A Beginner's Guide: Making the Tastiest Pour-Over Coffee

What is Pour-Over Coffee?

The art of pouring steaming water over freshly ground coffee beans has become increasingly popular. It’s not just the ritual-like process of making this filtered coffee that enthusiasts enjoy so much—it’s the rich, vibrant result it yields.

Pour-over coffee allows you to control every aspect of the brew, including the taste and strength. With our beginner’s guide to pour-over coffee, you’ll learn everything you need to create your own robust beverage.

What to Know Before You Pour

If you want your pour-over coffee to have the most flavorful taste, there are a few things you should consider before attempting the first pour.

• Coffee Ground Texture — The consistency of your coffee grounds will determine the overall flavor and strength of your pour. Most experts suggest a medium-fine sand-like texture, however the ideal composition depends on how much flavor you’d want to extract from the roast.
• Temperature — After brewing, keeping your coffee at a consistent temperature is vital to maintaining its flavor profile. And, if you like to savor your morning coffee, a smart mug is well worth the investment. Smart mugs like the new Ember Mug² can maintain a constant drinking temperature for up to 1.5 hours.

What You’ll Need for Pour-Over Coffee

• 12 oz filtered water
• 3 tbsp ground coffee
• Gooseneck kettle
• Pour-over brewer
• Filter

How to Make Pour-Over Coffee

Now it’s time to try it out yourself. As you become acquainted with the process, you can start experimenting with the different variables to create a completely custom flavor profile of your own.

1. Heat the water — Using your gooseneck kettle, heat your water until it reaches approximately 195-205°F. If you aren't using a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and let it cool for 30 seconds before you begin brewing.
2. Wet your filter — If you’re using a paper filter, soak it in water for 5 seconds before placing it in the coffee brewer. This will prevent the taste of wet cardboard from disturbing the flavor of your brew.
3. Grind the coffee — Waiting to grind your coffee beans until just before adding water is the secret to a perfect pour-over coffee. After you’ve ground the beans to a sand-like texture, add them to the filter.
4. Start the bloom — The “bloom” is the process of quickly releasing carbon dioxide from the coffee grounds. Giving your coffee time to bloom can drastically enhance the flavor. Pour a small amount of water over the grounds and let it soak for 30 seconds. The grounds will begin to swell, rise, and bubble. That’s when you know the bloom is ready to brew.
5. Brew — Slowly pour water over the grounds in a spiral rotation, letting the coffee gently flow through the filter.

Best Pour Over Coffee Maker

Whether you like to sip and savor or need a java jolt, finding your favorite coffee maker is a part of the pour-over process. There is a variety of brewers available to suit every lifestyle and budget.

Ideal for the jet setter, the Blue Bottle Coffee Dripper brews the coffee directly into your mug. This pour-over coffee maker will not only maintain the flavor profile of your drink but also make clean up simple. On-the-go coffee drinkers will appreciate the ease of using this product with our temperature control Ember Travel Mug² as well as the energizing boost from filter coffee.

If you prefer to share your coffee with company, the Stagg [XF] Pour-Over Set from Fellow is a perfect match. Built with a double-wall glass carafe, this pour-over coffee maker will retain the brew’s temperature and flavor while you’re drinking the first cup.