How Long Does It Take To Make Coffee Using Different Brewing Methods?

From high-end cafes to the corner coffee shop, there is no shortage of places to grab a cup of joe. However, while some people love their fancy espresso machines and pour-over coffee, many like to brew their coffee at home. 

Whether you're making your own at home or in a café, it is essential to understand the different methods and what they can do for you. 

In this post, we’ll talk about the other brewing methods and how they can impact the taste and smell of your coffee. 

Brewing Methods

To try and understand how each method affects the coffee, we have outlined the steps using a typical brewing method. It may help give you an idea of how each technique works.

French Press

French press brewing is the oldest of all the methods. It’s been around for millennia and provides a consistently delicious cup of coffee with each pull.

The French Press uses a "steeping" procedure rather than "brewing." Simply said, the coffee grinds are soaked in hot water, allowed to do their work, and then separated from the coffee.

Although French Press coffee is easy to grasp, perfecting it can take some effort. If you soak your coffee for too long, it will become harsh and bitter, while removing the grinds too soon can result in a weak and uninspired cup. 

When making French Press coffee, one thing to keep in mind is that you should use coarsely ground beans and be sure that they are fresh.

Also, it is advisable to keep the grinds and hot water separate until the brewing process begins. Many people do not realize this, but adding water to the grinds can cause them to over-extract. If you follow these tips closely, you can make a great cup of French Press coffee every time.

Brewing Time: French Press coffee makers steep the ground coffee in just-under-brewed water, which must then settle for a bit.

Overall, you should be able to enjoy your delicious and fresh French Press coffee. In less than 10 minutes (including boiling, steeping, and plunging).

Skill Required: While perfecting your French Press coffee may require a few practices runs, it doesn’t take long to master.

Grind: To guarantee that all coffee bean particles are eliminated from the brewed coffee, you need a coarse grind for French Press coffees.

If you grind your coffee too fine, it will become stuck in the filter, resulting in a gritty, over-steeped, and bitter beverage.

Taste of coffee: As a result of this coffee brewing process, you will get a unique-tasting and aromatic coffee with a robust, non-harsh flavour.

The beans you use will have a significant impact on the flavour of your French Press, so experiment to discover the right tastes for your mug. 

Espresso Machine

The espresso machine is the real deal if you’re looking for a fast and easy brewing method. These brewing systems force pressurized water through a chamber of finely ground coffee beans, extracting the coffee and collecting it in a mug or carafe at the end.

Espresso machines may appear to be an expensive and indulgent buy, but the price varies greatly depending on the features you want in your coffee machine! The vital thing to note with espresso machines is that they are not all made equal.

Espresso machines harness the power of pressure and extraction to create a rich and full-bodied cup that you can straight away.

The grounds are forced through this process at pressures above 10 bars and temperatures above 212 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius), making each cup a unique flavour experience.

Brewing Time: The amount of time it takes to brew depends on your machine. Some commercial choices can take up to 40 minutes to warm up before making the first cup of coffee of the day, whereas a home machine takes typically around 3 minutes to wake up.

Most models, however, will produce your brew in 20-30 seconds once the coffee maker is turned on!

Skill Requirement: This, too, varies depending on your machine. Super-automatic choices can make delicious coffee at the touch of a button, while others may require more effort.

Grind: Most espresso machines require a fine, consistent grind.

Taste of coffee: As a result, espresso machines are the only way to prepare authentic espresso—firm, crisp, and oozing with coffee flavour. Add hot water to your espresso or frothed milk to make a latte or cappuccino to make an Americano. 

Moka Pot 

Moka pots employ a three-chambered brew technique to make the perfect cup of coffee:

Fill the bottom chamber with water and the filter with ground coffee, then place everything on the stovetop.

When the water boils, steam forces the water up through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber, where you’ll discover delicious, freshly brewed coffee.

This coffee brewing method doesn't have the same flavour profile as an espresso shot, but it has a fantastic robust flavour that coffee lovers will like.

Brewing Time: A Moka pot will produce a fully brewed cup of coffee in only 5 minutes as the water begins to boil.

Required Skill: You won’t need any formal barista training to make a great Moka pot coffee, but finding the right grind may take trial and error. After a few practices runs, you’ll be a pro at using the Moka pot!

Grind: The grind for MokaMoka pot coffee is the trickiest part: it needs to be coarser than an espresso machine grinds yet finer than drip coffee. There may be some trial and error may involve here, but if your brew is too weak, it means it is under-extracted, and you will need a finer grind. 

On the other hand, if the coffee is excessively bitter, it has been over-extracted, and you should grind it a little coarser.

Taste of coffee: A Moka pot will make coffee that is crisp, smooth, and robust, akin to an espresso shot. The process will result in a rich, full-bodied brew perfect for those cold winter mornings! 

AeroPress

The AeroPress may appear to be a science experiment, but it is one of the most fool-proof ways to make delicious coffee with minimal effort. AeroPress brewers are just three parts: the AeroPress, a filter, and an AeroPress Stir Stick.

If you've never used AeroPress, you'll be blown away by the variety of coffees you can make with it. It also makes a great cold brew and "almost-espresso." 

Brewing Time: Once your water is heated, brewing time can be as low as 60 seconds, depending on the AeroPress you choose! There’s also no need to be concerned about cleanup.

Required Skill: After mastering the basics of your AeroPress, you will be able to do everything from drinking a cup of coffee out of the device to brewing a delicious cup of espresso. 

Many variables move this brewing technique along, but it's best as an off-the-shelf method with minimal setup and cleanup. 

Grind: To get the best results with your AeroPress, be sure to grind your coffee appropriately. The finer you grind it, the more likely you will experience an over-extraction of the coffee. The coarser your grind, the more likely you will share under-extraction and an unevenly extracted product.

Taste of coffee: The AeroPress creates a rich and bold coffee perfect for those who prefer a dark roast and are full-bodied.

Cold brew

Cold-brew is a process that combines the convenience of a coffee maker with the great taste of cold-brewed coffee.

Cold brewing allows you to make your coffee from ground beans in water. The result is a full-bodied and robust cup that you can enjoy anywhere, all day long.

Like other brewing methods, Cold-brew has different strengths for different users. It produces a smooth, clean cup of coffee; however, it can be weaker than an espresso shot. It can also take up to 24 hours to brew.

Brewing Time: The length of time depends on the water ratio to the coffee you choose. A typical cold brew recipe calls for 2 quarts of water to 1/2 pound of ground coffee.

It will take a minimum time of 12 hours and as long as 24 hours to create your cold-brewed coffee! 

You can also speed up your process by using a French press which cuts brewing time in half.

Required Skill: All you need to cold-brew coffee is a bucket and a coffee filter. The process is straightforward, requiring no special equipment or elaborate procedures.

However, you will want to ensure that your coffee grounds are coarsely ground. Also, make sure that the water you're using is filtered or distilled water instead of tap water!

Grind: The bigger the grind, the stronger your coffee will be. If you want your coffee to be balanced between flavorful and smooth, avoid a grind that is too fine. You can also experiment and see what works best for you as every individual’s taste buds are different.

Taste of coffee: Cold-brew will result in a sweeter cup of coffee that is rich and unique.

Electric Drip Coffee

When it comes to convenience, electric drip coffee is unbeatable. First, grind your beans and add them to water in a coffee pot.

Then you sit back, relax, and let the machine do all of the work! You can get a perfect cup of hot or cold coffee every time by using different settings on your drip coffee maker. 

Brewing Time: A good drip coffee maker will take 3-10 minutes to complete a whole drip cycle. Using this approach, the more coffee you make with a giant machine and the length of time the device has been running (how hot the water is) will affect the brewing time.

Skills required: Drip coffee machines can be as complicated or as simple as you want them to be. However, once you've identified the correct coffee beans for your preferred brew, they're easy to master.

Grind: You’ll want a medium-fine grind, depending on the make and model of your drip coffee maker. It’s usually a good idea to aim for the coarseness of granulated sugar as a starting point.

Taste of coffee: While electric drip coffee makers are unlikely to wow coffee connoisseurs, they are a reliable, practical, and acceptable way to get a caffeine fix when you need it most. The coffee they brew is smooth and full-bodied.

Keurig 2.0

The Keurig 2.0 is a convenient, efficient, and affordable machine that makes a single cup of coffee at a time.

This process involves brewing just the right amount of water over fresh coffee grounds to create the perfect cup with minimal effort on your part. 

It’s like having your barista in your kitchen! While commercial models are available, the home-use Keurig 2.

Pour-over

Pour-over brewing is one of the most versatile ways to create rich, flavorful coffee at home. Like all other methods, Pour-overs require a bit of prep, but it’s easy and intuitive once you have the equipment. 

The main components are a filter, a pitcher for water and pour (or pour cone), and the coffee! If you've never brewed pour-over coffee before, it's best to start with an inexpensive model and buy better filters as you become more experienced. 

Brewing Time: Depending on the type of equipment you use, it can take from 3 to 5 minutes to make a cup of pour-over coffee. This method is directly connected to your technique. The longer you brew or, the hotter the water, your coffee will be more robust.

Skills required: You’ll need a few items for this brewing method, including a filter cone (or another vessel), filter, and coffee/water ratio tools. 

Grind: A coarse grind is the most straightforward and forgiving method for brewing pour-over coffee. If you’re not very familiar with making an appropriate pour-over brew, start with a medium grind and work your way up as necessary. 

Along with finding the right tools for this brewing method, learning how to tamp should also be part of your training. It's also beneficial to practice in a small glass before putting everything you own at risk.

Taste of Coffee: The intensity of a pour-over depends on how finely ground your filter is. A paper filter will result in a weak, watery coffee, while a metal mesh cone will take you to the next taste level. 

Coffee beans

Starting with the appropriate beans, regardless of the brewing method, will always make the difference between a good, flavorful cup of coffee and one that’s weak, harsh, and uninteresting. 

Look for beans as close to being roasted as possible, and grind the amount you need right before brewing. 

It will ensure that your coffee beans maintain as much flavour as possible, ensuring that you have a delightful cup every time. 

Coffee grinders

Once you’ve chosen your coffee beans, an excellent way to get them into your grinder is to purchase a coffee mill and use it for the process.

Coffee beans are usually purchased in bulk, but with various ways to brew coffee, there's no one correct way to grind them. 

Whether you have a manual or electric grinder, single or double action, it will quickly become apparent which type works best for you. One thing is for sure: it’s a good idea to avoid buying pre-ground coffee if you can help it! 

Which brewing method takes the longest for coffee?

Drip coffee makers take 3 to 10 minutes, while coffeemakers typically take 2.5 to 4.5 minutes.

How long does it take to brew a coffee?

Brewing takes between 3 to 10 minutes. This is the case with any coffee maker. Be mindful of how long it takes you to make your morning coffee, and adjust the time to suit your needs.

Which is the easiest and quickest method of making coffee?

In the end, it depends on what you prefer. When you’re first starting out, espresso machines can be intimidating, but they’re also incredibly popular. If you ask someone to grind your coffee beans for you and walk away, good things will happen. If you have no idea how to use a machine, stick with drip coffee makers—they’re easier to use than espresso machines for most people.

How do different brewing methods affect coffee?

Steeping grounds in hot water (like boiling or steaming) results in lighter, brighter-tasting coffee. Blending freshly roasted coffee beans and water together results in a bolder, more robust flavor. Like cooking meat or vegetables together, blending two different beans can result in unique new combinations. You can blend coffees from different regions, or you can blend them with other ingredients to create new tastes and textures. For example, you might blend espresso with condensed milk for a richer taste than regular coffee.

What method produces the strongest coffee?

While there are more differences than similarities between coffee brewing methods, the two most significant are steaming and French Press.

How long does it take to make a Barista coffee?

Barista coffee takes 4 to 5 minutes to make. If you’re using a single-serve machine, this is the amount of time it takes to brew a single cup of coffee.

What is the healthiest way to brew coffee?

Freshly roasted coffee beans are the healthiest way to brew coffee, as the full flavor of each bean is not lost quickly when brewed. Steaming, which uses water that’s been heated up to just above boiling point and held at that temperature for a short time, produces the lightest brew.

Can you steep coffee too long?

Steeping coffee that has been ground too finely can affect its flavor, as well as its aroma. As a general rule of thumb, the more coffee you use, the longer you should let it sit.

Why is it important to know the different types of brewing methods?

The right type of coffee maker is essential to getting the best possible coffee at home. While drip machines are great for creating a consistent brew, espresso machines or French presses can produce the perfect cup on the first try.
Whether you’re looking for an alternative to your favorite handheld drip brewer, or you want to experiment with an entirely new way of making coffee, we have a machine to suit your needs.

The Takeaway

Coffee is as varied as the people who drink it. There are an unlimited number of ways to brew coffee, and every individual will have their preferences. Some people enjoy a smooth and balanced cup, while others prefer a bracingly strong flavour. 

As you experiment with different options and find out what works (and doesn't work) for you, don't be afraid to change things up a bit. 

It will help you learn which brew methods, brewing times and beans work best for you and how to make sure that those brews are consistently delicious.

I hope you enjoy your coffee, and I'm sure that this article has helped you find a better way to brew your favourite beverage!

FAQs

What is the best way to store coffee beans for a few months?

If you want to enjoy your coffee for more than a few weeks, use a vacuum-sealed bag. They are available at cooking stores and grocery stores.

The vacuum seal will keep the beans protected from air, moisture, and light, thus extending their shelf life and tasting them fresh.

Why does coffee lose flavour when kept for a long time?

Because coffee is highly absorbent, its flavours can be easily picked up by its aroma. So when storing coffee, you should make sure to keep it in a place where other flavours won’t contaminate. 

The best way to store coffee is to use a vacuum-sealed bag or an air-tight container. You can also keep your beans in the dark place, far away from heat and light.

What is the best way to grind coffee?

If you’re grinding your coffee at home, a manual grinder can be your best bet. They’re inexpensive and produce a consistent grind every time. When buying a manual grinder, make sure it’s made of stainless steel. 

Burr grinders with conical or flat burrs work the best as they provide consistent grinds and a varying level of coarseness for different kinds of brews.