natural oils remain in the cup, French Press produces one of the richest brewing experiences.
Brew Time:
4–6 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
Best suited to:
- Rich, full-bodied coffee
- Slow mornings
- Brewing for one or two people
- Medium and dark roast coffees
Pour Over (V60)
Perfect for:
Coffee lovers who enjoy clarity, precision and discovering the unique character of each coffee.
Coffee you'll experience:
Pour Over produces a clean, vibrant cup that highlights sweetness, delicate fruit notes and floral aromas. It allows the natural characteristics of the coffee bean to shine through with exceptional clarity.
Brew Time:
3–5 minutes
Difficulty:
Medium
Best suited to:
- Light and medium roast coffees
- Single Origin coffees
- Bright, clean flavours
- Brewing one or two cups
Chemex
Perfect for:
Those who enjoy making coffee part of the experience and brewing for family or friends.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect an exceptionally clean, smooth and refined cup. The Chemex's thicker paper filters remove more oils and sediment, allowing delicate sweetness, floral aromas and subtle fruit notes to take centre stage.
Brew Time:
5–7 minutes
Difficulty:
Medium
Best suited to:
- Brewing for two or more people
- Weekend mornings
- Light and medium roast coffees
- Coffee lovers who appreciate clarity and elegance
Filter Coffee Machine
Perfect for:
Busy mornings, larger households and anyone who wants consistently great coffee with minimal effort.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect a smooth, balanced cup with a clean finish. Filter coffee machines produce consistent results, making them perfect for everyday drinking while preserving the natural flavours and aromas of your coffee.
Brew Time:
5–10 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
Best suited to:
- Everyday coffee drinkers
- Brewing multiple cups
- Families and busy households
- Medium roast coffees
AeroPress
Perfect for:
Coffee lovers who want exceptional coffee wherever they are, whether at home, travelling or in the office.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect a smooth, balanced cup with low bitterness and excellent sweetness. The AeroPress is incredibly versatile, allowing you to brew anything from a clean filter-style coffee to a richer, more concentrated cup depending on your preferred recipe.
Brew Time:
2–3 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
Best suited to:
- Travel and camping
- Office coffee
- Brewing one cup at a time
- Medium and light roast coffees
Coffee Capsules
Perfect for:
Those who want exceptional coffee with maximum convenience, whether it's before work, during a busy day or whenever time is limited.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect a smooth, balanced espresso-style coffee with consistent flavour in every cup. Coffee capsules are designed to deliver speed and convenience without compromising on quality, making them ideal for everyday coffee lovers.
Brew Time:
30–60 seconds
Difficulty
Very Easy
Best suited to
- Busy mornings
- One cup at a time
- Espresso-style coffee
- Convenience without compromise
Espresso Machine
Perfect for:
Coffee enthusiasts who want complete control over every cup and enjoy creating café-quality coffee at home.
Coffee you'll experience:
Expect a rich, concentrated coffee with a velvety body, balanced sweetness and a distinctive crema. An espresso machine unlocks the full character of your coffee and forms the perfect base for flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes and americanos.
Brew Time:
30–60 seconds per shot
Difficulty
Advanced
Best suited to
- Espresso lovers
- Flat whites, Cappuccinos & Lattes
- Medium and dark roast coffees
- Those who enjoy mastering the art of coffee
Expert Brewing Tips
The best coffee doesn't come from expensive equipment alone. Freshly roasted coffee, the correct grind size, good quality water and the right brewing method all play an equally important role.
For consistently great coffee, remember these simple principles:
✔ Always use freshly roasted coffee.
✔ Match your grind size to your brewing method.
✔ Use filtered water whenever possible.
✔ Brew with water between 92°C and 96°C.
✔ Clean your brewing equipment regularly to maintain flavour.
Small changes can make a remarkable difference to every cup.
"Great coffee isn't about following rules. It's about discovering the ritual you'll look forward to every single day."
— Luxe Kopi
Brew Your Way
There is no single "perfect" way to brew coffee.
The best brewing method is the one that suits your lifestyle, your routine and the way you enjoy every cup. Whether you prefer the rich body of a French Press, the clarity of a Pour Over, the convenience of a Filter Coffee Machine or the precision of an Espresso Machine, every method offers a unique coffee experience.
Finding the right brewing method is the first step. Pairing it with the right coffee is where the real journey begins.
Your Brewing Journey Starts Here
Find Your Perfect Coffee
Now that you've discovered the brewing method that's right for you, let us help you find the perfect coffee to match.
Explore our Find Your Perfect Coffee guide to discover the blends, single origins and speciality coffees best suited to your taste and brewing style.
Freshly roasted in the UK. Created for every brewing method. Enjoyed your way.
Call us on 020 8087 1932 to speak with a coffee expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing the right brewing method for your coffee.
Which brewing method is best for beginners?
French Press, Filter Coffee Machines and Coffee Capsules are all excellent choices for beginners. They're simple to use, require very little technique and consistently produce great coffee.
Which brewing method makes the strongest coffee?
Espresso produces the most concentrated coffee thanks to its pressure-based extraction. If you enjoy a richer, fuller-bodied cup, a French Press is another excellent choice.
Which brewing method produces the smoothest coffee?
Pour Over and Chemex produce exceptionally clean, smooth coffee by filtering out more oils while highlighting the coffee's natural sweetness and delicate tasting notes.
Can I use the same coffee for every brewing method?
Yes. Most speciality coffees can be brewed using different methods, although each brewing style will highlight different characteristics. The same coffee may taste brighter as a Pour Over or richer in a French Press.
Do I need different grind sizes?
Yes. Each brewing method performs best with a specific grind size. French Press uses a coarse grind, Pour Over a medium grind, Espresso a fine grind, while Coffee Capsules are ready to use.
Which brewing method is quickest?
Coffee Capsules and Espresso Machines produce coffee in under a minute, making them ideal for busy mornings or when convenience is your priority.
Does brewing method really change the taste?
Absolutely. Brewing method influences body, sweetness, acidity, clarity and aroma. Choosing the right brewing method is just as important as choosing great coffee.
