• Lower Price

  • 2 year warranty

  • Less Waste

0

Shopping cart

There are currently no items in your shopping cart.

    Reading time: 5 Min

    How to Make Coffee: 6 Ways to Brew the Perfect Coffee at Home


    It’s no secret that coffee lovers view making coffee as more of a daily ritual than a mere caffeine boost. So, understanding how to brew coffee is an essential skill. But with so many different ways of making coffee, it can be confusing to know what’s the best way to make coffee at home. No worries – we’ll talk you through six methods. Discover the best temp to brew coffee at, how much ground coffee per cup, and barista tips to ensure delicious coffee with every sip. 

    There are plenty of ways to learn how to make coffee at home. The method you choose may depend on the equipment you have, the type of coffee you like, and the amount of time you want to spend making coffee. Here are our top methods for how to brew coffee:

    1. Automatic drip coffee machine


    If you want to know how to make good coffee at home that is consistent, easy, and can make multiple servings, this technique is a great one to start with.

     

    Fill the water reservoir with cold water from a filter jug, using the markings to measure the water. The standard coffee brewing ratio of coffee to water is about 2 tablespoons for every 180ml of water.

     

    Helpful hack: Using whole beans? Grind them as close to brewing time as possible for optimal taste and freshness.

     

    Place your filter in the basket. Grind your fresh beans until they’re roughly the size of sand and add to the filter. Turn on the machine and wait for the water to drip through the grounds into the pot.

     

    Barista tip: Rinse your filter papers with hot water to remove any chemicals before brewing.


    Benefits of automatic drip machines:
     

    • Easy to use with a fully-automated process
    • Convenient to clean
    • Ideal for brewing large batches of coffee
    • customisable brewing options

    2. Cafetiere

     

    Some consider a cafetiere the best way to brew coffee. Since it doesn’t use filters it allows coffee grounds to seep in, which can create a fuller, smoother, richer taste.

     

    To make coffee this way, bring the water towards a boil and then let it sit for 30 seconds – the ideal coffee brewing temperature is 93°C.

     

    Helpful hack: Aim for a coarse grind with the consistency and size of sea salt.

     

    Add your ground coffee to the bottom of the cafetiere and slowly pour in the water. Let the plunger sit just above the water for a few minutes. Slowly press it down to push the grounds to the bottom.

     

    Barista tip: If you don’t drink the coffee immediately, pour it into another jug – otherwise it’ll continue to brew and become bitter.


    Advantages and disadvantages of cafetiere:

     

    Advantages

    • Full control over the size and type of coffee grounds and temperature to suit your preferences 
    • The brewing process brings out the natural oils for a flavourful cup 
    • Takes up minimal kitchen space 

     

    Disadvantages

    • Time-consuming to clean 
    • Requires time and effort for brewing 
    • Some designs are fragile 

    3. Italian moka pot

     

    When it comes to how to make coffee at home, an Italian moka pot works by passing boiling water through coffee grounds at high pressure. Again, the best temp to brew coffee in a moka pot is 93°C.

     

    If you want to know how to make good coffee at home with a moka pot, remember to keep your grounds fresh and clean the pot regularly. Fill the base of the pot with filtered water, add the ground coffee into the metal filter basket and screw on the top.

     

    So, how much coffee per cup is required for moka pot brewing? A good rule of thumb is to use one and a half tablespoons of coffee per cup.  

     

    Helpful hack: Aim for coffee grounds slightly coarser than espresso but finer than for a cafetiere.

     

    Place the moka pot on the hob and wait until you hear a puffing sound. Once the steam from the pot turns light in colour, remove it from the heat.

     

    Barista tip: Don’t tamp the grounds! They should be loosely packed to avoid over-extraction and bitter coffee.

     

    Pros and cons of using a moka pot:

     

    Pros

    • Typically more affordable than an automatic coffee machine or espresso machine 
    • Brews strong coffee 
    • Compact design 

     

    Cons

    • Requires a stovetop  
    • Takes some practice and skill to use 
    • The process can be hazardous 

    What you need

    4. Manual espresso machine

     

    A certain level of expertise is required to use a manual machine: you must set the water temperature, clean the portafilter, correctly tamp the coffee and, sometimes, grind the coffee yourself. It can take trial and error to determine grounds that aren’t too coarse or too fine. Likewise, you must tamp the grounds just right to avoid extracting too quickly or not extracting enough.

     

    All of this means it’s the best way to make coffee at home only if you already have quite a bit of experience.

     

    Helpful hack: For the best results, pre-heat the portafilter by running hot water through it.

     

    Benefits of a manual espresso machine

    • More precision and control over the espresso extraction process 
    • More control allows for a more personalized experience 

    5. Fully automatic coffee machine

     

    A fully automatic coffee machine does as its name suggests: it makes coffee effortlessly at the push of a button, grinds the beans, and brews using the espresso method.

     

    Barista tip: In addition to coffee making, some machines use steam to foam milk to make delicious cappuccinos and latte macchiatos.

     

    Features and benefits of fully automatic machines:

     

    • Quick and convenient brewing 
    • Easy to operate 
    • Ability to control and adjust the taste 
    • Modern, visually appealing designs 
    • Customisable strength and temperature settings  

    6. Semi-Automatic coffee machine

     

    A semi-automatic coffee machine strikes the ideal balance between convenience and control. While it automates key steps like heating and pressurising water, it leaves room for you to take charge of the coffee-making process—grinding beans, tamping, and starting the extraction yourself.  

     

    Features and benefits of semi-automatic machines:

     

    • Enhanced Control: Fine-tune each step to match your preferences and brewing style. 
    • Professional-Grade Espresso: Achieve café-quality results with the ability to perfect your technique. 
    • Compatible with Pre-Ground or Fresh Beans: Flexibility to use what suits your schedule and taste. 
    • Customizable Frothing Options: Many models feature steam wands for creating creamy milk foam for lattes and cappuccinos. 
    • Sleek, Durable Designs: Built for serious coffee enthusiasts, these machines often feature stainless steel components for durability and elegance. 

    The best way to brew coffee to satisfy your caffeine cravings!


    There you have it: how to make coffee yourself. Now that you know the ideal coffee brewing temperature and ratio, you can enjoy delicious coffee every morning.

    Get your welcome gift of £10 off*

    £10 off your first purchase on the Philips online store.*

    Exclusive member offers and early access to sales.

    News on product launches and tips for healthy lifestyles.

    *
    I would like to receive promotional communications – based on my preferences and behaviour – about Philips products, services, events and promotions. I can easily unsubscribe at any time!

    Our site can best be viewed with the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox.