Published by MODN Coffee | Reading time: 5 minutes

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Here's something the coffee world doesn't tell you often enough — there is no best brewing method. There's only the best brewing method for you.

Your lifestyle, your taste preferences, how much time you have in the morning, whether you take milk or drink it black — all of these things affect which method will give you the cup you actually want.

So let's cut through the noise and break it down simply.

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The Cafetière (French Press)

The cafetière — also known as a French press — is probably the most popular home brewing method in the UK, and for good reason. It's simple, affordable, and produces a rich, full-bodied cup with minimal effort.

How it works: Coarsely ground coffee steeps in hot water for around 4 minutes. You then press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the liquid and pour immediately.

What it tastes like: Bold, rich, and full-bodied. Because there's no paper filter, the natural oils from the coffee pass through into your cup — giving it a heavier, more textured mouthfeel. It's a satisfying, hearty brew.

Best for:

• People who like a strong, robust cup
• Those who take their coffee with milk
• Anyone who wants a simple, no-fuss morning routine
• Brewing multiple cups at once

Things to watch:

• Pour immediately after plunging — leaving it sitting continues the extraction and leads to bitterness
• Use a coarse grind — fine grounds slip through the mesh and make the cup gritty
• Invest in a decent cafetière — cheap ones with poor mesh filters let too many grounds through

Ideal MODN roast: Medium to dark roast

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Pour Over (V60 / Chemex)

Pour over is the method that specialty coffee lovers tend to gravitate towards — and once you try a well-made pour over, it's easy to understand why. It produces a clean, bright, incredibly nuanced cup that lets the natural flavours of the bean shine through.

How it works: Hot water is poured slowly and deliberately over ground coffee in a filter cone. The water passes through the grounds and a paper filter, dripping into a cup or vessel below. The whole process takes about 3 to 4 minutes.

What it tastes like: Clean, light, and complex. The paper filter removes the oils and fine particles, producing a crystal-clear cup with bright, delicate flavours. If your coffee has fruity, floral, or tea-like notes — pour over is where you'll taste them best.

Best for:

• People who drink their coffee black
• Those who enjoy exploring different flavour profiles
• Anyone who likes a lighter, more delicate cup
• Coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the ritual of brewing

Things to watch:

• It requires a little more attention than a cafetière — you can't just walk away
• A gooseneck kettle helps control the pour, though it's not essential
• Use a medium-fine grind and filtered water for best results

Ideal MODN roast: Light to medium roast

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The Moka Pot

The moka pot is an Italian classic — a stovetop brewer that produces a strong, concentrated coffee somewhere between a cafetière and an espresso. It's beloved for its simplicity, durability, and the incredibly intense cup it produces.

How it works: Water in the bottom chamber heats up and creates pressure, forcing hot water up through the ground coffee and into the upper chamber. The whole process takes around 5 to 7 minutes on a low heat.

What it tastes like: Strong, bold, and intense. It's not quite espresso — there's less pressure involved — but it's the closest you'll get without an espresso machine. Rich, concentrated, and deeply satisfying.

Best for:

• People who love strong coffee
• Those who enjoy espresso-style drinks at home
• Anyone who wants a sturdy, long-lasting brewer
• Coffee drinkers who like their brew with warm milk or in a latte-style drink

Things to watch:

• Always use a low heat — too high and the coffee scorches before it reaches the top chamber
• Don't pack the grounds too tightly — it can create dangerous pressure build-up
• Remove from the heat as soon as the upper chamber is full to avoid over-extraction

Ideal MODN roast: Medium-dark to dark roast

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The AeroPress

Honourable mention — the AeroPress deserves a place in this conversation. It's compact, incredibly versatile, virtually indestructible, and produces a brilliant cup in under 2 minutes. It's the perfect travel brewer and a firm favourite among coffee enthusiasts.

It can mimic a cafetière-style brew or an espresso-style concentrate depending on how you use it — making it the most adaptable brewer on this list.

Ideal MODN roast: Any — it's genuinely that versatile

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Quick Comparison

	Cafetière	Pour Over	Moka Pot	AeroPress
Effort	Low	Medium	Low-Medium	Low
Brew Time	4 mins	3–4 mins	5–7 mins	1–2 mins
Cup Style	Rich, bold	Clean, bright	Strong, intense	Versatile
Best With Milk?	✅ Yes	❌ Not ideal	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Price	£10–£20	£15–£30	£20–£40	£25–£35
Best Roast	Medium-Dark	Light-Medium	Dark	Any

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So Which Should You Choose?

If you want simple and satisfying — go with a cafetière. It's reliable, easy, and produces a great cup every time.

If you want clean and complex and enjoy the ritual — try pour over.

If you want strong and intense — the moka pot is your match.

If you want maximum flexibility — the AeroPress does it all.

And remember — whichever method you choose, the quality of your beans is still the single biggest factor in how good your cup tastes. Start with freshly roasted coffee and every brew method improves dramatically.

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Find the Perfect Beans for Your Brew

At MODN Coffee we roast fresh and ship straight to your door — so whatever method you're brewing with, you're starting with the best possible ingredient.

👉 Shop MODN Coffee at modncoffee.com

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Which brew method do you use at home? Let us know in the comments — we'd love to hear from you.

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Tags: french press vs pour over, best home coffee brewing method UK, cafetière vs pour over, moka pot coffee, how to brew coffee at home, AeroPress, MODN Coffee