Looking to expand your coffee horizons? Check out these 4 ways distinct ways to brew gourmet coffee to enhance your experience.

1.The Pour Over

This nifty little device has been making its way into gourmet coffee shops around the world. You’ve likely seen it around in the trendiest parts of town even if you’ve never actually tried it.

Don’t be fooled by its complex aesthetic – the method itself is actually quite simple. Think of it as a manual version of drip coffee, except in this case it’s gravity doing the work rather than electricity.

2. The Siphon/Vacuum Coffee Maker

If this gourmet coffee maker looks like an antique, that’s because it technically is. With the concept dating back to the 1800s, siphon coffee makers or vacuum coffee makers are having their moment on the gourmet coffee scene.

This method is a little complex, messy and expensive, but some swear by the incredible quality of coffee it delivers. Basically, as the bottom is heated, the water vapour rises up into the top compartment, brewing the coffee up top and bringing it back down again as it drips. At 10-15 minutes a brew, this method is for those with patience and time.

3. The Vietnamese Filter

This method hails to us from, you guessed it, Vietnam. If you’ve ever stepped into a pho restaurant or Vietnamese shop, you’ve probably already encountered one of these.

It may look like a simple contraption (especially compared to a few of the others listed here), but the results are absolutely delicious. The idea is that the coffee drips so slowly in to the cup, that it has time to soak up all of flavour and richness. Traditionally, the bottom of the cup is filled with condensed milk, meant to balance out the thick and bitter coffee that drips in. This coffee can be made hot, or the cup can be filled with ice for a chilled option.

4. The Cold Drip Brew

Another device suited to a mad scientist, cold drip brew coffee is similar to cold brew coffee, but separates the cold water and coffee grounds completely. This coffee brewing technique involves a cold drip apparatus (a fancy way of saying ‘drip tower’), typically made from three glass vessels. The iced water slowly drips over your freshly ground coffee; the grounds absorbs each drip of water, which then drips into a separate vessel at the bottom of the apparatus.

This coffee brewing method isn’t for the coffee lover that needs a quick morning coffee – cold drip brews can take anywhere between 3.5 hours to 12 hours, depending on the amount. Cold drip coffee is traditionally served over ice as an espresso-sized shot (45ml).

Regardless of how you brew, it’s all for naught if you aren’t using a worthy gourmet coffee blend. Check out Fusion’s distinct coffee grounds and beans and elevate your coffee experience.