Pour Over Coffee Guide
The art of manual brewing. Clean, bright, and endlessly customizable for the perfect cup.
What is Pour Over?
Pour over is a manual brewing method where hot water is poured over ground coffee in a filter. Gravity pulls the water through the coffee bed, extracting flavors as it drips into a carafe or cup below.
Unlike immersion methods (French press), pour over produces a clean, sediment-free cup that highlights the nuanced flavors of your coffee. This makes it the preferred method for light and medium roasts where origin characteristics shine.
Popular pour over devices include the Hario V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave, and Origami dripper.
Quick Reference
Grind Size: Medium-fine
Ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (coffee:water)
Water Temp: 200-205°F (93-96°C)
Brew Time: 2:30-4:00 minutes
Best Roasts: Light Med-Light
Step-by-Step Guide
A basic pour over recipe to get you started
1. Heat Water & Rinse Filter
Heat water to 200-205°F (93-96°C). Place the filter in your dripper and rinse with hot water. This removes paper taste and preheats the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
2. Grind & Add Coffee
Grind 20-22g of coffee to a medium-fine consistency (like table salt). Add to the filter and gently shake to level the bed.
3. Bloom
Start your timer. Pour 40-50g of water in a circular motion to saturate all grounds. Wait 30-45 seconds as the coffee releases CO2 (it will bubble and expand).
4. First Pour
After the bloom, pour water in slow, concentric circles from the center outward. Avoid pouring on the filter walls. Add water until you reach about 150g total.
5. Continue Pouring
Once the water level drops, add more water in pulses. Keep the slurry level relatively consistent. Target 320-340g total water for 20g coffee.
6. Finish & Serve
Allow all water to drain through. Total brew time should be 2:30-4:00 minutes. Remove the dripper, swirl the carafe, and enjoy.
Roast Recommendations
Pour over is designed for lighter roasts that showcase origin flavors
Light Roast
The ideal pairing. Pour over's clean extraction highlights fruity, floral, and tea-like notes that define light roasts.
Learn MoreMedium-Light
Excellent choice. Brings out balanced sweetness with citrus and nutty notes while maintaining clarity.
Learn MoreMedium
Works well for those who want more body. Produces a clean cup with caramel and chocolate notes.
Learn MoreRecommended Equipment
Quality gear for great pour over coffee
Hario V60 Dripper
The most popular pour over device. Spiral ribs and large hole allow for complete control over extraction.
View on AmazonChemex Classic
Beautiful hourglass design with thick filters for an ultra-clean cup. Perfect for entertaining.
View on AmazonFellow Stagg Kettle
Precision gooseneck kettle with built-in thermometer. Essential for controlled pours.
View on AmazonBaratza Encore Grinder
The entry-level grinder recommended by specialty coffee shops. Consistent burr grinding.
View on AmazonTroubleshooting
Brew Too Fast? (Under 2:00)
Grind finer. The water is passing through too quickly, resulting in sour, under-extracted coffee.
Brew Too Slow? (Over 4:00)
Grind coarser. Over-extraction leads to bitter, astringent flavors.
Uneven Extraction?
Keep your pour steady and circular. Avoid channeling by maintaining an even bed of grounds.