Pour-over coffee is more than just a brewing method – it’s an art form that allows coffee enthusiasts to experience the full range of flavours and aromas that coffee has to offer. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps of mastering the art of pour-over coffee using ground coffee, ensuring a rich and flavourful experience with every cup.
Ground coffee is the foundation of a great cup of pour-over coffee. The grind size plays a crucial role in the extraction process, influencing the flavour and strength of your brew. For pour-over coffee, a medium-fine grind is generally recommended, similar to the texture of sea salt. This grind size allows for optimal extraction, producing a balanced and flavourful cup of coffee.
To start your pour-over coffee journey, you’ll need a few essential tools: a pour-over cone (such as a V60 or Chemex), a paper filter, freshly ground coffee, a kettle, and a timer. Begin by placing the paper filter in the pour-over cone and rinsing it with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the cone.
Next, measure out the desired amount of ground coffee. A common ratio is 1:15, which means for every gram of coffee, you’ll use 15 grams of water. Adjust this ratio to suit your taste preferences. Place the pour-over cone on top of your coffee mug or carafe and add the ground coffee to the filter.
Start your timer and slowly pour a small amount of hot water (around double the weight of the coffee grounds) over the coffee in a circular motion, ensuring that all the grounds are evenly saturated. Allow the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds, during which time the coffee will release gases, creating a bubbly crust on the surface.
After the bloom, continue pouring the remaining water in a slow, steady stream, keeping the water level just below the rim of the pour-over cone. The total brewing time should be around 2-4 minutes, depending on the grind size and coffee-to-water ratio.
Once the brewing is complete, remove the pour-over cone and discard the used coffee grounds and filter. Give your coffee a quick stir to ensure that any remaining grounds are fully extracted, and then enjoy your rich and flavourful cup of pour-over coffee.
Mastering the art of pour-over coffee takes practice and patience, but the results are well worth it. With the right ground coffee, equipment, and technique, you can create a truly exceptional cup of coffee that highlights the unique flavours and aromas of your favourite beans. So why not embark on your pour-over coffee journey today and discover a new world of coffee brewing nirvana?
