Which brewing method requires immersion of coffee grounds in water?

French press brewing is characterized by its immersion method, where coffee grounds are steeped directly in hot water. In this technique, coarsely ground coffee is combined with hot water in a cylindrical carafe and allowed to steep for several minutes. This immersion allows for the extraction of oils and flavors, resulting in a full-bodied cup of coffee. After steeping, a plunger with a metal mesh filter is pressed down to separate the grounds from the liquid, leaving you with freshly brewed coffee.

The other brewing methods do not use the immersion process as their primary technique. For instance, Aeropress brewing involves a quick brewing process where hot water is forced through coffee grounds using air pressure, which differs significantly from the prolonged immersion of the French press. Drip brewing relies on water passing through the coffee grounds, usually through a filter, but does not involve steeping the grounds in the water like the French press. Lastly, espresso brewing uses high pressure to extract flavors from finely ground coffee very quickly, rather than allowing the grounds to steep in water.