Which Coffee Is Better: Immersion or Percolation?

I have always been a fan of coffee since I can remember, and I have been brewing my own coffee at home since 2016. I started out with the French Press since it was the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way for me to brew my own coffee. It wasn’t until the lockdown in 2020 that I started looking into different other brewing methods.

I first invested into Chemex-type pour over set and then a moka pot and then an Aeropress, and things just kind of went spiralling from there. Now I have a French Press, a moka pot, an Aeropress Go, a Hario V60, an Ibrik, a Delter Coffee Press, a Chemex-type set, and an espresso machine. I have also invested in other equipment like a scale, manual coffee grinders, serving jars and carafes,  and an electronic gooseneck kettle with temperature control.

Because of this hobby, people normally ask for coffee brewing tips from me when they start brewing their own coffee at home. I also get asked why I have so different sets of brewing equipment at home when one could have been enough. Well, the answer is simple. Every brewing method yields a different flavor profile despite using the same type of coffee beans.

Immersion and Percolation Coffee: The Difference

Immersion brewing and percolation brewing are two methods of making coffee. The main difference between them is how water and coffee are combined to extract the coffee’s flavor. Both methods can produce good coffee, but the choice of method depends on personal preference and desired flavor profile.

Immersion Coffee

In immersion brewing, coffee grounds are fully immersed in hot water, steeping like tea. The coffee then filters out of the water after a certain amount of time. Some of the well-known immersion brewing methods and equipment are the French Press or cafetière, the Aeropress, Siphon, and the Eva Café Solo, or even cold brew.

The following are some of the key characteristics of immersion coffee:

• Bold Flavor. Immersion brewing often results in a bold and rich flavor due to the extended contact time between the water and coffee grounds.
• Full Body. Immersion coffee typically has a heavier, full-bodied texture compared to percolation coffee.
• Higher Oil Content. Immersion brewing typically results in a higher concentration of oils and solids, which contributes to the coffee’s full-bodied texture and rich flavor.
• More Sediment. Because the coffee grounds are fully immersed in water, immersion brewing often results in more sediment in the cup compared to percolation brewing.
• Less Bright. Immersion coffee is often described as less bright and acidic compared to percolation coffee.
• Long Steep Time. Immersion brewing requires a longer steep time compared to percolation brewing, which can range from several minutes to several hours, depending on the type of immersion brewing method used.

Note: These characteristics can vary based on the specific type of immersion brewing method and the specific roast and grind of the coffee beans used.

Percolation Coffee

In percolation brewing, hot water is continuously passed through the coffee grounds, extracting flavor as it goes. The resulting coffee drips into a carafe or other container. Some of the famous percolation coffee brewing methods are the Delter Coffee Press, Vario V60, Kalita Clever and Wave, BeeHouse, Chemex, Moka Pot, and many more.

The following are some of the key characteristics of percolation coffee:

• Clean, Bright Flavor. Percolation brewing often results in a clean, bright flavor due to the continuous flow of water and the limited contact time between the water and coffee grounds.
• Light Body. Percolation coffee typically has a lighter, more delicate texture compared to immersion coffee.
• Lower Oil Content. Percolation brewing typically results in a lower concentration of oils and solids compared to immersion brewing, which contributes to the coffee’s lighter texture and cleaner flavor.
• Less Sediment. Percolation brewing typically results in less sediment in the cup compared to immersion brewing due to the coffee grounds being filtered out during the brewing process.
• Bright Acidity. Percolation coffee is often described as having a bright and acidic flavor profile compared to immersion coffee.
• Quick Brew Time. Percolation brewing requires a relatively quick brew time compared to immersion brewing, typically only a few minutes, depending on the type of percolation brewing method used.

Note: These characteristics can vary based on the specific type of percolation brewing method and the specific roast and grind of the coffee beans used.

Which Is Better: Immersion or Percolation Coffee?

Personally, I prefer percolation coffee better because of the cleaner taste and mouthfeel. Whether immersion or percolation coffee is “better” is subjective and depends on personal taste preference. Both methods can produce high-quality coffee, but they result in different flavor profiles.

Ultimately, the best method for you depends on your individual taste preferences and what type of coffee you enjoy. You can experiment with different immersion and percolation coffee brewing methods and see which of those you enjoy the best.