Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 1:59pm Subject: ? which coffee <-- // --> which brew method ?
I'm regularly amazed how a certain coffee can be exceptional brewed one way, but the very same coffee will turn out merely mediocre in another brew method.
For example, I consistently find dry-processed Ethiopias to be best as full-infusion (i.e., cupping, French Press, Eva Cafe Solo, vacuum with glass rod) and sometimes really good from the stovetop Bialetti. Yet that same DP Ethiopia turns out quite anonymous as drip.
Contrariwise, I often find elegant, wet-processed Guats, Costa Ricas, and some Kenyas to be most brilliant, crisp, and stunning dripped. Then those can be "murky," "confused" in full-infusion.
These are generalizations, but they are patterns I've noticed.
I'd like to hear what others have found with specific coffees.
ChemistryNerd Senior Member Joined: 20 Dec 2010 Posts: 128 Location: Nebraska Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Doser Drip: Aeropress and French Press Roaster: My Local Roaster(s), and...
Posted Fri Feb 4, 2011, 3:58pm Subject: Re: ? which coffee <-- // --> which brew method ?
I think just about every Central/South American coffee is best in pourover. I actually bought a V60 just for them. I prefer African and Indonesian coffees in a french press, and Central/South American in a pourover.
Contrary to my preference, I brewed a PNG in my pourover, and I actually prefer it that way. I think light, fruity, acidic coffees take well to pourover with a finer grind.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 5,424 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sat Feb 5, 2011, 10:37am Subject: Re: ? which coffee <-- // --> which brew method ?
lifeandpeace Said:
I'm regularly amazed how a certain coffee can be exceptional brewed one way, but the very same coffee will turn out merely mediocre in another brew method.
For example, I consistently find dry-processed Ethiopias to be best as full-infusion (i.e., cupping, French Press, Eva Cafe Solo, vacuum with glass rod) and sometimes really good from the stovetop Bialetti. Yet that same DP Ethiopia turns out quite anonymous as drip.
Since espresso is what I drink probably 98 percent of the time, I cannot say I've thought about this too much -- however . . .
Red Bird has been offering a dry-processed Ethiopian Amaro Gayo, which I initially bought to try as an SO espresso. I was quite disappointed actually. Then I tried it using my CCD -- which, while drip, is indeed a "full-imersion" method. I was blown away, and have now gone through I don't know how many pounds of the stuff! Truly wonderful coffee . . .
So in my limited contemplation of this, I wholeheartedly agree with your premise.
derevaun Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 105 Location: Olympia, WA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Shoes and wallet Grinder: Hario Mini, Baratza Maestro Vac Pot: Yama 5c Drip: Clever, BCM4 Roaster: My neighbor's Diedrich
Posted Sat Feb 5, 2011, 1:27pm Subject: Re: ? which coffee <-- // --> which brew method ?
ChemistryNerd Said:
I think just about every Central/South American coffee is best in pourover.
-snip-
Contrary to my preference, I brewed a PNG in my pourover, and I actually prefer it that way. I think light, fruity, acidic coffees take well to pourover with a finer grind.
I tend to agree. I like the typical Central/South Americans with a "clean cup" brewing method. PNG has always tasted really close to those, presumably due to the processing of the PNG's I've encountered.
I like the pairing of a Sumatra with the press pot's potential to make a messy, obtuse cup with a thick mouthfeel. And I've mostly gotten fail when trying to brew Sumatra at lower than perfect temperatures.
Of course, it's fun to find ways to make a coffee play against type, especially the varieties that are distinctive, one-face-forward beans.
What I would love to learn is, what brewing method can make Ethiopian Yirgacheffe balance out to something less winey?
BennyAdeline Senior Member Joined: 7 Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Feb 6, 2011, 10:41am Subject: Re: ? which coffee <-- // --> which brew method ?
I'm in the process of trying to figure it out so far. I've got a CCD and a V60 and am still trying to get both wired down. I grind with a skerton. I am finding that my V60 makes a way brighter cup than my CCD, which produces sweet and rich brews. I am currently drinking the Intelli Eros Blend. I have only made it on the clever so far and it seems a little muted. My next cup will be on the V60 to see how it comes out.
I think it varies bean to bean, regardless of origin.
Any other brew methods I should add to my collection?
Well, since you only have pourovers, I would reccomend a french press and an aeropress. I have in my coffee repertoire 2 Hario Hand Mills, an Aeropress, a V60, 2 French Press, and a Zojirushi Drip Coffee Maker.
The aeropress is incredibly convenient. After the water boils, coffee literally takes about 30 seconds, and cleanup takes about 3 seconds. It also only costs ~20 dollars. If youve hever had french pressed coffee, it's worth a shot also. I really like Sumatra, Uganda, Dark Columbian, and Kenya Coffees in my press.
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