Top Coffee Brewing Methods of 2022

With a growing online community of content creators and first-time craft coffee explorers, 2022’s coffee trends have definitely been on point. This year's top brewing methods are no exception.

We’ve broken down the top 5 coffee brewing methods of 2022. Find out everything you need to choose your new coffee brewing obsession from this year’s trendiest techniques and tools.

Steeped

Even though the term steeped coffee might be new to you, you’ve probably already encountered it. Coffee can be steeped in a number of ways, but the most well-known of these is the French press.

With a French press, the grounds are steeped in hot water and then pressed down to the bottom of the device to separate them from the now brewed coffee. While the French press is certainly the most popular method of steeping coffee, it’s not the only one worth trying.

More direct steeping methods resemble those of tea preparation using either an infuser spoon or a pot with an infuser. While these tools are similar to those used for tea, steeping coffee is best done with equipment specific to the task like the Brew It Stick since coffee grounds are much finer than tea leaves.

As far as flavor, steeped coffee allows for the extraction of the full range of flavor components in the coffee beans. The lack of an absorbent barrier like a paper filter means that nothing gets trapped and no off-flavors get added either.

All in all, steeping is a great way for beginners to explore new coffee brewing methods without having to invest in costly machinery, though steepers do tend to cost more than French press devices. Steeping keeps your coffee from becoming muddy - polluted with escaped coffee grounds - while still offering the full range of unfiltered flavors.

AeroPress

If you love the taste of French pressed coffee, but want to be able to take that experience with you wherever you go, then you should give the AeroPress a try.

This portable device brews a single serving of up to 8 oz of concentrated coffee that can then be mixed with water or your choice of milk. The standard model does come with a paper filter, but it can be switched out for a large pore, stainless steel one that allows you to extract all of the flavor compounds.

You can play with the grind size a bit with the AeroPress, but generally, a medium-fine grind will work best. If you use the paper filter, you can go with a finer grind.

When using the AeroPress with the stainless steel filter, the taste of the coffee is very similar to that of a French press. With the paper filter, you’ll still get more flavor than traditional drip brewing with paper filters, but not quite as robust as with steeping methods.

For a portable brewing device, the AeroPress is definitely impressive. While it might not be your go-to for everyday use, it certainly shines in those moments when you are wanting some great coffee away from home.

Stovetop

Stovetop coffee brewing is most often done using a Moka pot. Even if you’ve never heard the term Moka pot before, you’ve probably seen one. They have an iconic shape that has gone unchanged for 90 years.

These devices are simple yet effective and they can last for decades since they don’t have any electrical or moving parts. They are split into three sections: the bottom where the water is held, the middle chamber where you put the coffee grounds, and the top where the final concentrated coffee collects.

To use a Moka pot, you fill the lower chamber with water and the middle chamber with coffee grounds then place the pot on your stovetop. There are also electric Moka pots that plug in and boil the water internally the way an electric kettle does.

The heated water converts to steam and builds pressure in the lower chamber which forces the water up into the middle chamber via a funnel. The water then mixes with the coffee grounds before moving through another funnel as it is forced into the chamber at the top.

Due to the nature of the brewing method, it is recommended to use finely ground coffee in Moka pots. While there are other devices for stovetop brewing, Moka pots are the most popular and most durable, you can even find one secondhand at many thrift shops.

Stovetop brewing results in a highly concentrated coffee that resembles espresso. The extended brewing time often releases many of the roasted notes of the beans while also creating a thick, espresso-like consistency without the hassle of espresso makers.

All things considered, stovetop brewing with a Moka pot is a great way to break into different brewing methods as the devices themselves are not overly expensive and have an exceptionally long life compared to actual espresso machines.

Siphon

Siphon brewing uses a vacuum coffee maker that works under the same physical principles as stovetop coffee machines. Filtered water goes into the bottom and is heated to create steam that in turn creates pressure which forces the water towards the top of the device.

That’s where things start to diverge. Where the final brewed coffee remains in the top chamber of a stovetop coffee maker, with siphon coffee, the already brewed coffee flows back down through the machine to the bottom chamber.

While the complexity and relative cost of vacuum coffee makers - even the simplest ones cost over $10 - make them something of a novelty, the quality of the coffee extract through siphon brewing is unparalleled.

The lack of a paper filter paired with full immersion brewing in a high-pressure environment imparts the coffee with all of the complexities found in French pressed coffee as well as the deep, roasted bottom notes of stovetop while still maintaining the crisp, delicate top notes that are the trademark of poured over coffee.

If you can overcome the initial cost and dedicate time to adjusting for a learning curve, then siphoned coffee could end up being your all-time favorite, but these barriers aren’t small and it’s understandable if it all just seems a bit too complicated, especially first thing in the morning.

Cold Brew

Cold Brew coffee has been so popular for so long, that it hardly feels right to call it a trend anymore. A fair number of coffee shops carry cold brew as a permanent option on their menus and the number of ready-to-drink options certainly isn’t getting any smaller.

The brewing process for cold brew coffee takes between 12 and 24 hours since it uses room temperature water which takes longer to steep the coffee beans than hot and boiling water.

This radical difference in time and temperature results in a cup of coffee that is less acidic. Because of this lower level of acidity, cold brew coffee tastes less bitter and has an overall smoother experience.

While bitterness and acidity are less with cold brew coffee, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking flavor. In fact, cold brew coffee is incredibly concentrated and is most often mixed with milk or ice to dilute it.

Despite the name cold brew, you can actually enjoy it hot, it’s just that it gets heated after it is brewed at room temperature. Either way, hot or cold, cold-brewed coffee has earned its place among coffee house standards and it seems like it's definitely here to stay.

Beef up Your Brew with Allo

No matter which brewing method you use, adding Allo protein powder for hot coffee to your morning cup of joe sets you up with 10 grams of protein. Try our vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel flavored powders, also available in sunflower-based creamers.

The high-quality hydrolyzed whey protein is easy on the stomach and offers quick protein absorption. Our specially formulated creamers and non-creamer powders dissolve seamlessly in hot coffee, hot tea, hot matcha, or even hot chocolate for a smooth, clump-free experience.