How to Brew Siphon Coffee

Wondering how to brew Siphon Coffee? Grab your gear and check out this post now to make your cup of Siphon Coffee. 

You slide up to the counter at your local java hotspot, exchange pleasantries, and quip, “one cup of siphon coffee to go, please!” Chances are this is not a familiar experience to you. Owners of the Blue Bottle Cafe shelled out $20,000 to buy a specialty siphon coffee brewing machine ten years ago, which, given inflation, is way more money than we can comfortably imagine.

But don’t be discouraged — for a modest price you can enjoy a smooth, delicate cup of siphon coffee at home. Here’s how.

What Is Siphon Coffee?

Siphon coffee is brewed with a specialized device, sometimes called a siphon bar or vacpot, that brews coffee using vacuums and vapor pressure. When siphon coffee first became popular way back in the 1840s, many coffee junkies were in agreement that boiling coffee ruined the taste. Siphon coffee emerged as an intriguing alternative that provides a visual spectacle compared to other brewing methods.

Who invented siphon coffee? Though the first patent was filed in Berlin in the 1830’s, vacuum coffee brewers were developed simultaneously in Scotland and France. The first commercially successful siphon coffee brewer was developed by Marie Fanny Amelne Massot, also known as Mme. Vassieux, in Lyons, France.

Siphon coffee fell out of favor in the United States as electrical drip brewers and coffee makers became household staples. However, the exciting display and crisp coffee resulting from a siphon bar have led to a resurgence in the past decade. 

What You’ll Need

Are you ready to dive into the art of siphon coffee? The most important component is a siphon coffee maker. Luckily you can order a basic yet effective model on Amazon for less than $70, which won’t break your bank account. Compare brands online and consider your budget to decide on your preferred siphon coffee maker. 

Here’s what else you’ll need:
 

• Around 1 ounce of coffee beans

• Coffee grinder

• Siphon filter

• 1 cup of hot water (filtered, if possible)

• Thermometer

• Butane burner

• Stirring paddle

How to Make Siphon Coffee

• First, start boiling a little more than one cup of water in a kettle to heat it up.
   

• Soak the siphon filter in water for five minutes, and drop it into the upper bowl. Hook the filter in place with the chain included and place the upper bowl atop the holder.
   

• Weigh out about an ounce of coffee beans and grind them to a medium coarseness, a bit finer than what you would use for drip coffee.
   

• Pour your hot water into the lower bowl of the siphon coffee maker. Now let’s get to brewing!
   

• Ignite the butane burner, which should be situated directly below the lower bowl. The water in the lower bowl will begin to boil and rise to the upper bowl. Measure the temperature in the upper bowl and stabilize it at around 188-190 degrees Fahrenheit.
   

• Add your coffee to the upper bowl. Gently rub your stirring paddle along the top of the coffee for 30 seconds to ensure all of the grounds are moistened by the hot water.
   

• Allow the coffee to brew for an additional 40 seconds. The time elapsed since the coffee is added should be right around 1 minute and 10 seconds. Stir the coffee with the paddle for 10 rotations or less. Create a deep, fast whirling motion with as few stirs as possible.
   

• Turn off your butane burner and remove the heat source completely. Within 30 to 45 seconds your brewed siphon coffee should descend into the lower bowl.
   

• Gently remove the upper bowl by rocking it back and forth and twisting to separate it from the lower bowl.
   

• Allow the coffee to cool for two to three minutes and then serve immediately for a complex, invigorating cup of coffee.
   

Give your siphon coffee a rich, layered flavor profile by using only the top 1% of Arabica beans in the world. Order the best coffee available online right here at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf ® for all of your explorations into coffee home brewing.