A Step-by-Step Guide for Mastering the Art of Syphon Coffee Brewing

Whether you’re a passionate coffee enthusiast or just want to up your home brewing skills, syphon brewing is a method that you should know. Syphon coffee delivers a more distinct flavour profile, it only requires a few tools, and is quite simple to master.

So, if you are keen to stop making do with mediocre coffee, dive into the world of syphon coffee brewing and experience some decadent new flavours.

What is Syphon Coffee Brewing

Syphon coffee is a unique style of brewing with one of the most distinct flavour profiles. The syphon brewing method uses principles of expansion and contraction of water vapour to brew an infusion-style coffee, filtering the grounds efficiently for a delicate almost tea-like flavour.

With syphon brewing, you have complete control over the water temperature and brew time, allowing you to influence the flavour of the coffee to your liking. This means that once you master the basics, you can experiment with the temperature and times to bring out unique flavours, and create your perfect cup.

If you are searching for a light flavour of brewed coffee with a clean refreshing taste, syphon coffee is the ultimate go-to.

Essential Equipment for Syphon Coffee Brewing

To truly master the skill of syphon coffee brewing, you will need to purchase a few items. Depending on your skill level, budget, and dedication to the brewing process and perfect cup, you may choose to start with cheaper or second-hand options and then upgrade once you know you enjoy the method and want to advance. 

Conversely, if you’re a coffee aficionado or want the best chances of success right away, you can jump straight to the top of the market. Whatever you choose, these are the items you will need:

Syphon

The most important piece of equipment for syphon coffee brewing is, of course, the syphon. A syphon brewing device is comprised of two glass chambers–the top chamber and the bottom chamber–which rest on top of each other with a filter in between. They will usually also include a stand to hold the two chambers up off the bench and over the heat source.

The bottom chamber is where the water sits and is exposed to heat. The top chamber has a syphon tube attached where the filter for coffee is added.

While we don’t sell syphons at Merlo Coffee, you can purchase them from most kitchen or specialty or online coffee retailers, such as Alternative Brewing.com.au.

Burner

Most syphons will come with a burner that is designed to be used with the specific system and fits in the space between the base of the stand. Burners for coffee syphons usually run on denatured alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, to ensure a clean and safe burn indoors.

The burner sits underneath the bottom chamber to heat the water to your desired temperature for the perfect vapour and coffee flavour.

As with the syphon, we, unfortunately, do not stock burners. However, if your syphon does not come with a burner you can purchase these at most kitchen stores or online retailers that sell syphons, such as Alternative Brewing.com.au.

Freshly ground coffee 

The final most important ingredient in syphon coffee is the coffee blend. We recommend freshly ground coffee with a 5.7 grind rating for a smooth texture and flavour. If you own a grinder, you can grind your coffee at home, alternatively, we can grind your coffee to this rating at one of our brewhouses or you can purchase one of our ready-made blends online.

For the best taste, we recommend either our Private Coffee Blend or Espresso Blend. Or, you could try our Sample Pack which contains 4 x 250g of our favourite coffees.

Steps for Brewing Syphon Coffee at Home

Once you have purchased all of the required equipment, it’s time to start the exciting part: brewing your syphon coffee! We’ve created a step-by-step list to help you get started with confidence:

Step 1

The first step is to set up your syphon brewing device. Start by fitting the filter to your top glass chamber by dropping it in, pulling the beaded metal cord down and through the pipe and fixing it in place with the metal hook.

Step 2

Next, fill the bottom glass with water to the desired cup level. We generally use the ratio of 7 grams of coffee per 100ml of water. The water can be cold or preheated, but to speed up the brewing process, we recommend using pre-heated, filtered water that is just off the boil.

Step 3

Now, you can put all the parts of the syphon together. Carefully sit the top glass into the bottom glass, without sealing them and then position the Syphon over the burner.

Step 4

Finally, it’s time to add heat! Turn on the burner and watch the water begin to bubble. You can then fit the top glass so that it is sealed to the bottom glass. This vacuum will cause the water to travel up the pipe into the top glass as it heats. 

Once most of the water has transferred upwards into the top chamber and has reached the desired temperature–ideally between 90 to 96 degrees Celsius–you can add your ground coffee and stir to fully saturate the grounds. To prevent spills or burns while stirring, be sure to go slowly and use a measured side-to-side and front-to-back pattern rather than quick circles.

Step 5

After about 60 to 90 seconds, or your desired time, reduce the heat while continuing to stir carefully. Your brew should stay in the top glass, so you can give the brew a quick flurry stir just before time runs out.

Step 6

Turn off and remove the burner. Without a heat source, the water will filter back down into the bottom glass. Once all the liquid has filtered back into the bottom chamber, you can remove the top glass by gently rocking it back and forth to break the vacuum seal and then pulling the tube up and out of the bottom glass. 

Remember to be careful when touching the glass as it will be hot!

Step 7

Finally, all that is left to do is pour and enjoy! Pour the coffee from the bottom chamber into your favourite coffee mug or glass and then sit back and enjoy your perfectly brewed coffee.

Tips to Perfect Your Syphon Brewing Technique

Along with these steps, there are a few extra tips that can help improve your syphon coffee brewing experience for the perfect cup each time. 

Firstly, fresh is best when it comes to coffee! We recommend buying your coffee in smaller quantities, more frequently. This prevents wastage or stale coffees from beans that have been sitting in the back of your cupboard for too long.

Secondly, freshly ground coffee is best. You can grind it to the perfect rating with an at-home grinder, or visit one of our brewhouses for a custom-grind, just tell our staff how you make your coffee at home and we’ll grind it to the perfect rating. Alternatively, you can select your brewing method when you order online to have freshly ground coffee delivered straight to your door.

Finally, we recommend using filtered water where possible. Tap water can have many additives that can impact the flavour of your coffee, so for the best flavour and texture, it’s best to use filtered water if you can.

Master the Art of Syphon Coffee Brewing at Home

With these steps, the right equipment and the perfect coffee blend, you will be enjoying decadent syphon coffee in the comfort of your home in no time! It’s easier than you think!

Pick up a high-quality syphon at your local kitchen store or order one online from Alternative Brewing.com.au and explore our extensive range of specialty coffee bean blends to get started and dive into the world of syphon coffee brewing today!

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