Coffee guide
Espresso, plunger, pour-over, stovetop. The way you brew changes how your coffee tastes as much as the beans do. Here's a plain guide to the four most common methods and how to pick yours.
Each method pulls something different out of the same beans. Espresso is intense and quick, plunger is full-bodied and easy, pour-over is clean and bright, stovetop is rich and old-school. Match the method to the cup you want, then let the coffee finder point you to a King Carlos coffee that suits it. Free shipping over $80.
- Since 2002Roasting in Hurstville
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The four methods, plainly
Espresso forces hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure, giving a small, intense shot and the base for milk drinks. A plunger steeps coarse grounds and presses them down, for a full, forgiving cup with no special skill needed.
Pour-over drips water through a paper filter for a clean, bright cup that shows off a single origin. Stovetop bubbles water up through the grounds for a strong, rich brew that sits between espresso and filter. None is better, they're just different.
Match the method to the cup
A quick guide. The finder matches a specific King Carlos coffee to whichever you choose.
| Tastes like | Suits | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Intense, syrupy, the base for milk | Milk drinkers and quick mornings |
| Plunger | Full-bodied, forgiving, easy | Relaxed brewing, no kit needed |
| Pour-over | Clean and bright, shows origin | Black coffee and single origins |
| Stovetop | Strong and rich, old-school | A bold cup with a moka pot |
Tips for a better cup
- Grind to suit the method: fine for espresso, coarse for plunger
- Use fresh beans, roasted in Hurstville
- Match the coffee to the method with the finder
- Milk drinks love a chocolatey blend; black and filter love a bright single origin
- Free shipping over $80, Australia-wide
Want your own house blend?
Brew your own way with your own coffee. You can build your own blend to suit your method and taste.
Brew method FAQ
Which brew method is best?
None is best, they're different. Espresso is intense, plunger is easy and full-bodied, pour-over is clean and bright, stovetop is strong and rich. Pick the cup you want.
What coffee suits espresso?
A blend with chocolate and caramel sweetness works beautifully through milk. Gran Mezcla, for example, is made for espresso, milk drinks and stovetop.
What suits pour-over or filter?
A brighter single origin shows its character cleanest through a paper filter. The finder will match you to one.
Do I need a fancy machine?
No. A plunger or stovetop costs little and makes excellent coffee. Espresso needs a machine; the others don't.
How do I find the right King Carlos coffee?
Take the coffee finder, tell it how you brew, and it matches you to a blend or single origin.
Match your method to a coffee
Tell the finder how you brew and it'll point you to the King Carlos coffee that suits it.
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