A Beginner’s Guide to Pour-Over Coffee

Pour-over coffee is the perfect blend of art and science, where you have full control over every step of the brewing process. If you’re tired of the one-button convenience of a drip machine and ready to take your coffee game up a notch, pour-over is where it’s at. 

What Is Pour-Over Coffee?

Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You manually pour hot water over ground coffee in a filter, allowing the water to extract the flavors from the coffee grounds and drip into your cup. Unlike automated methods, pour-over gives you more control over factors like water flow, temperature, and brewing time, so you can fine-tune the process to get that perfect cup.


Benefits of Pour-Over Coffee

So, why bother with the pour-over method when a coffee maker can do the job for you? Here are a few reasons:

  1. Better Flavor Control: Pour-over allows you to control the brewing time and water flow, resulting in a more nuanced and balanced cup of coffee. You can highlight the coffee’s natural flavors, making it a great method for single-origin beans.
  2. Consistency: Once you dial in your technique, you can replicate that perfect cup every time. No more guessing if your coffee will be too weak or too strong.
  3. Cleaner Cup: The paper filter used in most pour-over devices captures the oils and fines (tiny coffee particles) that can make coffee taste bitter or muddy. The result is a clean, crisp cup with more distinct flavors.
  4. Mindful Brewing: Pour-over coffee forces you to slow down and actually think about what you’re doing. It’s a calming, almost meditative way to start your day, letting you appreciate the process as much as the result.

Common Pour-Over Devices

Now that we’ve got you hyped on the method, let’s talk about the tools of the trade. There are a few different pour-over devices you can choose from, each with its own quirks.

  1. Hario V60: The classic. Known for its conical shape and large hole at the bottom, the V60 allows you to control the water flow more freely. It’s great for coffee enthusiasts who want to tweak every aspect of their brew.
  2. Chemex: More than just a brewing device, the Chemex is an iconic piece of coffee gear that also doubles as kitchen decor. Its thicker paper filters produce a cleaner cup, with fewer oils and sediments. It’s perfect for making multiple cups at once.
  3. Kalita Wave: This flat-bottomed brewer provides a more consistent extraction, thanks to its smaller, controlled water flow. It’s ideal for beginners who want an easier way to achieve balance in their brew.
  4. Melitta: One of the oldest pour-over devices on the market, the Melitta features a flat-bottom filter, which helps to evenly distribute the water over the grounds. It’s simple, straightforward, and a great introduction to pour-over.

Variables to Consider When Brewing Pour-Over at Home

Pour-over coffee is all about the variables. The good news is that once you get a handle on them, you’re in full control of your coffee experience. Here are the most important factors to consider:

1. Grind Size

For pour-over, you’ll want a medium-fine grind—something between table salt and sand. Too coarse, and the water will pass through too quickly, leaving you with weak coffee. Too fine, and you’ll over-extract the coffee, making it bitter. For best results, grind your coffee fresh right before brewing.

2. Water Temperature

The ideal water temperature for pour-over is between 195°F and 205°F. Boiling water can scorch your grounds, while cooler water won’t extract enough flavor. If you don’t have a fancy kettle with temperature control, just let the water sit for about 30 seconds after boiling to hit the sweet spot.

3. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

A general rule of thumb for pour-over is a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. That means for every 1 gram of coffee, use 16 grams of water. If you’re making a single cup, that usually translates to about 20-25 grams of coffee to 320-400 grams of water. Feel free to adjust to taste.

4. Pour Technique

Start by wetting the coffee grounds with a small amount of water (called the bloom) to release gases and let the grounds settle. After about 30 seconds, continue pouring in a slow, circular motion, ensuring all the grounds are evenly saturated.

5. Brewing Time

The total brewing time for pour-over is typically between 3 to 4 minutes. If the coffee is flowing too quickly or slowly, adjust your grind size accordingly. A longer brew time generally extracts more complex flavors, but be careful not to overdo it.


Why Single-Origin Coffee Shines in a Pour-Over

Pour-over is the ideal method for single-origin coffees because it highlights the subtle nuances and unique characteristics of the beans. With full control over the brewing process, you can extract the best flavors from high-quality single-origin beans.

Berry Kiss, our Ethiopian single-origin, bursts with bright, fruity flavors that are perfectly accentuated by the pour-over method. Alternatively, Out of Your Element brings out the rich, balanced tones of Costa Rican coffee, making it a well-rounded choice for a smooth and satisfying brew.

For a deeper dive into the difference between single-origin and blends, read more here.

The Final Pour

There’s something incredibly satisfying about crafting your coffee by hand. The process gives you control, creativity, and—let’s be honest—a bit of coffee geek cred. So grab a bag and get brewing! Your morning routine just got a whole lot better.

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