How to Make a Pour Over

by Christine Gossain August 22, 2023

Equipment Needed:

1. Freshly roasted coffee beans (Cherry Hill Organic Coffee our preference of course!)
2. Coffee grinder
3. Pour-over cone (e.g., Hario V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave)
4. Paper filter (specific to your pour-over cone)
5. Kettle with hot water
6. Timer
7. Coffee cup or carafe

Steps:

1. Boil Water: Start by boiling water. Allow it to cool slightly after boiling, ideally to around 200°F (93°C). This temperature is crucial for optimal extraction.

2. Grind Coffee: Measure out the coffee beans you'll need based on your preferred coffee-to-water ratio. A common starting point is 1:15, meaning 1 gram of coffee to 15 grams of water. Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to sea salt.

3. Rinse Filter: Place the paper filter in the pour-over cone and set it on top of your coffee cup or carafe. Rinse the filter with hot water. This helps remove any paper taste and preheats your brewing vessel. Discard the rinse water.

4. Add Coffee: Add the ground coffee to the rinsed filter. Gently tap the cone to level the coffee bed.

5. Bloom: Start the timer. Pour just enough hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee grounds) to saturate them evenly. This step is called the "bloom." Allow the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds. During this time, the coffee will release carbon dioxide, causing the grounds to puff up and create a crust.

6. Pour in Stages: Begin pouring water in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward, then back to the center. Pour slowly and steadily, trying to keep the water level in the cone relatively constant. Pour in stages, adding water every 15-20 seconds.

7. Control Brew Rate: Adjust the speed of your pour to control the brew rate. Aim for a total brew time of around 2.5 to 3.5 minutes, depending on your taste preferences and the specific coffee beans you're using.

8. Final Stir: After you've added all the water, give the slurry a gentle stir with a spoon or a stirring stick. This helps ensure even extraction.

9. Let it Drain: Allow the water to drip through the coffee grounds and filter into your cup or carafe. The coffee should have a steady, controlled flow.

10. Enjoy: Once the dripping slows down and the coffee has fully drained, your pour-over is ready. Remove the pour-over cone and discard the used coffee grounds. Give your cup a gentle swirl to mix any flavours that might have settled.

11. Savour: Take a moment to appreciate the aroma and flavours of your freshly brewed coffee.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Experiment with different grind sizes, water temperatures, and pouring techniques to find what works best for your taste preferences and the specific coffee beans you're using.

At CRUM we have a lot of the tools needed to make a pour-over, so browse our website or just stop in and we'll help you find the perfect manual brewer!