Master the Art of Pour Over Coffee for the Perfect Cup

Pour over coffee is one of the purest ways to enjoy your brew. It’s all about patience, precision, and extracting the best flavors from your beans. If you’re a fan of clean, vibrant coffee with complex notes, pour over might just become your new favorite brewing method. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to brew a perfect cup with your pour over setup.

What You’ll Need:

• Pour Over Device: We recommend a Chemex or a Hario V60.
• Coffee Filter: Use paper filters designed for your specific pour over device.
• Freshly Ground Coffee: Coarse to medium grind works best. Fresh beans = better flavor.
• Hot Water: Ideally between 195°F to 205°F.
• Gooseneck Kettle: For controlled, precise pouring.
• A Scale: To measure coffee and water for perfect accuracy.
• Timer: Time is key for consistency in pour over brewing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing Pour Over Coffee

1. Measure Your Coffee and Water

The ideal ratio for pour over coffee is 1:15, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. A standard starting point is 25 grams of coffee to 375 grams of water, which will yield about 12 ounces of coffee.

• If you're making more or less coffee, adjust the ratio while keeping it around 1:15 to maintain balance.

2. Heat Your Water

Bring your water to a temperature of 195°F to 205°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, simply bring the water to a boil, then let it sit for about 30 seconds to cool slightly.

3. Grind Your Coffee

Use a burr grinder for consistent results. For pour over, a medium grind (similar to sea salt) works well. Freshly ground beans make all the difference in flavor.

4. Rinse Your Filter

Place the paper filter in your pour over device and pour hot water through it. This rinses the filter to remove any paper taste and warms up your brewing vessel. After rinsing, discard the water.

5. Add Coffee Grounds

Place your freshly ground coffee into the filter, making sure the grounds are leveled evenly. This ensures an even extraction when you begin pouring.

6. Bloom Your Coffee

Pour just enough hot water over the grounds to saturate them (about twice the amount of water as coffee—50 grams of water for 25 grams of coffee). Let the coffee “bloom” for about 30 seconds. This process releases the trapped gases from the freshly ground coffee and prepares it for the full brew.

• You’ll notice the coffee grounds expand and bubble during the bloom—this is a good sign of freshness.

7. Begin Pouring

After the bloom, slowly pour the rest of your hot water in a circular motion, starting from the center of the grounds and spiraling outwards. Avoid pouring directly onto the sides of the filter. Try to keep your pouring steady and even, maintaining a consistent flow.

• Pour in stages: pour about 100 grams of water at a time, letting the coffee drip before adding more water. This controlled method helps extract all the flavors without overwhelming the grounds.

8. Let it Drip

Once you’ve finished pouring (around 3 to 4 minutes total), allow the coffee to drip completely through the filter. You’ll know you’re done when the stream of water becomes slow and light. Be patient—don’t rush the process!

9. Serve and Enjoy

Remove the filter and pour your fresh coffee into your favorite mug. You should have a clean, bright, and aromatic cup of coffee ready to enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Pour Over:

• Use Fresh Beans: Freshly roasted beans make all the difference in pour over brewing. Try our [Single-Origin Collection] for vibrant, complex flavors that shine in this method.
• Even Pouring: Consistency in your pouring speed and motion is key. Use a gooseneck kettle for precise control.
• Experiment with Ratios: The standard ratio is 1:15, but feel free to adjust it to your taste. For a stronger cup, try 1:14; for a lighter brew, go for 1:16.
• Mind the Grind: If your coffee tastes too bitter, your grind may be too fine. If it’s too weak, the grind might be too coarse. Adjust accordingly for the perfect balance.

Why Pour Over?

The pour over method is all about precision and control. Unlike automatic coffee makers, the pour over gives you complete control over the brewing time, water flow, and temperature, allowing you to extract the best flavors from your beans. It’s a ritual that not only delivers incredible coffee but also enhances your connection to the process.

Plus, pour over coffee tends to highlight the subtle, complex flavors in single-origin coffees, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts who enjoy discovering the nuances in every cup. If you want a coffee experience that’s clean, vibrant, and full of depth, pour over is the way to go.