What is Pour-Over Coffee? Understanding the Art of Pour-Over Brewing in One Guide!

Many people typically buy coffee from convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart, but how does coffee from these machines differ from the pour-over coffee made by baristas? FrontStreet Coffee is here to explore the differences!

Pour-over coffee may look simple, but it actually requires attention to many details. In simple terms, pour-over coffee is the process of pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter paper to extract coffee.

We all know that there are many ways to brew coffee, such as cold drip, Moka pot, etc. So what makes pour-over coffee special?

Characteristics of Pour-Over Coffee

Rich in flavor: Coffee brewed by different baristas can have distinct flavor profiles. As mentioned earlier, pour-over coffee tests many factors, which is why some people have a particular preference for coffee made by certain coffee shops or baristas!

Fast extraction: Compared to brewing methods like cold drip, pour-over coffee extracts more quickly as hot water passes directly through the coffee grounds. This can extract more surface substances, but if not done properly, it might make the coffee too sour or too bitter.

Before I started exploring coffee, I used to buy any random coffee from convenience stores or foolishly use cold water to brew filter coffee when I wanted iced coffee. The result was incredibly sour! I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience.

What Factors Affect Pour-Over Coffee

By controlling factors such as filter paper, coffee bean variety, grind size, water temperature, and pouring technique, different coffee flavors can be achieved. This is why each cup of pour-over coffee can offer unique flavors, providing a fresh experience every time.

How to Brew a Simple Cup of Pour-Over Coffee

While brewing a delicious cup of pour-over coffee requires considering many factors, beginners can still make coffee without mistakes. Let's follow this step-by-step guide!

1. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

The coffee-to-water ratio should be controlled between 1:10 to 1:16 to achieve coffee with moderate strength. For example, 10g of coffee grounds can be paired with 100-160ml of water. FrontStreet Coffee generally recommends a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15.

2. Coffee Grounds

The coffee grounds should be ground slightly finer than sugar.

3. Water Temperature

The recommended water temperature is between 85°C to 95°C for brewing the best pour-over coffee (this is why 85°C is called 85°C!). Water that's too low in temperature can make coffee too sour, while water that's too hot might make it overly bitter.

4. Wet the Filter Paper

First, wet the filter paper with hot water to remove its taste. Wet the filter paper from the center outward.

5. Add Coffee Grounds

In the coffee world, this step is called "bloom" - awakening the coffee beans. Add water in a circular motion from the center outward to completely wet all coffee grounds (visually, the water should just cover all the coffee grounds), then wait for 10-20 seconds. FrontStreet Coffee recommends blooming within 30 seconds.

6. Repeat Circular Pouring

Continue pouring in a circular motion from the center outward, reaching about the size of a 50-cent coin before circling back to the center.

7. Single Point Pouring

When the water level reaches a certain height, using single-point pouring helps prevent extracting too much bitterness from the coffee.

8. Remove Over-Extracted Portion

The white foam that floats on top of brewed coffee usually has undesirable flavors. You can set aside the water that hasn't finished dripping through the filter paper at the end, preventing it from continuing to drip into the previously brewed coffee.

9. Shake the Coffee Cup for Evenness

Shaking and mixing the coffee ensures consistent flavor throughout!

Now that everyone has learned this, why not take action immediately and brew your first cup of pour-over coffee!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473