How the Main Coffee Brewing Methods Emerged — Part 1

The history of coffee is also the history of how different cultures and inventors transformed the way we prepare and enjoy this beverage across the centuries.

9th Century: Ethiopian Origins

The Ethiopians initially chewed coffee cherries, later discovering that roasting, grinding, and boiling the beans created an energizing beverage. This was the first transformation of coffee into a drink.

15th Century: Turkish Coffee and the Cezve

Turkish coffee culture emerged using the cezve method — finely ground beans boiled with water, sugar, and spices. This traditional method remains popular to this day.

1840: The Siphon

A French woman invented the siphon method, using vacuum and condensation principles to create a clean and aromatic beverage. This scientific technique fascinates to this day with its visual presentation.

1852: French Press — The Prototype

Delforge and Mayer patented the prototype of the French press, a method that would become one of the most popular and accessible ways to brew coffee at home.

1908: The Paper Filter

German inventor Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz revolutionized home coffee brewing by creating the paper filter, making the process cleaner and more convenient.

1901: The Espresso Machine

Italian Luigi Bezzera invented the first espresso machine, introducing the concept of extraction under pressure that would define modern coffee.

1933: Moka Pot

Luigi De Ponti and Alfonso Bialetti created the Moka coffee maker, making espresso accessible for home use. This Italian design icon remains popular worldwide.

Conclusion

Each brewing method represents not just a technical innovation but also reflects the culture and values of the era in which it was developed. This journey through the history of brewing methods continues in Part 2, where we will explore the modern innovations of the 20th and 21st centuries.