Some folks are happy with the battered old Mr. Coffee they bought at a yard sale. Some will only drink from a glass-with-plunger French press or a beloved Chemex pour-over. But does the type of coffee maker you use really make that much difference to the mix of beans and water? We talked to coffee experts — even one “coffee sommelier” — to get their insights on the right equipment to buy and how to use it best.
According to Rocco Carulli, owner and executive of Miami-based restaurant R House, the type of maker you use does matter. “Good equipment gives you control, and control allows the coffee to shine,” he added. “The type of maker you use has a huge impact on flavor, aroma and body. Each brewing method changes how the coffee’s oils, acids and aromatics are extracted.”
“A good machine doesn’t just push hot water through; it keeps temperature and pressure consistent to bring out coffee’s natural sweetness, depth and complexity,” he said. But there isn’t one “right” sort of maker, Carulli said. “It depends on what you love. Some people go for the purity and clarity of pour-over; others love the body and intensity of espresso.”
From drip machines to espresso makers, here’s how the coffee maker affects the flavor.
