What Does Single-Pour Coffee Mean? What Are the Characteristics of Single-Pour Pour-Over Coffee?

Introduction

Pour-over coffee offers numerous water pouring techniques, and different pouring strategies can significantly alter the flavor profile of a cup of coffee, bringing endless joy to the brewing process. The single-pour method is one of the most widespread and fundamental pouring techniques. Today, FrontStreet Coffee will explore the single-pour method.

The Single-Pour Method

The single-pour method refers to the technique where, after the initial bloom pour, the remaining required water is poured in one continuous stream. This is a common pouring technique taught to beginners.

Compared to multi-stage pouring, the advantage of the single-pour method is that it minimizes human judgment, helping beginners achieve more consistent results. In multi-stage brewing, factors such as the water volume for each stage and the time intervals between stages offer great flexibility. When applied skillfully, this can adjust the brewing process to create delicious coffee; when applied poorly, it introduces significant uncertainty.

For beginners who haven't yet established a comprehensive brewing theory system, multi-stage brewing introduces considerable uncertainty factors. In contrast, the single-pour method has minimal variables during brewing—everything is determined when the brewing parameters are set. This means that with appropriate brewing parameters, coffee brewed using the single-pour method will also taste excellent.

Brewing Parameters are Key to the Single-Pour Method

FrontStreet Coffee consistently emphasizes that selecting appropriate brewing parameters is more important than sophisticated pouring techniques, and this is especially true for the single-pour method. Following FrontStreet Coffee's recommended brewing parameters for light roast coffee beans: 15g of coffee grounds, 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, grind size of 80% passing through a #20 sieve, and water temperature of 91°C.

First bloom with 30ml of water for 30 seconds, then pour the remaining 195ml in a steady "aroma-savoring" circular motion. The extraction ends when all coffee has dripped into the lower pot (1 minute 45 seconds).

Why is the Single-Pour Method Essential for Beginners?

① It facilitates practicing pouring techniques and mastering water control.

Because the single-pour method offers limited room for adjustment, the only pouring technique required is stability! The consistency of water flow and its volume are key factors affecting the final cup. Therefore, the single-pour method is ideal for novices to practice.

② It makes it easier to identify problems and increases understanding of brewing parameters.

With identical brewing parameters, if you cannot achieve the same flavor profile, the issue must lie in your pouring technique. Although it may seem like simple circular pouring, mastering water flow volume, pouring stability, and circular paths requires serious practice.

Once you confirm your pouring technique has no technical issues, you can also deduce whether the brewing parameters are appropriate. Or when applying brewing parameters from one bean to another, they may not be suitable, requiring parameter adjustments. This process enhances everyone's understanding of coffee parameters.

For example, if the pouring completion time is the same but the extraction time is longer (shorter), resulting in more intense (thinner) flavors, you can infer whether the grind is too fine (coarse).

What are the Characteristics of Coffee Brewed with the Single-Pour Method?

Because the single-pour method involves one complete pour after blooming, the water level above the coffee grounds rises quite high during brewing, and the pouring completion time is relatively quick—typically finishing in about 1 minute and 10 seconds. Therefore, the single-pour method generally has a shorter extraction time compared to multi-stage methods.

Consequently, the resulting coffee flavor exhibits cleaner characteristics with more prominent acidity, while the mouthfeel tends to be lighter compared to multi-stage brewing.

Important Notice :

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