A hot, aromatic cup of coffee in the morning is a great way to start the day. Coffee will provide more energy and help you stay awake all day long. And one of the ways to make coffee that retains the most original flavor is to percolate the coffee.
So how long to percolate coffee for the perfect brew? Or how should you percolate coffee to have the best flavor? All will be revealed in the following article. Don’t skip it if you don’t want to miss out on exclusive timing tips and how to make a perfect cup of coffee for an energetic breakfast.
What is Percolated Coffee?
Percolation coffee is one of the oldest coffee brewing methods, used for many years in the past. Percolation coffee is a method of passing boiling water through ground coffee to extract the “essence” of the coffee beans. The boiling water will slowly circulate through the tightly compressed coffee grounds below. As the water is gradually absorbed through the ground coffee, the water will carry both the flavor and aroma of the coffee, creating a strong cup of coffee.
Filter-brewed shall be characterized by a higher taste compared to other types of coffee brewed and is recommended for those people who have a strong preference for coffee. The brewing process has a slow drip step, which helps to highlight the natural and pleasant aroma of the coffee. In filter brewing, you will be allowed to appreciate the coffee to the highest level from the time of brewing up to the time of consuming the coffee.
When filter-brewed coffee is made, the degree of bitterness in the coffee will vary depending on the percolation time taken. Thus, you can increase or decrease the time to select a desired kind of coffee flavor.
Fun Fact: You may not know, but the percolator was the original method of brewing coffee. James Nason received a patent for the percolator in 1865. Brewing coffee with a percolator was the most common method of brewing coffee until the invention of the drip coffee maker in the 20th century.
How Long to Percolate Coffee for Best Results?
One of the most general questions when it comes to filtering coffee is how much time it takes for the ideal percolation of coffee. Usually, it takes approximately 5-7 minutes to go through the process of percolation. However, there is so much that could affect this time, from the roast level right to the size of the ground coffee, the temperature of the water, or even the type of percolation pot. Besides, regulating the time of percolation is also quite possible so that the flavor of coffee can also be tailored to one’s preference.
This will help you build a better understanding of percolation time in coffee. Now, let’s go ahead and find out what determines the percolation time.
First is the roast level. Dark-roasted coffee usually has a faster percolation time because the beans release their flavor more easily. Meanwhile, light-roasted coffee needs a longer percolation time to fully develop its flavor.
Next is the grind size. The finer the grinding, the faster the time for percolation. This means that if the coffee is finely ground, it allows water to percolate through faster, and its time will be shorter. On the other hand, coarsely ground coffee requires longer percolation time; its water takes more time to extract the full flavor.
Water temperature also directly affects how long to percolate coffee. High water temperature will speed up the percolation process, creating a stronger flavor. Conversely, low water temperature will prolong the percolation time of the coffee.
In addition, the type of coffee also affects the percolation time of the coffee. For example, Arabica coffee will require more percolation time than Robusta because of its high oil content. Finally, the freshness of the coffee also affects the percolation time. Freshly ground coffee will have a faster percolation time because the flavor is stronger and easier to extract than old coffee.
A How to Percolate Coffee Guide Step-by-Step
Although percolation is a famous and long-standing coffee brewing method, very few people know how to percolate coffee properly. Don’t worry, today you will experience a “course” in percolation coffee completely free.
Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Tools
Get everything you need ready to start brewing. Clean the percolator where the old coffees are thoroughly flushed out so that the original taste of the coffee is not affected. You need to check if any parts are damaged to avoid affecting the coffee permeation process.
Install the percolator according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If using an electric percolator, you need to check the power source. As for the percolator brewed on the stove, you should ensure the appropriate temperature.
Step 2: Measure the Right Amount of Water and Coffee
This is the most important step in the percolation process to bring out the best coffee flavor. If you want a strong cup of coffee, use a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water. Conversely, if you want a light percolated coffee, increase the coffee-to-water ratio to 1:17.
Typically, we can measure 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee against 6 ounces of water for a normal-sized cup and strong coffee. However, you can always adjust according to your taste.
Step 3: Start Heating the Water
You need to pour the appropriate amount of water measured in the previous step into the percolator’s water tank. Then, place the percolator on a suitable power source or stove. You will need to boil the water until it reaches the ideal temperature for brewing coffee, usually around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
Step 4: Add Coffee to the Percolator
Continue to pour the coffee measured in step 2 into the inner basket. You should use a small spoon to distribute the amount of coffee in the basket evenly. Then, put the basket back into the percolator and make sure the basket is firmly fixed. You need to close the filter tightly to avoid water overflow during the coffee percolation process.
Step 5: Start Brewing
You need to make sure that the percolator is assembled correctly and the coffee basket inside is securely fixed. Then, you need to place the percolator on a suitable power source or stove. Now the percolation process will begin.
You need to adjust the temperature to medium-low or medium to avoid the water boiling too quickly, affecting the ability of the coffee to permeate. Some percolators have a glass knob or transparent lid that allows you to monitor the brewing process. You need to observe to ensure that the right level of coffee permeation is achieved. If you want a stronger coffee, you can extend the percolation time.
Step 6: Remove from the heat and let the coffee “rest”
Once the coffee has reached the desired strength and color, you should remove the percolator from the heat and let the coffee rest for a few minutes. This rest period will allow the coffee grounds to settle and the coffee flavor will blend better. After the coffee has rested for a few minutes, you can start pouring it out and preparing it as desired.
Final Thought
So now you have the answer to the question of how long to percolate coffee, right? Normally, you will need 5-7 minutes to brew percolate coffee. However, the percolation time can vary depending on the type of coffee, grind size, roast level, water temperature, or type of percolate pot. Hopefully, the information we shared above has helped you know how to percolate coffee properly. Don’t forget to save the timing tips to create a perfect cup of coffee!
