The Ultimate Coffee Technique
It was in in the early 17th century when the
coffee bean was introduced to Europe. The
beans were just added to boiling water then
served leaving a bitter taste. The people
were just about to give up on the coffee when
a gentleman in France came up with a idea
of infusing the coffee by crushing the beans
and placing them in a linen bag and then
placing it in a metal pot until the desired
strength was achieved. The pot was usually a
pot with a spout in the side of the pot. It was
during these times many brewing techniques
were developed.
In the early 1800's coffee pots were developed so the coffee could be housed it a chamber in the top and hot water was added so a drip would occur (French Drip) and then be released from a valve at the bottom of the pot. The developers started patenting variations of the brewing techniques and the coffee wars were started. In the 1820's steam systems were made that would force the water upward into the coffee mass then release the drip. In 1827 a patent for a French peculator was grated were boiling water was raised through a tube and sprayed over the grounds in a filtered basket.
Then in the 1840's a man by the name of Robert Napier developed the vacuum coffee machine that consists of a silver canister, a brewing siphon, a strainer and container. Water is placed in the canister and a flame is lit underneath. The coffee grounds are placed in the container and the boiled water then fills the container and blends with the coffee. Once the process starts to cool it is siphoned back into the canister through a filter and can be served through the spout.
Many variations of this brewer have been made over the last century. The latest methods that are starting to come back for coffee lovers is the balanced siphon systems. This is a super fresh way to brew your favorite coffee and impress or entertain a few people as well! There is a lot to be said about this system and it might take a few seconds longer than the fancy machines of today but you know it fresh and hot. You can use any grounds you like as long as your filter is set for a fine ground. In many houses in Europe you will still find these timeless inventions.
Take a look at a few of the wild siphon inventions and the video below the will get your blood peculating.
