Are you tired of the same old coffee brewing routine? Looking to explore new ways to enjoy your cup of joe? Well, you're in luck! Here at Zavida Coffee Roasters, a proudly Canadian-owned and operated specialty coffee roaster, we are passionate about all things coffee, and we love to dive into different brewing methods to bring out the best flavours in our hand-roasted coffee. So, let's take a journey together and discover three popular alternative ways you can brew your perfect cup of coffee.

CHEMEX: THE ART OF INFUSION

Let's start with the iconic Chemex Coffeemaker, which utilizes the infusion or drip method to create a truly unique coffee experience. Here's how you can brew your coffee using a Chemex:

- Start by heating water to around 200°F (93°C). This temperature is optimal for extracting the flavours from your coffee beans. If you’re using a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and then allow it to cool slightly so it’s no longer at a rolling boil. Once the water has stopped simmering, you can use it for your brew.

- Fold a Chemex paper filter and place it in the top section of the Chemex brewer, ensuring that the thicker side is lined up against the pouring spout.

- Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper residue and preheat the brewer.Discard the water used to rinse out the filter.

- Grind your desired amount of Zavida Coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency. For optimal results, grind the beans just before brewing.

- Add the ground coffee to the Chemex filter, using approximately one tablespoon of coffee per 5oz (150ml) of water.

- Begin pouring hot water slowly and evenly over the coffee grounds, starting from the centre and working your way out in a circular motion. Once you’ve just covered all the grounds, allow the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds. Blooming the coffee allows some of the carbon dioxide to release from the grounds before you pour the rest of the water. You’ll notice that the grounds will bubble slightly, and may turn a lighter brown colour. This is normal, and means your coffee is blooming correctly!

- After 30 seconds, continue pouring the remaining water in a slow, steady stream, maintaining a consistent flow rate. Take your time to ensure proper extraction.

- Once all the water has passed through the filter, remove the filter and discard it in your compost bin.

- Give the brewed coffee a gentle stir to ensure the flavours are well blended.

- Pour the rich, aromatic coffee from the Chemex into your favourite mug and savor the clean, sediment-free cup of joe.

COWBOY: EMBRACE SIMPLICITY

Have you ever experienced the charm of a cup of joe made the Cowboy way? It may not be renowned for its exceptionally-smooth taste; many often complain about its bitter flavour. However, we believe that Cowboy coffee doesn't have to be a disappointment. In fact, it's one of the simplest brewing methods out there, and is perfect in a pinch when you don’t have coffee brewing equipment with you. Here's how you can brew your Cowboy coffee:

- Begin by heating water in a kettle or pot until it reaches a rolling boil.

- For every 8 ounces (around 230ml) of water, add around 2 tablespoons of medium-coarse Zavida Coffee grounds directly into the boiling water.

- Stir the mixture gently to ensure that all the grounds are fully saturated.

- Allow the coffee to steep for about 4 minutes, allowing the flavours to develop.

- After steeping, carefully pour a small amount of cold water into the pot. The sudden temperature change helps settle the grounds at the bottom of the pot.

- Let the coffee sit for another minute or two to allow any remaining grounds to settle.

- Slowly pour the coffee into your cup, taking care not to disturb the grounds at the bottom. It’s best to remove all the remaining coffee from the pot at this point, rather than waiting until you’re ready for your second cup. Leaving coffee in the pot with the grounds will allow it to continue extracting and affecting the taste of your brew.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the robust, flavourful cup of Cowboy coffee that transports you to the Old West.

MOKA POT: ESPRESSO IN YOUR HANDS

If you're a fan of strong and vibrant espresso, but don’t have the budget or the counter space for an espresso machine, then the moka pot should be on your radar. This classic coffee maker, typically made from aluminum or stainless steel, uses steam pressure to brew your favourite espresso right at home, no need for a fancy set-up. Here's how you can brew espresso using a moka pot:

- Fill the bottom chamber of the Moka Pot with freshly boiled water, up to the bottom of the pressure release valve. Avoid using boiling water directly from the kettle, to prevent scorching the coffee grounds.

- Insert the filter basket into the bottom chamber and fill it with medium-fine ground Zavida Coffee, levelling it off without compressing the grounds.

- Screw the top chamber tightly onto the bottom chamber, ensuring a secure seal.

- Place the moka pot on a stove over medium heat.

- As the water in the bottom chamber heats up, steam pressure will build, forcing the water through the coffee grounds, turning into coffee as it does.

- As the coffee begins to fill the upper chamber, you’ll hear a gurgling sound. If you carefully lift the lid, you can see the coffee streaming into the top chamber.

- The sound of gurgling with dissipate, replaced with a hissing or slight whistling sound. This is a sign your brew is complete! Remove the moka pot from the heat source, being careful not to touch the metal pot with your bare hands.

- Allow the moka pot to cool off slightly before you pour the coffee into your cup of choice, add milk and sugar as desired.

Enjoy the dense and flavourful cup of espresso that will awaken your senses and provide a delightful energy boost. Feel free to play around with the type of coffee, amount of coffee grounds you use, and the temperature of the stove when you brew your moka pot in order to find your perfect espresso equation.

No matter which alternative brewing method piques your interest, it all begins with selecting good-quality beans. At Zavida Coffee Roasters, we take pride in offering a diverse range of beans from around the world, in many different flavours and in a variety of roast profiles. We're confident that we have the perfect beans to satisfy your unique taste preferences.

So, what are you waiting for? Step out of your comfort zone and embark on a coffee adventure with these alternative brewing methods. Discover new flavors, embrace the art of brewing, and elevate your coffee experience to new heights. Cheers to great coffee moments!