Table of Contents
Introduction
A very simple type of coffee brew that most coffee lovers want to drink and prefer over other brewing known as drip coffee. It is actually very simple and easy to make but this brewing method needs preciseness too. Every coffee consumer knows that a little kind of mistake or negligence can ruin the entire coffee taste and the same thinking is present for drip coffee.
Almost every drip coffee lover and especially those people who are going to make this coffee for the first time, never wants to ruin their experience and because of that, they are searching for all the important factors regarding how to make drip coffee.
This article is especially created for that purpose. Here we are going to explore all the necessary information regarding how to make drip coffee.
What is drip coffee
Before going towards how to make drip coffee, first we have to explore what drip coffee actually is. Drip coffee is defined as a classical brewing method of coffee in which coffee grounds are placed on a filter and hot water is poured over it. This hot water flow will help out in the extraction of essential oil and create taste in coffee and in the end, you will collect a perfect cup of coffee.
Many people love it because of its fast and easy to make steps but remember, it is not as easy as you think. In the below sections, we will discuss the factors that you have to consider for making drip coffee.
Manual drip coffee maker VS Automatic drip coffee maker
The second important parameter of how to make drip coffee is to understand the types of appliances that you will use for making a perfect drip coffee.
So, for making drip coffee, two appliances are commonly used known as a manual drip coffee maker (pour over) and an automatic drip coffee maker. Let’s explore both.
Manual drip coffee maker (Pour over)
A manual drip coffee maker also known as a pour-over coffee maker, is a very common and simple appliance. It just contains a container and a filter and involves pouring water on ground coffee in a circular direction manually.
It does not require any electricity but requires more control over temperature, the pouring process and strength.
Automatic drip coffee maker
Unlike manual ones, automatic drip coffee makers are very well known and commonly used appliances in homes and offices. From start to end, it is fully automatic, no manual effort is needed.
It required electricity but it can provide complete control over temperature, pouring process and strength.
Required things
Ingredient
- Coffee beans
- Water
Equipment
- Coffee grinder
- Drip coffee maker
- Coffee grinder (Optional)
- Filter
- Measuring tools like kitchen scale, measuring cup or spoon.
Steps guide of how to make drip coffee
Now, the steps of how to make drip coffee are given below.
Selecting the right coffee beans
The first and most important step is choosing the right coffee beans. It is dependent on three factors. Freshness, type of beans and roast level.
Freshness
Not only for drip coffee but the selection of right coffee beans is necessary for every type of brewing. Fresh coffee beans provide you an overall quality experience, like the best taste with a delightful aroma.
So, always try to select whole beans with 2 to 4 weeks of roasting and always preserve them in an airtight container to prevent their freshness from diminishing.
Coffee bean type
Single origin beans are a priority for drip coffee beans because of their distinct flavor. Coffee beans that have come from one region or location are called single origin. But sometimes people want some balanced flavor then you can also try blended beans, which are created by mixing different regions’ beans.
Roast level
Selecting coffee beans with the right roast type is also important.
- If you go for light roast beans, then it will provide a more acidic, bright flavor.
- If you select medium roast beans, then it will provide a moderate taste with a smooth flavor.
- If you want a low acidic and strong, smoky taste, then go towards dark roast beans.
Grinding the coffee
Secondly, the step of how to make drip coffee is grinding. The grinding size of coffee beans is directly impacted by coffee taste. Too coarse and too fine will cause under and over extraction. For making perfect drip coffee, a medium grind size, like sea salt texture, is always preferable.
Many people thinking to escape this step just bought pre ground coffee. Pre ground coffee is convenient and it will save you time but remember, it will not provide you with an excellent aroma. Also, pre ground coffee has a specific size, like too fine or too coarse, which will ruin your taste. Try to go towards fresh ground coffee. This will provide your freshness factor and also the grinding size is in your control.
Selecting coffee to water ratio
The third step of how to make drip coffee is selecting the coffee to water ratio. Choosing the accurate ratio is one of the most important factors in making a perfect drip coffee and people become masters of making drip coffee if they understand it perfectly.
So, the ideal range of coffee to water ratio, based on the preferable taste, is given in the table below.
| Preferable taste | Ratio |
| If you want a bold and strong drip coffee. | 1:15 (one gram of coffee with 15 gram of water) |
| If you want a smooth and balanced drip coffee. | 1:16 (one gram of coffee with 16 gram of water) |
| If you want a light taste in your drip coffee. | 1:17 (one gram of coffee with 17 gram of water) |
You can measure it by using kitchen scale, table spoon or measuring cup.
Note: Other factors like grind size, temperature and brewing time period can also impacting on your selecting ratio.
Put filter on coffee maker and Add coffee grounds
After selecting the ratio, the next step of how to make drip coffee is to put the filter on the coffee maker or if you are making manual drip coffee then put the filter over a flask or cup. After that, add the amount of coffee grounds that you selected in the previous step to the filter.
Add water to the reservoir
In case of using an automatic drip coffee maker
If you are using an automatic drip coffee maker, then you have to fill your coffee maker’s reservoir. Pour over the amount of fresh water in the reservoir that you selected in the previous step.
In case of making drip coffee manually
But if you are making drip coffee manually, then heat the selected amount of water up to 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
Brewing process
In case of using automatic drip coffee
Several drip coffee makers, especially automatic ones, provide you with an overall command of the brewing process. They are capable of brewing coffee by themselves and personal monitoring is not required if you are using an automatic appliance. All you have to do is press the brew button and the machine starts brewing.
In case of making drip coffee manually
If you are making drip coffee on your own, then you have to add some additional effort for brewing. Firstly, you have to pour the water that is heated in the previous step over the coffee grounds that are present on the filter. Wait for 30 to 45 seconds for the escape of CO₂, then again pour water over the coffee grounds in a circular direction for perfect extraction.
This is the last step of how to make drip coffee, when you are pouring hot water over coffee grounds, it will extract flavor and aroma along with the flow of water. Collect this beverage in a bowl, cup or mug. Hence, your delightful drip coffee cups are ready to serve.