Coffee culture

How to Brew Coffee Grounds: Guide to Coffee-to-Water Ratio, Temperature and Time for Pour-Over Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, For more professional coffee knowledge and coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Guide: When making pour-over coffee, the amount of water used significantly impacts the coffee flavor. Different coffee-to-water ratios will affect the presentation of coffee's characteristics.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Cafe Style (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Pour-Over Coffee Brewing

When making pour-over coffee, the amount of water used has a significant impact on the coffee's flavor. Different coffee-to-water ratios will affect the flavor, mouthfeel, and other characteristics presented by the coffee.

Too little water results in an overly intense mouthfeel (for example, a 1:10 coffee-to-water ratio will feel very stimulating and strong), with flavors clustered together and not clear enough; too much water makes it too light (for example, a 1:20 ratio for pour-over coffee will taste very weak), even tasting like a cup of water with coffee flavor.

Based on personal experience, a 1:15-1:16 ratio is a good choice for pour-over coffee, but the coffee-to-water ratio is not fixed and will vary depending on the brewing equipment used.

A 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, 85-94°C hot water, and—EXTRACTION!

First, slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds, controlling the water amount so that exactly one drop falls from the bottom of the coffee pile. Let it sit for about 30 seconds to allow the coffee grounds to fully absorb the hot water. This process is called "blooming," and its purpose is to saturate all the coffee grounds.

(In other words, it's about waking up the coffee grounds: Hey... wake up! Come out and play!)

Then extract the coffee~

Slowly pour water in circles from the center of the coffee pile in one direction, circle after circle—clockwise or counterclockwise is both okay!

As the coffee grounds mingle with water, they extract the wonderful qualities of coffee beans—acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and aroma—and then filter paper separates the already extracted insoluble particles from the coffee liquid.

In fact, pour-over coffee = 60% flavor + 30% roasting + 10% brewing, making it easier for people to taste the inherent flavor of the coffee itself.

Knowledge Point: Pour-Over Coffee Aims to Express "Regional Flavor"

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research establishment, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping more friends will fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three low-discount coffee events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price. This has been our mission for the past 6 years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

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