If you are fond of experimenting with your cup of joe, consider pressure-brewed coffee. It involves forcing hot water in a closed brewing chamber through finely ground coffee at such a high pressure. You need a good coffee machine to be able to fulfill this such as an espresso machine. Read on and let us get to know what pressure-brewed coffee is and its benefits.
What is pressure brewed coffee and its benefits?
Pressure brewed coffee, as mentioned above, involves the use of hot water being forced through finely-ground coffee using high pressure. You may need to have a super-automatic coffee maker intended for pressure brewing and to grind the whole beans by feeding them through a brewing chamber. Once the coffee beans are already in the chamber, tamping the grinds is done by a piston to form a tight puck. It is due to the puck that hot water is forced at high pressure.
The extraction time is the amount of time the water and the puck were in contact. It is an important factor in coming up with a tasty cup of coffee and the ideal extraction time is between 10 to 20 seconds. However, it exceeds 20 seconds, there is a risk of caffeine and tannins which are unwanted substances in your coffee. Thus, pressure brewing yields healthier coffee compared to filter brewing.
Another great benefit of pressure-brewed coffee is that it results in a beautiful crema that takes shape on top of the coffee. Crema is the delightful golden layer of foam that is created as a result of the golden beans being infused and pushed by hot water by over seven to nine bars of pressure. It is produced or created out of coffee fats and oils and it is dependent on the quality of the coffee beans. For instance, washed coffee produces less crema.
Common ways to produce pressure brewed coffee
These are the common ways to produce pressure brewed coffee:
1. Through the use of an espresso machine.
The espresso machine utilizes pressure brewing through a puck of ground coffee and a filter to produce espresso which is thick and concentrated. This machine comes in a lever and automatic type and brewing time is more or less 20 to 30 seconds. The resulting brew is a shot of espresso which has a sharp and full flavor when it is done right. It is usually added with hot water to make it an Americano or added with frothed milk to make it a milk-based coffee drink.
Use espresso beans and a good tamper to gain the best results with an espresso machine. This coffee maker is for you if you prefer milky brew or a quick and sharp caffeine hit such as a highly concentrated espresso.
2. Through the use of a Moka pot.
Using a Moka pot is a cost-effective way to have pressure-brewed coffee. It has a three-chambered brew process and when water boils, steam causes pressure that pushes water through the coffee grounds into the top chamber. The resulting brew is not quite the same as espresso but if done right, you will have a bittersweet and very strong concoction.
The Moka pot can brew up to 16 cups at once and it is ideal if you are entertaining many friends. Brewing time is more or less five minutes and if you are on a budget this is the ideal coffee machine for you.
3. Through the use of an AeroPress.
The AeroPress coffee brewer is popular among coffee lovers that love to travel. It is famed for brewing the best-tasting coffee and it has a quick brewing time of more or less 2.5 minutes. This simple three-piece tool lets you create tasty coffee with very little effort and produces regular, cold brew and almost-espresso types of coffee.
The coffee it produces is clean-tasting, rich, smooth and pure. It is very convenient and easy to use, portable and the brew can be customized. However, it requires paper filters and you can only make two cups of coffee in one rotation.
What are the benefits of pressure brewing?
These are the benefits of pressure brewing:
- The extraction of unwanted substances like caffeine and tannin is reduced due to the short extraction time.
- It produces 30% less caffeine as opposed to regular filter coffee.
- It has the aroma of freshly brewed coffee since 100% of the aroma is extracted.
- It has almost zero tannin or tannic acid and people with sensitive stomachs can drink it.
How does pressure affect coffee?
Coffee made with lower pressures has a more fruited and distinct flavor. However, lower pressure can cause reduced mouthfeel due to less emulsion of oils. Espresso also tends to taste like strong drip coffee and extraction yield is diminished or decreased.
Conclusion
Pressure brewed coffee allows you to have healthier and great-tasting coffee like espresso in a matter of minutes. It also produces an irresistible aroma and a delightful crema on your coffee. You can easily make pressure brewed coffee through the use of an espresso machine, an AeroPress or a Moka pot.
Image: istockphoto.com / Adam Calaitzis