To some, making coffee includes instant mixes and a cup of hot water. For other discerning folks though, brewing joe is a work of art. If you want more creativity out of something several folks might call a basic task, here is a list of common brewing techniques.

• French Press

Eager for that caffeine buzz? Then you have to get a French press for a faster, stronger cup. All you have to do is put the grounds in the pitches, pour hot water on it then let steep for 5. Once those 5 minutes are done, just press on the strainer to get your freshly-brewed joe.

Keep in mind that the longer you steep, the higher the amount of caffeine on the joe, so this method is ideal for those who want to wake up fully in the mornings. However, also remember that big amounts of caffeine also contain great quantities of cafestol, a molecule present in coffee which can raise cholesterol levels.

• Drip Coffee Maker

The common drip-brew process consists of dispensing hot water on the grounds in an automated machine. It is considered an ideal way to get your cuppa because it’s quick, simple and time-honored.

In addition, it is also the healthiest among the methods because the filter included in the machine takes in the natural oils on the coffee grounds, which can raise your cholesterol levels over the course of time.

• Espresso Machine

Espresso is a method to brew coffee and it needs appropriate equipment to make a great shot. It can be a tiresome process, but given enough time and practice, one can master the craft. Any coffee can be made into espresso but each kind can differ in terms of flavor.

The method involves pressing hot water on a compressed espresso puck of coffee grounds at a high pressure. Each and every espresso machine employs the use of boilers with a heating component that draws the water to the needed temperature. A good espresso machine provides stable heat and pressure throughout the process.

• Moka Pot

The Moka pot is at times referred to as an electric coffee maker or stove-top espresso maker. You can make a cup from it by passing hot water that’s pressed forward by means of steam through the grounds. It has an extraction rate that’s the same as that of a standard espresso machine, which results into a stronger cup.

• Single Serve

Single-serve cups of joe are heaven-sent for those who want that blast of caffeine anywhere they go, anytime. This methods works like a conventional drip device, the difference being the coffee is already crushed and portioned out. You just put a pod of the stuff in the device and after 5 minutes, have your steaming cup of java.

Pods usually come in dark roast and light roast varieties. The dark ones contain antioxidants that fight cancer while the lighter ones are apt to contain greater amounts of caffeine.

• Instant Coffee

The fastest, most straightforward among methods, without relying on machines; all you have to do is take a cup of steaming water and mix some coffee powder in it.

It is not considered real coffee by connoisseurs of the craft because it’s just freeze/spray-dried coffee extract but studies have shown that instant coffee is packed with blood sugar-lowering antioxidants which can curb your risk of getting diabetes.

• Cold Brew

Cold brewing is a method embraced by today’s joe aficionados and is quite similar to the French press method. However, instead of hot water, cold water is employed in the process and the coffee grounds are steeped for a good 12 hours. This results into a sharper yet sweeter cup of joe as compared with other coffees because the cold water draws out the organic flavors of the grounds’ oils (hot water modifies the oils or gets rid of it).

Coffee beans are usually acidic, and in cold brewing, these acids are purged so this method is actually recommended for those who go through acid reflux or heartburn. However, if you are not into a frosty cuppa, make some with cold water then mix hot milk or water with it whenever you need one.

• Chemex

The Chemex brewer was made in the 40’s and just recently, it has made a comeback due to the efforts of coffee aficionados who want more than just barista-tendered mixes. It works like a conventional drip-machine and it usually involves dispensing heated water over the coffee grounds. However, the method is distinctive since it needs a thrice-thick filter.

Because of the filter, the finished product provides a smoother, cleaner cuppa with fewer oils than a conventional drip-produced brew. This nifty device also makes sure that the water will stay at a fixed 180 to 200 degrees.