Pour over coffee is one of the most popular brewing methods today, thanks to its clean flavours and hands-on approach. It might look intimidating, but once you understand the basics, it’s actually one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to brew coffee at home.
Why Pour Over Coffee?
- Clarity of flavor: Highlights the unique notes of each bean.
- Control: You control brew time, water flow, and ratios.
- Beginner-friendly gear: Affordable drippers and filters make it accessible.
Core Pour Over Recipe
- Coffee: 18 g (medium-fine grind, like table salt)
- Water: 300 g (ml), filtered, at 94°C
- Ratio: 1:16–1:17
- Brew time: 2:30–3:00 minutes
Tip: Use a scale for consistency. 18 g in → 300 g water out is a great starting point.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place filter in your dripper and rinse with hot water. Discard rinse water.
- Add 18 g coffee to the filter. Gently shake to level the bed.
- Start your timer and bloom with 40 g water. Swirl to saturate grounds. Wait 30–45 seconds.
- Pour remaining water in slow circles, keeping the coffee bed flat. Target 300 g total by 2:00–2:15.
- Let drawdown finish around 2:30–3:00 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Common Pour Over Mistakes (and Fixes)
- Sour coffee (under-extracted): Grind finer, pour slower, or use hotter water.
- Bitter coffee (over-extracted): Grind coarser, pour faster, or slightly cooler water.
- Stalled drawdown: Grind coarser or ensure filter seams are open.
Recommended Starter Gear
- Pour Over Kit: Hario V60, Chemex, or Kalita Wave.
- Kettle: Gooseneck kettle for controlled pouring.
- Scale: Digital scale for accuracy.
- Grinder: Manual burr grinder.
👉 See our beginner pour over picks
FAQs
Q: Can I make pour over without a special kettle?
Yes, but a gooseneck kettle helps control flow and consistency.
Q: What beans work best?
Medium roast single origins (like Colombia or Ethiopia) shine in pour over.
Conclusion
Pour over coffee is approachable, affordable, and rewarding. With just a dripper, filter, and kettle, you can brew café-quality coffee at home. Start with the core recipe, adjust based on taste, and you’ll quickly master this classic method.
