Coffee Brew Guides

Whether you're making your very first cup of speciality coffee or you've been brewing at home for years, having a reliable recipe can make all the difference. Every coffee brewer extracts flavour slightly differently, and understanding how each one works will help you enjoy sweeter, cleaner and more balanced cups every day.

At Freda, every coffee is tested across a range of brewing methods before it reaches our website. These brew guides are the recipes I use myself, designed to be simple enough for beginners while producing café-quality coffee at home. Rather than chasing complicated techniques or expensive equipment, I believe brewing great coffee should be approachable, repeatable and enjoyable.

Below you'll find step-by-step guides for all of the brewers we currently recommend, from the iconic Hario V60 and Aeropress to newer brewers like the Orea Z1, Ceado Hoop and Next Level Pulsar.

Founder of Freda Speciality Coffee Roaster

Coffee Brewing Basics

If you're completely new to speciality coffee, start here. Our Coffee Brewing Basics guide explains the fundamentals that apply to every brewing method, including coffee-to-water ratios, grind size, brew time, water temperature and how freshness affects flavour. Master these simple principles and every cup you make will improve.

The Basics
Speciality Coffee Brewer, Hario V60 Pour Over Dripper

Hario V60 Brew Guide

The Hario V60 has become one of the most popular pour over coffee brewers in the world. It produces a beautifully clean, vibrant cup that allows the unique character of each coffee to shine through. Our V60 brew guide focuses on a straightforward recipe that's easy to repeat while delivering consistently delicious filter coffee.

Hario V60

Which Coffee Brewer Is Right For You?

One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "What's the best way to brew coffee?"

The honest answer is that there isn't one perfect brewer. Every method highlights different characteristics in the coffee, and the best choice often comes down to how much time you have, the flavours you enjoy and how involved you want to be in the brewing process.

If you enjoy a bright, clean cup that showcases delicate fruit flavours, a pour over brewer such as the Hario V60 or Orea Z1 is a fantastic choice.

If consistency is your priority, the Clever Dripper, Ceado Hoop and French Press are wonderfully forgiving and make excellent coffee with very little effort.

Looking for something versatile that can travel anywhere? The Aeropress has become one of the world's most popular coffee brewers thanks to its portability, speed and reliability.

Whichever method you choose, the biggest improvements to your coffee usually come from using freshly roasted speciality coffee, grinding your beans just before brewing and keeping your coffee-to-water ratio consistent.

Check out our brewing equipment!
Orea Z1 Speciality Pour Over Coffee Brewer

Orea Z1 Brew Guide

The Orea Z1 offers many of the benefits of classic pour over brewing while making consistency even easier. If you're looking for a balanced, sweet cup with excellent clarity, our Orea Z1 recipe is a brilliant place to start.

Orea Z1
Brewing with the pulsar speciality coffee brewer in Bond Street Coffee, Brighton, UK

NextLevel Pulsar Brew Guide

The NextLevel Pulsar has quickly become a favourite among speciality coffee enthusiasts thanks to its no-bypass design. Our brew guide helps you get the best from this innovative brewer, producing cups with impressive sweetness, body and clarity.

Pulsar
Brewing speciality coffee beans with a clever dripper in Bond Street Coffee, Brighton UK

Clever Dripper Brew Guide

The Clever Dripper combines immersion brewing with paper filtration, making it one of the easiest ways to brew consistently excellent filter coffee. If you enjoy rich sweetness without needing perfect pouring technique, this guide is for you.

Clever Dripper
Brewing Speciality Coffee in Bond Street Coffee, Brighton UK with an Aeropress

Aeropress Brew Guide

Simple, portable and incredibly forgiving, the Aeropress is loved by coffee professionals and beginners alike. Whether you're brewing before work or taking coffee on holiday, our Aeropress recipe produces a balanced, full-flavoured cup every time.

Aeropress

Tips For Brewing Better Coffee

No matter which brewing method you choose, a few simple habits will have a huge impact on the quality of your coffee.

Start with freshly roasted speciality coffee and, if possible, grind your beans immediately before brewing. Freshly ground coffee retains far more aroma and flavour than pre-ground coffee.

Use filtered water whenever you can. Coffee is more than 98% water, so improving your water quality often improves your coffee immediately.

Digital scales are one of the best investments any home brewer can make. Measuring your coffee and water accurately helps you recreate great cups again and again.

Finally, don't worry about chasing perfection. Coffee brewing is part science and part enjoyment. Small adjustments to grind size or brew time can make a noticeable difference, so experiment, make notes and discover what tastes best to you.

Have a look at what coffees we have in stock!
Pouring Freda Speciality Coffee from a french press, cafetiere

French Press Brew Guide

The French Press has remained a favourite for decades because it's simple, reliable and makes wonderfully rich coffee. Our guide shows how a few small adjustments can reduce bitterness and produce a cleaner, sweeter brew.

French Press
Brewing Speciality Coffee in Bond Street Coffee, Brighton, UK with the Ceado Hoop

Ceado Hoop Brew Guide

The Ceado Hoop is designed to make exceptional filter coffee with minimal effort. Its innovative design makes brewing approachable while still producing clean, sweet cups that highlight the best qualities of speciality coffee beans.

Ceado Hoop
Iced v60 filter coffee, made with speciality coffee beans

Iced Pour Over Coffee Guide

When the weather warms up, few drinks are as refreshing as a properly brewed iced pour over coffee. Our flash brew recipe locks in sweetness and aroma while avoiding the watery flavour that often comes from simply pouring hot coffee over ice.

Iced Pour Over

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee brewing method is best?

There isn't a single best brewing method. The right brewer depends on the flavours you enjoy, how much time you have and how involved you want to be. Every method on this page is capable of producing exceptional speciality coffee.

Which brewer is easiest for beginners?

The Clever Dripper, Ceado Hoop and French Press are all excellent choices for beginners because they're forgiving and consistently produce delicious coffee with very little technique.

What's the difference between filter coffee and pour over coffee?

Pour over coffee is a type of filter coffee. Filter coffee includes any brewing method where water passes through ground coffee and a filter, including brewers like the V60, Orea Z1, Clever Dripper and Ceado Hoop.

Should I grind my own coffee?

Yes, if you can. Grinding your coffee immediately before brewing preserves more aroma and flavour, giving you a fresher and sweeter cup.

Which coffee beans should I use?

All of these recipes have been developed using freshly roasted speciality coffee. You can browse our range of single origin coffees and house blends to find the perfect coffee for your chosen brewing method.