How to make pour over coffee
If you're new to the world of coffee brewing, pour over coffee is a great place to start. This is the first brewing method that I ever attempted when I first started diving deeper into the world of coffee. With this simple yet effective method, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with minimal equipment.
What You'll Need
A pour over coffee maker (such as a Hario V60 or Chemex)
Paper filters
A gooseneck kettle(recommended) or a regular kettle
Freshly roasted coffee beans
A coffee grinder
A scale
A timer
A mug
Step 1: Boil Water
Start by boiling water in your gooseneck kettle. Gooseneck kettles are way better for pour over because they allow you to get more control over the pour ensuring that the beans are evenly saturated. The ideal temperature for pour over coffee is between 195-205°F (90-96°C). Let the water cool for a minute or two after boiling to reach the desired temperature.
Step 2: Grind Your Coffee
While the water is heating, grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine or medium-course consistency depending on the pour over maker you have. The grind size should be similar to table salt. Use your scale to measure the right amount of coffee, typically a ratio of 1:16 (1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water). The ratio might be a little hard to understand at first due to the math involved it was very confusing to me when I first got a coffee scale but the more you practice the easier it becomes to understand.
Step 3: Rinse the Filter
Place the paper filter in the pour over coffee maker and rinse it with hot water. This helps remove any paper taste and preheats the brewer. Discard the rinse water. Some pour over makers might have a reusable filter like mine which allows you to skip this step entirely but metal and paper filters make the coffee taste different because a paper filter, takes out more of the oils in the coffee which leads to a vibrant more crisp cup of coffee.
Step 4: Add Coffee and Bloom
Put the ground coffee into the filter and gently shake it to level the surface. Start the timer and pour a small amount of water (twice the weight of the coffee) over the grounds, making sure they are fully saturated. Allow the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds. This allows gasses to escape the coffee which will improve the flavor.
Step 5: Pour in Stages
Begin pouring the remaining water in a slow, circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward then bring it back in. Maintain a steady pour, allowing the water to drip through the coffee grounds. Aim to complete the pour within 2-3 minutes depending on your grind size.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Coffee
Once the water has dripped through the coffee grounds, remove the pour over filter. Give the coffee a gentle stir to ensure it is well-mixed, and then enjoy your freshly brewed cup of pour over coffee.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts aren't perfect I have made a bunch of mistakes while making pour over and I am still getting better every time I make more. Experiment with different coffee beans, grind sizes, and pouring techniques to find your preferred brew. Happy brewing!