HAND DRIP (POUROVER) BREWING
There are many methods of brewing coffee, the most common probably being the electric coffee maker. However, because the electric coffee maker doesn't allow you to control the heat or flow of the water, it really can't get the best flavor out of your coffee.
When brewing Agrideved coffee, the best way to get that super-smooth, hint-of-berry cup of coffee is to use the hand-drip method. There are a lot of different theories on how to do it, but here's one:
Start heating up your water. When you start brewing, you want the water to be almost boiling, but not quite. If you bring it to a boil then wait a couple minutes you should be fine.
This is a ceramic hand drip coffee maker and a #2 filter. You should be able to find both of these in a department store, or a kitchen specialty store.
Get your beans. Take a whiff of that wonderful aroma before proceeding.
Pour some beans in the grinder. (Okay, this step is kind of obvious).
Grind the beans so that they're almost to a powder consistency.
Insert filter into hand dripper
Rinse the filter completely by pouring hot water over it. This helps to rinse any paper taste or residue from the filter, and also preheats your mug and dripper.
Don't forget to empty that mug before you brew your coffee!
Okay, now your mug is all warmed up, your filter is rinsed, and you're finally ready to start brewing! Put some grounds inside the filter. It's up to your taste, but go ahead and start with a couple tablespoons and modify it from there.
Use your finger to make a little indentation in the the grounds.
Pour just a little of your (almost boiling) water in the indentation and let it sit for 20 seconds or so. You will have a little pool of water in the middle of the grounds. The water shouldn't start to drip into the mug yet. The idea is to let the water soak up a whole bunch of flavor before the brew starts. This is called the "pre-infusion" stage.
Keep pouring small amounts of water on top of the area you just poured. As much as possible, try not to let the water touch the filter.
As you continue to pour the water, remember to pick up the dripper and make sure the mug isn't about to overflow.
Enjoy your coffee. The hand drip method delivers a very rich strong brew. You can add water if it's a little too strong.
Hand drip is obviously more labor-intensive than the electric coffee maker, and if you need to brew 12 metric cups of coffee to put in your jumbo thermos, and you only have 10 minutes to shower and get ready for work, the hand-drip method might not be practical. But if you put aside a little extra time for it, I guarantee you, the difference in taste IS significant! Give it a try.
