When it comes to coffee, there are a lot of different factors that can affect the taste. The type of beans, the grind, the water temperature…
All of these things can make a big difference. But one of the most significant factors is how you brew the coffee in the first place.
There are a lot of brewing methods. Some coffee drinkers swear by siphon brewing, while others prefer pour-over, espresso, or french press.
So, you might be wondering, which is better?
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Siphon Coffee vs Pour-over so you can decide for yourself which brewing method is best for you.
So if you’re ready to learn more about coffee brewing, let’s get started!
What is a Siphon Coffee?
A siphon coffee maker is a unique brewing method that uses vacuum pressure to brew coffee.
It’s often considered the Rolls Royce of coffee makers because it’s complex and can be expensive.
But many coffee lovers believe that siphon brewing is worth the extra effort because it creates a truly unique cup of coffee.
This coffee maker was invented in the 1830s and became popular in Europe and America in the 1850s.
How does a Siphon coffee maker work?
A siphon coffee maker is made up of two chambers: a lower chamber that holds water and an upper chamber that holds the coffee grounds.
The two chambers are connected by a siphon tube. To brew coffee, you first heat the water in the lower chamber until it boils.
This creates vapor pressure, which forces the water up into the upper chamber.
Then, the coffee grounds are added to the upper chamber, and they steep in hot water for a few minutes.
Once the coffee is made brewing, the heat is removed from the lower chamber. This causes the vapor pressure to drop, and the coffee is siphoned back down into the lower chamber.
If you want to learn more about this brewing method, you can read our article on how to use a siphon maker.
What is Pour-over Coffee?
Pour-over coffee is a type of coffee brewing method where hot water is poured over coffee grounds that are contained in a filter.
This method can be performed using a variety of different devices, but most commonly, people use a pour-over cone that sits on top of their coffee mug.
The popularity of pour-over coffee has increased in recent years as more people have become interested in making their own coffee at home.
This brewing method is simple, inexpensive, and can be done without any fancy equipment.
How does Pour-over work?
Pour-over coffee is very easy to make. First, you’ll place the filter in the coffee mug. Then, you’ll add the desired amount of coffee grounds to the filter.
Next, you’ll slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds. Depending on how much coffee you’re making, this process can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes.
Once all of the water has been added, you’ll let the coffee steep for a few minutes. Then, you’ll remove the filter and enjoy your cup of coffee.
Check out our article about two of the best pour-over makers. This may help you decide which brewing method is right for you.
Siphon Coffee vs Pour-over: Key Differences
Now that you know a little bit more about siphon coffee and pour-over coffee. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between these two brewing methods.
Brew method
Brewing coffee using the Siphon method is considered to be more complex because it involves using a siphon coffee maker.
This type of coffee maker can be expensive and require some practice to use correctly.
Siphon coffee is brewed using a glass chamber that sits on top of a heating element.
Water is placed in the chamber and heated until it boils.
This causes the water to be siphoned through a tube into a second chamber that contains the coffee grounds.
The heating element under the glass chamber will then be removed making the water go down again.
Once all of the water has been siphoned through, the coffee is ready to drink. This brewing method produces intensely flavored coffee.
Pour-over brewing, on the other hand, is much simpler and can be done using a variety of different devices.
The most common way to do pour-over brewing is to use a cone that sits on top of your coffee mug and then pour hot water over the grounds.
The majority of people pour hot water in a circular motion.
They believe that this process will provide consistency to their coffee.
Pour-over coffee is simple to make. This method of brewing is ideal for beginners.
However, if you want a perfect and consistent cup of coffee, you will need to go through a learning curve.
Flavor
The siphon coffee brewing method is often said to produce a cup of coffee with superior flavor.
This is because the siphon brewer evenly distributes heat, which leads to a more consistent extraction of flavors from the coffee grounds.
Siphon coffee is also brewed under vacuum pressure, which is why some people believe that siphon coffee tastes purer than other brew methods.
Pour-over coffee, on the other hand, can sometimes produce a cup of coffee that tastes weaker or more watered down.
This is because pour-over brewers often don’t evenly distribute heat, which can lead to uneven extraction of flavors from the grounds.
However, this can be improved with better pouring skills and methods to ensure more even water-to-coffee contact and extraction.
Brew Time
Siphon coffee makers can brew a cup of coffee relatively quickly, usually in less than 2 minutes.
Pour-over coffee, on the other hand, can take a bit longer to brew, usually around 3 to 4 minutes.
This is important to consider if you’re trying to make coffee in a hurry. However, some people believe that the extra brew time is worth it for the improved flavor of pour-over coffee.
Ease of Use
Siphon brewers can be challenging to use, especially if you’re new to them. They require some practice and can be expensive.
Pour-over coffee, on the other hand, is much simpler and can be done using a variety of different devices.
This is important to consider if you’re new to making coffee at home. You may want to start with a pour-over method before investing in a siphon coffee maker.
Cost
Siphon coffee makers can be expensive because they’re often considered to be a specialty coffee brewing method.
Pour-over coffee brewers, on the other hand, are much less expensive and can be found for around $20.
Final Verdict: Siphon Coffee vs Pour-over
Now that you know more about siphon coffee and pour-over coffee, it’s time to decide between these brewing methods. For us, the pour-over is the best choice.
Although it doesn’t always produce a consistent and strong cup of coffee, it is simple to use and inexpensive to make.
Taste is important, we believe you can improve your pour-over coffee skills with more practice.
If you prefer pour-over coffee, you can check out our article on the best pour-over makers.
What’s best for us may not be the best for you, so if you’re looking for a cup of coffee with superior flavor, then siphon coffee might be the way to go.
(If you want to go with siphon coffee, our article about the most outstanding siphon coffee makers will help you find the one for you.)
Whichever brewing method you choose, we hope you enjoy your cup of coffee! Thanks for reading!
FAQs
What is the advantage of the coffee siphon?
There are a few advantages to coffee siphon:
1. They evenly extract coffee grounds, resulting in a more consistent brew.
2. They’re nearly hands-off, so you can multitask while your coffee brews.
3. Coffee siphons are generally very easy to clean.
4. The coffee itself is very clean and smooth.
Is siphon coffee better?
Yes, siphon coffee is definitely better than regular coffee! It’s because the brewing process is so much more efficient and results in a significantly better-tasting cup of coffee.
Is pour-over coffee the best method?
Yes, if you’re looking for a brewing method that’s easy to learn. Pour-over brewing also gives the coffee drinker more control over factors like water temperature and grind size, which can result in a tastier cup of coffee.
