So, you’ve mastered the 4 fundamentals of brewing: you’ve got fresh ROC² beans, a good grinder, filtered water, and a scale. (If you missed that post, be sure to check out our guide to the 4 Secrets to a Perfect Cup of Coffee first!) Now comes the fun part: how do you want to brew?
The brewing method you choose has a massive impact on the final taste. It’s a personal choice, and there’s no single "best" way. It’s all about what you enjoy.
As your local Cave Creek roasters, we’re here to help you decide. Let's compare the two most popular and accessible craft brewing methods: The French Press and The Pour-Over.
The French Press (Immersion Brewing)
This is a classic for a reason. A French Press is an "immersion" brewer, meaning the coffee grounds and water steep together for several minutes before being separated by a metal filter.
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Flavor Profile: Rich, full-bodied, heavy, and robust. Because it uses a metal filter, all the coffee’s natural oils (which carry a ton of flavor) pass directly into your cup. This can also result in a small amount of fine sediment.
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You'll Love It If: You want a "classic," bold, and hearty cup of coffee. It’s fantastic for our darker roasts or bold blends.
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The Process: It's simple and forgiving. Add coarse grounds, add hot water, wait 4 minutes, and plunge.
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Learn More: The world-renowned roasters at Stumptown have a famous, easy-to-follow French Press guide that's perfect for beginners.
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ROC² Pro-Tip: After you plunge, pour all the coffee out immediately. If you let it sit in the press, it will continue to brew and become bitter.
The Pour-Over (Percolation/Filtration Brewing)
The Pour-Over (methods like the V60, Kalita Wave, or Chemex) is the gold standard for baristas. This is a "percolation" method, where hot water is poured over a bed of coffee grounds in a paper filter, and the brewed coffee drips out the bottom.
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Flavor Profile: Incredibly clean, bright, crisp, and nuanced. The paper filter traps all the oils and sediment, which allows the coffee's most delicate, "high-note" flavors to shine.
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You'll Love It If: You drink your coffee black and love tasting the subtle, complex notes of a single-origin bean (like fruity, floral, or tea-like flavors).
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The Process: It's a more hands-on, ritualistic process that requires a gooseneck kettle for a controlled pour.
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Learn More: Blue Bottle Coffee's blog, one of the most famous names in specialty coffee, has a beautiful step-by-step pour-over guide.
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ROC² Pro-Tip: The "bloom" is the most important step. After your first small pour, let the coffee sit for 30-45 seconds. You'll see it bubble and expand. This releases trapped CO2 and preps the grounds for a much more even (and delicious) extraction.
The Verdict: Which is for You?
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Choose the French Press if you want a full-bodied, rich, and simple brew.
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Choose the Pour-Over if you want a clean, bright, and nuanced cup and enjoy the craft of brewing.
Of course, why not both? Stop by our roastery in Cave Creek. We’d be happy to talk shop and help you pick out the perfect bean for whatever brewer you call your favorite.