The Perfect Pour Over Coffee: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pour over coffee is one of the most rewarding ways to brew a cup at home. With just a few simple tools and the right technique, you can make coffee that rivals your favorite café.

What You'll Need

Pour over dripper (V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave, etc.)
Paper filter
Freshly roasted coffee beans (20-25g for a single cup)
Grinder (burr grinder recommended)
Kettle (gooseneck kettle preferred for precision)
Scale (for measuring coffee and water)
Timer

The Golden Ratio

For pour over, aim for a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. This means: - 20g coffee → 320g water - 25g coffee → 400g water

Adjust to taste - use more coffee for stronger brew, less for lighter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grind Your Coffee

Grind your beans to a medium-fine consistency - similar to table salt. Grind just before brewing for maximum freshness.

2. Prepare Your Filter

Place the paper filter in your dripper and rinse with hot water. This removes paper taste and preheats your brewing vessel.

3. Add Coffee and Create a Well

Add your ground coffee to the filter and give it a gentle shake to level the bed. Create a small well in the center with your finger.

4. The Bloom (0:00-0:45)

Pour twice the weight of coffee in water (e.g., 40g water for 20g coffee) in a circular motion, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Wait 30-45 seconds - you'll see the coffee "bloom" as CO2 releases.

5. First Pour (0:45-1:15)

Slowly pour water in a spiral pattern from the center outward, then back to center. Pour up to 60% of your total water weight.

6. Second Pour (1:15-2:30)

Continue pouring in gentle spirals until you reach your target weight. Maintain a consistent flow.

7. Final Drawdown (2:30-3:30)

Let the water fully drain through the grounds. Total brew time should be 3-3.5 minutes.

Pro Tips

Water temperature: 195-205°F (90-96°C) - just off boil
Consistency is key: Try to replicate your technique each time
Fresh is best: Use beans within 2-4 weeks of roast date
Clean equipment: Residue from old coffee can make your brew bitter

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Coffee tastes sour	Grind finer, use hotter water, or increase brew time
Coffee tastes bitter	Grind coarser, use cooler water, or decrease brew time
Brew time too fast (< 2:30)	Grind finer
Brew time too slow (> 4:00)	Grind coarser

Conclusion

Pour over brewing is an art and a science. Don't be discouraged if your first few cups aren't perfect - experimentation is part of the fun! Keep notes on what works and adjust one variable at a time.

Happy brewing! ☕