Espresso, Plunger or Filter? How Brewing Changes Your Coffee

Same coffee beans. Different brewing methods. Very different cup.

That’s one of the interesting things about coffee.

You can take the same coffee beans and brew them as espresso, make them in a plunger or put them through a filter, and each method can bring something different to the cup.

So, you don’t need to give up your favourite bag of coffee beans to try something new. Simply change the way you brew them.

Here’s how three popular coffee brewing methods can change the way your coffee tastes.

Espresso

Small cup. Serious business.

Espresso coffee is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure.

The result is a small, concentrated shot with plenty of intensity.

 It’s also the starting point for many café favourites, including flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos.

How it’s brewed: Hot water is pushed through finely ground coffee under pressure.
What to expect: Concentrated, bold and full-bodied.

If you have an espresso machine at home, this brewing method is ideal when you want a strong coffee or enjoy making milk-based café favourites. And despite its size, espresso certainly isn’t shy.

Plunger Coffee

Plunger coffee likes to take its time. Also known as a French press, this method involves steeping ground coffee in hot water before pushing the plunger down to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.

Because the coffee stays in contact with the water during brewing, a plunger can produce a fuller, richer cup. 

How it’s brewed: Ground coffee is steeped directly in hot water before being separated with a plunger.
What to expect: Rich, full-bodied and satisfying.

It’s also refreshingly simple.

Coffee. Water. Plunger.

No complicated machinery required. 

Filter Coffee

Filter coffee takes a slightly gentler approach.

Hot water passes through ground coffee and a filter, with the brewed coffee dripping through into your cup or carafe below.

The filter catches much of the coffee’s oils and fine particles, which can create a cleaner, lighter cup and allow more subtle flavours to stand out.

How it’s brewed: Hot water passes through ground coffee and a filter.
What to expect: Clean, smooth and lighter-bodied.

If you enjoy exploring the different flavours in quality coffee beans, filter brewing is a great way to see what else your favourite coffee has to offer.

Same beans. Different sides of their personality.

Espresso vs Plunger vs Filter: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference is how the coffee and water interact during brewing.

With espresso, water moves quickly through finely ground coffee under pressure, creating a concentrated drink.

With a plunger, the coffee grounds sit directly in the water before being separated, generally creating a fuller-bodied cup.

With filter coffee, water gradually passes through the grounds and a filter, producing a cleaner and often lighter brew.

None is automatically better than the others.

They’re simply different ways of getting flavour out of the same coffee beans. Does the Brewing Method Really

Change the Taste of Coffee?

Absolutely.Coffee contains a huge range of flavours and aromas, and your brewing method influences which of those characteristics you notice most.

Espresso might emphasise intensity and body.

Plunger brewing can give you a richer, heavier mouthfeel.

Filter brewing can make more delicate characteristics easier to pick out.

That’s why choosing the best coffee beans is only part of making a great cup.

How you brew them matters too. So,

Which Coffee Brewing Method Is Best?

Trick question.

There isn’t one.

The best brewing method comes down to how you like your coffee.

Want something strong and concentrated? Espresso is hard to beat.

Prefer something rich and full-bodied without needing an espresso machine? Give the plunger a go.

Like your coffee cleaner, lighter and more delicate? A filter could be your thing.

And if you’re not sure?

Try the same coffee using a couple of different methods.

You might discover flavours you’ve never noticed before.

Worst-case scenario?

You’ve made yourself another coffee.

We can think of bigger problems.

Ready to put it to the test? Grab a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans and try the same blend through espresso, plunger or filter. Same beans. Three different cups. Important research, really.