How to Pour Over Coffee in 5 Easy Steps

The Pour Over coffee is one of the simpler, and arguably the most delicious ways of making coffee at home. This method is becoming more and more popular nowadays. These past few years, people are discovering that they can make great tasting coffee at home. This is thanks to fresh roasted coffee and a few simple tools. For now, we will focus on the process of how to pour over coffee.

What is a Pour Over Coffee?

What is a coffee pour over? A coffee pour over is a brew method where hot water is manually poured into a funnel that acts as a coffee dripper.

It is known for providing a clean cup (less oily than a French press). It is an excellent way to reveal some of the flavors and cupping notes that are hiding within a freshly roasted batch of coffee. It’s a classic method, favorite to many coffee lovers

Home coffee brewing is becoming more popular than ever. There are so many ways to make a cup of coffee. From the espresso machines and cold brew methods used by the coffee shop to the French Presses and Aero Presses used at home. There are a variety of ways to go about making coffee.

For some, coffee is now more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. It’s hard to imagine traveling more than a couple days without some coffee apparatus and some fresh roasted coffee. There is nothing like it when there is always some delicious coffee brewing in the morning.

Knowing what is pour over coffee may sound simple. However, there is still definitely a right and a wrong way to go about making a cup of coffee with this type of brew method.

Pour Over Coffee Equipment

If you want to make a pour over coffee the right way, you’re going to want to measure out the different variables to get a consistent cup. These variables include the amount of water used, the fineness of the grind, and the amount of coffee. Other elements include the type of filter and even the type of water used. You’ll need the following:

Pour Over Stand

There are many different pour overs out there. You can get ceramic, plastic, and other types. There are pros and cons to each of the different materials. Some retain heat better, for example. But the important thing to remember is that the process is going to be the same no matter what kind of stand you’re using.

Mug

Whatever kind of mug you decide to use, make sure the stand fits securely on. One of the most frustrating things in the morning is when you are brewing your coffee, and the stand collapses and the coffee grounds spill all over the counter. This does happen, and the best way to prevent it is to make sure that the pour over stand fits nicely onto the mug.

Kettle

A goose-neck kettle is a favorite of many who are making coffee, regardless of the brew method. These kettles give more control of where the water is going. Pour overs require a particular pattern for pouring the water down. It’s important to have a quality kettle that ensures you have adequate control over where the water is falling.

Grinder

A burr grinder is going to give you the most consistent grind. When it comes to brew methods like this, that’s what you’re looking for. They make affordable burr grinders that can be purchased and taken home, as well.

Others prefer to use a blade grinder and have mastered them. Whichever you choose, the important thing is that the coffee is ground medium coarse for the pour over method.

Digital Scale

One of the most oft-overlooked items is the digital scale. It’s important to have the coffee and the water weighed out so that proper extraction takes place. Too much coffee or too little water will result in over-extraction, and the cup won’t taste right.

The same applies to under extraction. Having a scale and weighing out the coffee is vital to get a consistently great cup of coffee.

Coffee Beans

It would be hard to make a cup of coffee without having any ground coffee. The best way to make a pour over is with fresh roasted coffee. This gives your cup more of the original flavors.

You see, the longer coffee goes after being roasted, the less fresh it gets. If at all possible, find a local roaster and get your coffee from them. Grocery store coffee can be used in making a pour over, but it won’t be nearly as delicious.

Water

You can get the water from your tap or a bottle. Different water is going to have different mineral quality and will, therefore, brew different when it comes to coffee. The differences may be subtle for those who are new to coffee, but experienced coffee drinkers will notice a difference as they use different kinds of water.

Pour Over Process

Now it’s time to heat up the water, grind the coffee, and start pouring. It is nice to know exactly what is needed, but the exciting part is when the pouring takes place.

1. Weigh Out and Grind the Coffee

A right amount of coffee can be found using the 1:15 rule. Taking 1 part coffee to every 15 parts water will help you achieve a nice level of extraction. To get the coffee ready, grind it to a medium level in your grinder.

2. Heat the Water

Whether you’re making an 8 or 12 oz. cup, you’re going to have to heat the water somehow. This can be done on a stove or in the kettle. It may even be in an electric kettle that boils on its own. Whatever the case, heat the water to a temperature of around 200 degrees.

3. Wet the Pour Over Coffee Filter

Next, take some hot water (not from what was measured), and wet the filter that is going to be used inside of the pour over. This will keep your cup of coffee from having a strange papery flavor.

4. Put the Coffee in the Pour Over

This step may be assumed, but it’s still important to state that the coffee now needs to be placed in the filter. The filter goes in the pour over stand. Also, make sure that the stand is on top of your mug.

5. Pour the Water

Now it’s time to pour the water. Take the kettle, which should have the water in it, and prepare to pour the water onto the coffee inside the pour over. Go ahead and give the pour over a little shake before it’s placed on the mug to level out the coffee.

Take your finger and put a hole in the middle of the coffee about halfway down. This will help the water and keep it flowing. Now once you start pouring, pour in a clockwise circular motion, keeping the water at least ¼” from the filter itself.

The coffee will begin to “bloom” if it is fresh roasted coffee. This occurs because the natural gasses are leaving the coffee and causing it to mushroom up. Don’t be alarmed; this is actually a very good sign.

Continue to pour until you run out of water or until the mug is full! The entire process should not take more than 4 minutes, and some set a timer to ensure it stays at that time.

How to Pour Over Coffee Conclusion

The pour over is a favorite brew method of many coffee connoisseurs. It’s a great way to brew coffee at home in under 5 minutes. Whether you roast your coffee or get it from the local coffee shop, going with the pour over is never a bad choice!

Start making them at home today, discover why it’s such a popular way to brew, and learn the steps on how to pour over coffee right away. 

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