TONY explainer: Brewing methods

We've broken down even the geekiest brew methods and shared the best spots to sample each technique.

By Mari Uyehara Tue Dec 7 2010

Best coffee in NYC

  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

    brewmachine01

  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

    brewmachine02

  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

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  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

    brewmachine04

  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

    brewmachine05

  • Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

    brewmachine06

Photograph: Kirby Tidwell

brewmachine01

Pour-over | Espresso | Aeropress | Siphon | Cold brew | French press | Machine drip

MACHINE DRIP

What it is: Machine-drip coffee, the process behind most standard grab-and-go cups, is fast becoming the dial-up of brew methods—it gets the job done, but not particularly well. Though a few of the elites have eliminated machine-drip from their lineups, most keep them around to sate fast-moving customers looking for a quick caffeine fix. In a standard automatic machine, water flows through grinds and drips into an urn, where it sometimes sits for too long (thus earning its stale reputation). Though it may not be a coffee snob's preferred choice, any caf worth its beans makes sure its machine-drip brew is something to be proud of.

Where to try it: Bluebird, 72 E 1st St between First and Second Aves (212-260-879, bluebirdcoffeeshop.com) * Third Rail, 240 Sullivan St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts (thirdrailcoffee.com)

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