Drip coffee is a popular coffee brewing method in the USA that requires using a drip coffee machine. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to brew coffee due to the affordability of the machines in the US.
However, many people are led to believe that drip coffee includes Chemex and pour-over methods, but ‘Drip Coffee’ actually only refers to the automatic drip coffee maker.
Although technically those other brewing methods allow the coffee to ‘drip’ through the filter, it’s not the same process and is not considered the same. Some people refer to those methods as ‘hand drip coffee’ but then it starts getting confusing.
We are going to take a look at drip style coffee, what it is, how to make it, and more.
What is Drip Coffee?
Drip coffee is brewed coffee that is made using an automatic drip brewing machine. The water drips slowly onto the coffee from above, extracts the flavors, and ‘drips’ into a glass carafe to be enjoyed as a brew.
One of the most popular brewing methods in the US is drip coffee. The coffee is brewed by dripping hot water over ground coffee in a filter (if the machine requires it) until the desired amount of time has passed.
There are many types of drip makers that can be used to make drip coffee, but they all have different amounts of time for brewing. Some have features that allow you to pour one cup before the entire carafe finishes the brewing process – as you may know, drip coffee is one of the longest brewing methods.
Drip Style Coffee is made with freshly ground beans, water heated to 185°F, and a paper filter placed on the top of the brew basket. The paper filters are soaked in hot water before use to make them more porous, which helps prevent any chemicals or substances from the filter from affecting the quality of your brew.
The Caffeine Content of Drip Coffee
Drip Coffee contains 115-175 mg of caffeine for every 8 oz. of a cup. When it comes to the caffeine content, there is no precise amount since it will depend mostly on the type of beans used and other processes along the way. Robusta beans are known to have higher caffeine content compared to Arabica beans.
There are also options on some machines to adjust the strength of the brew which could alter the caffeine content, so keep that in mind when making your drip coffee. If you choose coffee beans that have a higher caffeine content than normal (Death Wish), then the caffeine amount could be through the roof.
A Healthier Alternative to Other Brewing Systems
Drip coffee is becoming a popular alternative to traditional brewing systems. It has many health benefits, such as lower calorie intake and no exposure to harsh chemicals.
It’s a flavorful, healthier alternative to a latte and milk-based coffee drinks. Made from 100% Arabica beans without dairy, lactose, or gluten, Drip style coffee is an easy and delicious way to drink more coffee and stay healthy.
How to Make a Perfect Cup of Drip Coffee?
A drip coffee machine works by dripping hot water over coffee grounds that are held in a filter. The hot water drips through the coffee grounds slowly and absorbs the coffee’s flavor and aroma. This process can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of drip coffee machine you have.
There are some extra items you will need:
- Coffee beans (recommended over grounds)
- Auto or manual coffee grinder
- Scale for coffee
- A drip coffee machine (if that wasn’t obvious!)
As the drip-style coffee machine is a hands-free, one-button, automated machine, you can brew the perfect cup of coffee with ease. Just place your grounds into the filter, ensure the water is topped up, and press the button. Unless you want to adjust any temperature or strength settings.
Most machines come with 24-hour programmable timers and warming functions to keep your coffee warm too.
You should also use our coffee to water ratio calculator to get the best ratio for your drip coffee, this will ensure you have the correct amount of coffee and water to get the best tasting brew. Aim for a medium grind size for drip coffee to allow the water to pass through at the right speed but to also extract enough of the coffee.
There is no real method to making drip coffee as the machine does everything for you. Just make sure you choose some high-quality beans and grind them fresh before brewing to get the maximum flavors.
What Are the Benefits of a Drip Coffee Machine?
The benefits of a drip coffee maker include convenience, speed, and consistency. The machine and brewing method require very little effort and achieve high-quality results. Not to mention the fact that they are cheaper than other coffee makers. Other benefits include:
- Can be programmed to brew automatically for when you wake up.
- Has a warming plate to keep the carafe hot.
- Can brew large amounts for big families or someone that loves coffee too much.
- Simple to use with no fancy buttons or pods required.
- It’s more affordable than other coffee machines.
What are the Benefits of Drip Coffee?
Drip coffee itself carries the same health benefits as coffee, but in addition, drip coffee has fewer calories, no sugars (unless added), and no dairy. There is really no comparison between the likes of a Chemex brewed coffee and a drip coffee, they would both be very similar in terms of benefits.
5 Top Picks for Drip Style Coffee Machines
There is one downside to drip coffee – You don’t have full control over the final brew. As the machine is automatic, you can only put the coffee and water in, then sit back and watch as the machine does its thing. That’s why it’s important you purchase a high-quality and reliable drip coffee maker.
Here are 5 of our favorites:
- Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker – $349
- Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker – $88
- Ninja Programmable Brewer – $79.99
- Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker – $49.43
- Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker – $189.99
Check out 13 of the best drip coffee makers in 2022.
What Is The Difference Between Drip And Brewed Coffee?
Drip coffee simply refers to brewing coffee with an automatic machine whereas brewed coffee collectively refers to any coffee method that brews coffee. So, technically, drip coffee is brewed coffee. Read more about the difference between drip and brewed coffee here.
What is Special About Drip Coffee?
Drip coffee uses an automatic machine that follows a unique process of brewing, much different from other coffee brewing methods. The water is heated and steam is created to form steam bubbles; these bubbles travel upwards through the tubing and above the coffee ground, slowly forming water droplets on the coffee. This water then absorbs the coffee and passes through the carafe.
Aside from the unique coffee brewing method – these machines are much cheaper than other devices out there. Unless we consider manual coffee brewers, you can even pick up a drip coffee maker for less than the price of a French Press.
What Does Drip Coffee Taste Like?
Drip coffee has a very light and smooth texture, offering a simple taste that is toned down compared to other coffee brewing methods. Of course, the flavor of your coffee will depend on the type of beans used, how they are roasted, when you grind them, how many you use, and so on.
The Final Sip
So, what is drip coffee? Our final notes – Drip coffee is a way of brewing coffee that uses an automatic machine to slowly extract coffee into a glass carafe. Machines are generally cheap and offer a great solution for coffee to family households.
