What Is Pour Over Coffee?

The Coffee Bros is reader-supported. Affiliate links on our site may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pour over coffee is a delicious and unique way to brew your morning cup of joe. Unlike traditional drip coffee makers, pour over coffee involves manually pouring hot water over coffee grounds to extract their flavor.

What Is Pour Over Coffee: A Quick Guide to Making It

The process of making pour over coffee is simple yet requires a bit of skill and patience to master. To start, you’ll need a pour over coffee maker, which consists of a cone-shaped filter and a carafe to collect the brewed coffee. You’ll also need freshly ground coffee beans and hot water.

To begin, place the cone-shaped filter over the carafe and add your ground coffee. Next, slowly pour hot water over the grounds, making sure to evenly wet all of the coffee. As the water passes through the grounds, it will begin to drip into the carafe below, extracting the coffee’s flavor.

As you can see, this is an extremely easy way to make delicious coffee! 

What are the Benefits of Using the Pour Over Method

One of the best things about pour over coffee is that it allows for a high degree of control over the brewing process. You can experiment with the amount of coffee and water you use as well as the water temperature and pouring technique to create the perfect cup of coffee for your taste.

Pour over coffee also has some unique benefits over other brewing methods. Because the water is poured manually, it allows for a more thorough extraction of the coffee’s flavors. This results in a cup of coffee that is rich and full-bodied, with a distinct and complex flavor.

In addition, pour over coffee is often considered to be a more environmentally friendly option than traditional drip coffee makers. Because it doesn’t use electricity, it reduces your carbon footprint and saves energy. Plus, it’s easy to clean and requires minimal equipment, making it a convenient and sustainable option for coffee lovers. You get extra points if you use recyclable coffee filters!

What Equipment Do You Need to Make Great Pour Over Coffee? 

Are you ready to elevate your at-home coffee game? Look no further than the pour over method! But before you get started, you’ll need to gather a few key pieces of equipment.

First and foremost, you’ll need a pour over dripper. This is the device that sits on top of your coffee mug and holds the coffee grounds. There are a variety of options available, from ceramic to metal to plastic. Each material will affect the taste of your coffee slightly, so choose wisely!

Next, you’ll need a cone-shaped paper or metal filter. These are designed to fit perfectly in your pour over dripper and keep the grounds separate from your coffee. Not only do they make for a cleaner cup, but they also allow for the full flavor and aroma of the coffee beans to shine through.

Of course, you’ll also need coffee beans and a grinder. The pour over method requires a medium-fine grind, so be sure to adjust your grinder accordingly. And don’t skimp on the beans. Use high-quality, fresh-roasted beans for the best results.

To brew your coffee, you’ll need hot water. You can use a kettle or a hot water dispenser to heat your water to the ideal temperature of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, you’ll need a carafe or coffee mug to catch your freshly brewed coffee.

By following these simple steps and using the right equipment, you’ll be able to brew up a delicious cup of pour over coffee in no time. 

What Coffee Should You Use?

First, let’s start with the basics. The two main types of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their sweeter, more delicate flavor profile, while Robusta beans are known for their bolder, more robust taste. In general, Arabica beans are considered to be of higher quality and are used in specialty coffees, while Robusta beans are often used in lower-grade coffees.

When it comes to pour over brewing, Arabica beans are usually the preferred choice. They are known for their bright acidity and complex flavor notes, which can be highlighted by this brewing method. Some popular Arabica beans that are well-suited for pour over brewing include Colombian, Kenyan, and Ethiopian coffees.

Colombian coffee is known for its balanced flavor profile and bright acidity. It is a versatile coffee that can be enjoyed as a pour over or in other brewing methods. Kenyan coffee is known for its bright acidity, fruity notes, and distinct wine-like flavor. Ethiopian coffee is known for its unique and complex fruity, floral and herbal notes, with a light to medium body.

Blends and Roast Levels

Another type of coffee that can be used for pour over brewing is a blend. Blends are created by mixing different types of coffee beans together to create a unique flavor profile. For example, a blend may contain a mix of Colombian and Kenyan beans to create a coffee with a balance of bright acidity and fruity notes.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the roast level of the coffee beans also plays a role in the final cup of coffee. Light roasts tend to be brighter and more acidic, while dark roasts tend to be bolder. When brewing pour over, it is a good idea to start with a light roast, as this will allow the individual flavor notes of the coffee to shine through.

So, when it comes to pour over brewing, the type of coffee you use is just as important as the brewing method itself. Arabica beans are usually the preferred choice, but blends and different roast levels can also be used to create a unique and delicious cup of coffee. So next time you try this brewing method, experiment with different types of coffee beans and see what flavors you can uncover!

How to Make Pour Over Coffee in Nine Steps

Pour over coffee is a manual brewing method that allows for a greater degree of control over the final cup of coffee. Unlike traditional drip coffee makers, pour over coffee allows you to control the temperature, flow rate, and extraction time of the coffee, resulting in a delicious and unique cup of coffee every time. Here, we will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to make pour over coffee.

Step 1: Gather Your Equipment

The first step to making pour over coffee is to gather your equipment. You will need a pour over coffee maker, a coffee grinder, coffee beans, a kettle, and a coffee mug.

Step 2: Grind Your Beans

The next step is to grind your coffee beans. The grind size is important as it will affect the flow rate of the water and the extraction time. For pour over coffee, a medium-fine grind size is recommended. Use a coffee grinder to grind your beans to the desired size.

Step 3: Heat Your Water

While your coffee is grinding, heat your water to a temperature of between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for brewing coffee.

Step 4: Set Up Your Pour Over

Assemble your pour over coffee maker by placing it on top of your coffee mug. Place a coffee filter in the pour over and wet it with hot water to remove any paper taste.

Step 5: Add the Coffee

Add the ground coffee to the filter.

Step 6: The Bloom

Start by adding just enough water to the coffee to wet it, about double the weight of the coffee. This is called the “bloom” and it allows the coffee to release gases and expand. Wait for about 30 seconds.

Step 7: The Pour

After 30 seconds, pour the remaining water over the coffee in a circular motion, making sure to saturate all the coffee grounds.

Step 8: The Wait

Let the coffee brew for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Once the coffee is done brewing, remove the pour over from the mug and discard the coffee grounds. Your pour over coffee is now ready to be enjoyed!

Now that you know how to make pour over coffee, you can experiment with different coffee beans, grind sizes, and pouring techniques to create your own unique cup of coffee. And remember, the most important part of making pour over coffee is to enjoy the process and the final product.

Try Pour Coffee Today!

So next time you’re looking to upgrade your coffee game, give pour over coffee a try! With its delicious flavor and environmental benefits, it’s a tasty and sustainable choice for your morning cup of joe.

If you enjoyed this article, why not subscribe to the Coffee Bros? You’ll receive all our latest posts in a monthly email, so you’ll never be behind on the latest coffee news.