So, which brewing method takes the longest? From programmable automatic drip brewers to pour-overs, espresso, and cold brew—I’ve pretty much used every brewing method out there.
From my personal experience, anything that’s cold brewed will take the longest period. And your shortest time to brew is going to be the AeroPress, pretty much every time.
Coffee brewing is an art that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment to achieve a perfect cup of coffee. There are tons of ways to brew coffee. And among the various brewing methods, some take longer than others.
Each brewing process is influenced by a unique combo of factors, including water temperature, grind size, and the brewing method.
That means your brewing method has the biggest influence on your overall brew time.
In this article, we will explore brew times and discover which one takes the longest, the shortest—and the brewers in between.
Which Brewing Method Takes the Longest? – And How Other Popular Processes Stack Up
Slowest: The Cold Brew Method
Time to brew: Up to 24 hours
The cold brew method is a slow coffee brewing technique that involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period.
This method takes between 12 to 24 hours to brew, making it the slowest coffee brewing method. The cold brew method produces a smooth, less acidic coffee, making it popular among coffee enthusiasts.
The Drip Coffee Method
Time to brew: 5-6 minutes
The drip coffee method, also known as the automatic coffee maker, is one of the most common coffee brewing techniques worldwide. It involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds placed in a filter, which then drips into a carafe below.
The drip coffee method takes approximately five to six minutes to brew, making it one of the slowest coffee brewing methods.
The French Press Method
Time to brew: 4-5 minutes
The French press method, also known as the plunger pot, is one of the most popular coffee brewing methods worldwide.
You steep coffee grounds in hot water for four to five minutes, then press the plunger down to separate the coffee from the grounds.
The Pour-Over Method
Time to brew: 3-4 minutes
The pour-over method is another popular coffee brewing technique that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds placed in a filter.
This method requires careful attention to the pouring technique, water temperature, and grind size.
The pour-over method takes approximately three to four minutes to brew, making it slightly faster than the French press method.
Fastest: The Aeropress Method
Time to brew: 1-3 minutes
The AeroPress method involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water for a short period, then using air pressure to extract the coffee from the grounds.
The AeroPress takes approximately two minutes to brew, making it the fastest coffee brewing method on our list.
TL;DR – Which Brewing Method Takes the Longest?
Cold brew takes between 12 to 24 hours to brew, making it the slowest coffee brewing method. The AeroPress method takes approximately two minutes to brew, making it one of the fastest.
Coffee brewing methods vary in time, flavor, and complexity. Some coffee brewing methods take longer than others.
Now that you know how slow certain ones will go, learn about another vital part of the brewing process: how to find the right coffee grind size (chart included) for your brewing method of choice.
