How To Make Pour-Over Coffee? [A Step-by-Step Brewing Guide]

pour over coffee
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Coffee has become an essential part of our daily lives in recent years and is one of the most versatile drinks in the world. There are several methods to brewing the perfect cup of Joe. And one of those methods is the Pour-over coffee brewing method. This method is one of the most popular among coffee aficionados. And by the end of this article, you’ll be armed with all the knowledge that you require to make a fantastic cup of pour-over coffee for yourself.

What Is Pour-Over Coffee?

Also known as Hand brewed or Filter brewed, Pour-Over is fundamentally a coffee brewing method. It is a manual process that gives you more control over your brewing style. As the name suggests this type of coffee is brewed by pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter placed over a carafe or a mug. It’s a unique method invented in Europe in the 19th century. It is adopted by modern coffee enthusiasts for the crispier fresher coffee it produces. This method is not difficult but is intricate and requires attention, patience, and practice. But all this work would seem like nothing once you start brewing that perfect cup of coffee. Pour-over coffees are known for their complex flavor structure. This brewing method helps extract every note and flavor the bean has to offer without overcooking the grounds and charring the taste.

How To Make Pour-Over Coffee?

The simplest of all the brewing methods is the Pour-Over method. Hot water is poured over coffee grounds and filtered over a vessel. How complicated can it be? Well, all it requires is the right equipment and practice. The best thing about this method is that the equipment is inexpensive and easily available.

Pour-Over Coffee Equipment

1. Brewing Device or Pot

When it comes to pour-over coffee pots there are plenty of options in the market. Find one that you think suits you well. While buying a pot make sure that its filters are also readily available in the market. Because when you run out of the ones that come with the pot you’ll need new ones. I’ve got many pots in my pantry because their filters are not available anymore, So don’t make this mistake. There are ones with permanent filters as well like this Primula Park set. Some other options worth considering are the Bodum pour-over set and the Chemex sets. You can find devices that can brew single cups as well like the Chantal lotus. You can look for other options as well.

2. Filters

When choosing the brewing pot, you should keep the availability of its filters in mind. The pots with the most availability of filters are the most popular among buyers. There are several choices to pick from paper or cloth. Bleached or unbleached? Many people prefer to use cloth filers, which are also known as sock filters. They let through more saturated fats due to their larger holes, giving your coffee more flavor and body than standard paper filters that retain oils.

On the other hand, paper filters are preferred by people who like their coffee oil-free and are conscious of the calories in the coffee. Paper filters are great for people that have cholesterol problems or generally want to avoid heavy, full-bodied brews. Regarding paper filters, you have two options, bleached and unbleached. The only difference between these two is that chlorine agents bleach bleached coffee filters to eliminate the color and papery taste of unbleached ones. But unbleached filters go through a lot less processing time and are environmentally friendlier than their equivalents but leave a papery taste in the coffee. So now its up to you to weigh the pros and cons.

3. Kettle

The perfect kettle is essential in brewing perfect pour-over coffee because the way the water is poured over coffee grounds greatly impacts the brew. You will require the water to reach several areas in steady singular streams. Hot water is poured over the coffee in a specific manner, and you’ll be repeating this process several times. The kettles used for making pour-over coffee are called “gooseneck” or “swanneck” kettles. They are designed to let through water in a consistent, steady stream. You can buy electric ones that have specific boiling temperatures. The Fellow Stag electric kettle is a great pick if you want an electric kettle. But you can explore your options and see what fits you. Some people like to give their coffee a more personal touch and opt for standard Stove top kettles. In that case, also there is a wide variety of options like the Coffee Gator kettle with precision spout and built-in thermometer.

4. Weighing Scale

Although not a vital factor for preparing a good brew for seasoned brewers, most specialists still use the weighing scale to get the ingredients to point perfectly. It is an inexpensive household item and should definitely be used if you’re new to self-brewing. It will help you calculate the amount of water and coffee to use and get your recipe right. You can get one from Amazon for as cheap as ten bucks.

5. Grinder

Although you can use pre-grinded coffee to prepare pour-over coffee, but if you want to brew an excellent fresh, crisp & flavorful batch, try to grind fresh beans for your cup of joe. In this matter, a little bit of effort can go a long way. Pre-ground coffee can be time-saving, but you will be compromising on aroma, flavors, and taste because Co2 takes a toll on all three in pre-ground coffees. So you should invest in a coffee grinder like this Black & Decker if you want the most out of your cup of coffee. Pour-over coffee is sensitive to grind size, and a coarse, medium sea salt-style grind is the best for this brew. You will master this step over time.

 Now you’re equipped with all the weapons to make the perfect cup of pour-over coffee. You can tweak the equipment to suit your style to the point that they don’t compromise your brew.

Steps To Make Perfect Pour Over Coffee

Now comes the major part where we break down the process of making pour-over coffee into 4 steps. Follow them religiously to brew the perfect cup.

Step1. Prepare Your Beans & Water

Choose your favorite coffee beans and weigh about 40 grams on your scale. Grind the beans to a coarse sea salt-like consistency. Consistency of the beans matters a lot so make sure to get as close as you can. And heat about 650ml of water to about 97 degrees Celsius (205 degrees Fahrenheit). If you are boiling water instead of using an electronic kettle then let it rest off the stove for 1-1.5 minutes.

Step2. Prepare Your Pot And Filter

Place your filter as per the instructions on your pot. Make sure the paper does not block the bottom of the spout, so keep it clear. Now pour some hot water over the filter. This step will remove the papery taste, and the hot water will enter the beaker,  warming the beaker subsequently. This process is called a rinse and softens the paper and warms the carafe.

Now pour out the water from the beaker from the rinse.

Step3. The Blooming Stage

Pack your 40 grams of coffee in the filter and gently shake or tap, so the coffee settles down. Now put the apparatus on the scale and set it to 0 (Tare weight). Now pour hot water double the amount of coffee, about 80gms in concentric circles inwards to outwards. This will help the Co2 gasses to escape. Wait for 45 to 50 seconds for this process to complete.

Step4. Pourings

After the blooming is completed, pour in concentric circles, inwards to outwards, gradually. Pour until the weight scale reading is about 300-310gms. The grounds will rise with each pour you perform, and this will go on with every pour.

Your coffee will be ready for a second pour when the water level falls down from the surface grounds. Now pour in the same manner as the first pour until the weight reaches 600gms. Wait until most of the water strain downs into the carafe. Now pour for the last time till 750gms. Let the grounds rest for about 30 seconds, remove the filter, and serve.

Mistakes To Avoid While Making Pour-Over Coffee

1. Overheated water

Don’t use boiling water because that will burn the grounds, and you will end up with a bitter cup of coffee. You’ll also be robbed of the flavors and aroma associated with pour-overs. Make sure that your water is at the right temperature before pouring.

2. Not rinsing

Rinsing is a vital part of this brewing method, especially when using a paper filter. So remember to rinse because it will remove the papery flavor and warm up the container. Otherwise, you’ll end up having lukewarm coffee that tastes like paper.

3. Agitating

While pouring, try to pour as close to the coffee grounds as possible. This will help you avoid disturbing the coffee and clumping it.

4. Pouring at the sides

You might see some dry ground at the sides sticking to the filter. But it would be best if you resisted the temptation to pour water over them because that water will flow straight into the container. It will result in a very weak cup of joe.

What Sets Pour-Over Coffee Apart From Other Coffees?

1. Flexibility

Pour-over brewing method gives you much room to practice once you’ve mastered your basics. Unlike automated brewing methods, you can carefully curate your cup of coffee according to your preference. This method requires skill and patience, but once you achieve that, you can start experimenting. This method offers the broadest range of variety among other brewing methods.

2. Time

Contrary to popular belief, pour-overs take the same time to prepare as other typical drip methods. Although the physical effort is a bit more, that contributes to the variety this style offers. So if you like to prepare your coffee by hand, this might be your best option.

3. Cost Effective

The apparatus required for this type of brewing is the cheapest among all the brewing methods. Moreover, the devices used are made of highly durable materials that are long-lasting. Unlike automated machines, they won’t outdate and are easily replaceable because they all work on the same principle.

4. Personalization

This method is ideal for people who like to give their brew a personal touch or want to have more control over the ratio of ingredients, and they have much-playing ground to experiment and do as they please with this method.

Now you are familiar with the pour-over brewing method and how you can master it. Always remember that the pour-over brewing method is best due to its flexibility. So you can find the spot that is the most comfortable for you. Take your time to understand the basics and the science behind the process. Pour-over brews are usually bold, crisp, and full-bodied. We hope the above-given information will help you find your way in the pour-over brewing world. Cheerios! Keep slurping.

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