Is Brewed Coffee Drip Coffee? (Are They the Same or Different?)
There are a variety of coffee types based on their extraction method for us to choose from. You might have heard of brewed coffee and drip coffee. What are those exactly, and how do they differ? Or how are they similar to one another? We will talk about that in this post.
Is brewed coffee drip coffee?
Brewed coffee is the result of making coffee, regardless of the type and process used in its preparation. Using a French press, a percolator, or an espresso machine are some of the ways you can make brewed coffee.
On the other hand, drip coffee is a more specific type of coffee preparation that yields a particular taste or flavor to the brew.
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Is Brewed Coffee Drip Coffee?
The terms brewed coffee and drip coffee are often used interchangeably because both terms are used in making coffee. However, they are not necessarily the same beverage.
To put it in a more straightforward context, asking the difference between brewed coffee and drip coffee is like asking how airplanes and aircraft differ from each other.
This means that brewed coffee is a more general term for coffee preparation, while drip coffee is a specific type of coffee preparation to make brewed coffee.
What is Drip Coffee?
Drip coffee is a coffee brewing method that can be done manually or with an electric coffee machine called a drip coffee maker.
It is called drip coffee because the process of making it is through gentle and slow extraction of coffee using hot water.
First, coffee grounds are placed in a disposable filter. Then, hot water is gradually added to the coffee grounds drop-by-drop or in drips.
8 Things to Know About Drip Coffee
Now that you know what drip coffee is and how it differs from brewed coffee, here are additional facts that you should know:
1. Use Fine Grinds
If you use an automatic drip coffee maker, you know how convenient it is. However, because they cannot regulate the temperature and the water ratio, they do not bring out the best possible flavor.
To counter this, you should start by using a fine grind to produce more flavor.
2. Drip Coffee Produces a Stronger Aroma
With drip coffee, its aroma and taste are obtained by the gentle and slow extraction process wherein the hot water passes through the coffee grounds through a filter.
3. The Drip Method is Great for Flavored Coffee
If you like flavored coffee, drip coffee machines are a great option. Regardless if it is mocha, hazelnut, vanilla, or other flavored coffee, the gentle and delicate brewing process of drip coffee enables the flavor to be extracted thoroughly.
4. Drip Coffee Isn’t as Concentrated
The strength of the coffee is usually measured by how much caffeine it contains. You may think that a strong coffee is something that will keep you up all night. However, for baristas, the strength of the coffee is measured by the coffee-to-water ratio.
In a cup of drip coffee, only 1% to 2% of dissolved compounds are included in the drink – the rest is water. On the other hand, an espresso has 7% to 12% of dissolved compounds.
Therefore, if you want a strong coffee, you may opt for an espresso, or you may suit yourself with two cups of drip coffee.
5. Drip Coffee Has a Higher Caffeine Content
Although espresso is higher in concentration compared to drip coffee, the latter actually contains more caffeine than the former. Therefore, if you need to keep yourself up all night but the espresso is too strong for your body, you may want to consider the light and refreshing taste of drip coffee.
6. The Equipment Used to Make Drip Coffee Is Cheap
Drip coffee machines are usually not expensive. You may see ones with higher prices, but you can also see that it’s because of the brand and added functions.
However, all drip coffee machines are used for the same purpose – to make a cup of coffee through a delicate and slow process. They are not hard to find, too. There are decent drip coffee machines available on the market.
7. Drip Coffee Has More Options
Standard auto-drip coffee machines allow you to experiment with different coffee drinks at an economical price.
8. Drip Coffee Tastes Great If the Right Ratio Is Used
The coffee to water ratio determines the taste of the coffee. The recommended ratio is two tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water.
Using the recommended ratio, a cup of drip coffee can taste delicious.
Final Thoughts
In making drip coffee, it is not only the machine that you should consider. You also have to consider the coffee beans’ freshness, the ratio of the coffee to water, and the length of the brewing process. Of course, a cup of coffee is best when drunk immediately.
