Brewing Basics: Exploring Different Ways to Enjoy Your Coffee

Let’s be honest: making coffee at home can be as simple or as geeky as you want. Whether you’re a “just add hot water” type or a “let’s weigh every gram” enthusiast, there’s a brewing method out there for you. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular ways to brew a cup, plus a few tips to make your Zelda & Rocky beans shine.

The French press is a classic for a reason: it’s dead simple and makes a bold, full-bodied cup. Just scoop in your coarse-ground coffee, add hot water, give it a stir, pop the lid on, and wait four minutes. Press down slowly and pour. That’s it!

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Coarse
• Ratio: 1:15 (e.g. 20g coffee to 300ml water)
• Time: 4 minutes
• Add coffee and hot water (just off the boil), stir, pop the lid on, wait four minutes, plunge slowly, and pour.

Pro tip: Don’t let it sit too long after plunging or you’ll get a bitter brew.

Pour over is for those who love a clean, crisp cup and don’t mind a little ritual. Place your filter and coffee in the dripper, then slowly pour hot water in circles. It’s all about control - water temperature, pouring speed, and bloom time.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Medium
• Ratio: 1:16 (e.g. 20g coffee to 320ml water)
• Time: 2.5 - 3 minutes
• Place filter and coffee in your dripper, pour a little hot water to bloom for 30 seconds, then pour the rest in slow circles.

Pro tip: Use freshly ground beans and filtered water for the best results. And don’t stress too much - practice makes perfect!

AeroPress is the coffee nerd’s playground. It’s quick, portable, and endlessly customisable. You can make everything from a rich espresso-style shot to a smooth filter coffee. Just add coffee and water, stir, steep, and press.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Medium-fine
• Ratio: 1:15 (e.g. 15g coffee to 225ml water)
• Time: 2 minutes
• Add coffee and water, stir, steep for 1 minute, then press gently for 30 seconds.

Pro tip: Try the “inverted” method for a stronger cup and experiment with brew times.

Espresso is the pure essence of coffee—intense, rich, and the base for your favourite café drinks. Home machines can be a bit of an investment, but they’re worth it if you love your morning flat white or long black.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Fine
• Ratio: 1:2 (e.g. 18g coffee to 36g espresso)
• Time: 25–30 seconds
• Tamp your coffee evenly and extract a double shot in about 30 seconds.

Pro tip: Use fresh, finely ground beans and dial in your grind size for the perfect shot.

The Moka pot is a little Italian marvel that makes a strong, espresso-like coffee on your stove. Fill the bottom with water, the basket with coffee, and heat it up. In a few minutes, you’ll have a bold brew perfect for milk-based drinks.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Medium-fine (a bit coarser than espresso)
• Ratio: Fill the filter basket loosely, don’t tamp
• Time: 4–5 minutes on medium heat
• Fill base with water just below the valve, add coffee, assemble, and heat gently until you hear it gurgle.

Pro tip: Don’t tamp the coffee down—just level it off. And keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning your brew.

For those hot Lake Macquarie days, cold brew is a lifesaver. Coarse coffee, cold water, and plenty of patience—let it steep overnight in the fridge, then filter and enjoy over ice. It’s smooth, sweet, and super refreshing.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Coarse
• Ratio: 1:8 (e.g. 100g coffee to 800ml cold water)
• Time: 12–18 hours in the fridge
• Mix coffee and water, let steep overnight, then strain and enjoy over ice

Pro tip: Cold brew lasts up to a week in the fridge, so make a big batch!

If you want coffee on tap for a crowd (or just a busy morning), a drip machine is your friend. Add water, coffee, and let the machine do its thing. The result? Consistent, easy coffee with minimal fuss.

Quick Brew Guide:

• Grind: Medium
• Ratio: 1:16 (e.g. 60g coffee to 1L water)
• Time: As per your machine’s cycle (usually 5 - 8 minutes)
• Add water and coffee to the machine, press start, and let it do its thing.

Pro tip: Clean your machine regularly - old residue can really mess with the flavour.

There’s no right or wrong way to brew coffee - just what tastes good to you. Whether you’re a French press fan or a pour over perfectionist, the key is fresh, quality beans (shameless plug for Zelda & Rocky!).

Got a favourite brewing method or a tip to share? Drop us a comment or tag us on Instagram. Happy brewing!