Pour-over coffee uses only the most basic of tools to make what some call the best cup of coffee you’ll ever have. If you’re interested in learning more about pour-over coffee, here are some of the best reasons for making pour-over coffee.
How does pour-over work, and what makes it different from regular drip? For a traditional drip machine, hot water drips through a bed of grounds (usually into a filter, but not always).
If you’re familiar with making lattes at home, then you’re probably using an automatic drip machine to heat and prepare your milk. To do that, you add fresh whole milk to a steam nozzle. Then you press down on that nozzle as it heats up so that it sends steamed milk through a filter into your mug.
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What makes pour-over coffee different?
Pouring a cup of Joe with a pour over maker might seem like a fancy thing to do, but it’s an incredible way to bring out flavors in your favorite beans. Pour-over coffee makers are made of two parts: A cone-shaped filter and a glass carafe (or another container).
To create your perfect cup, grind beans slightly more coarsely than you would for regular drip coffee, put them in your filter cone, and add hot water. Give it about four minutes, and you have got it.
The biggest perk to brewing coffee by hand with a pour-over system is that it allows you to control all aspects of your beverage—from how finely you grind your beans to how long they steep in their hot water bath.
You’ll bring out different characteristics in each type of bean in doing so. Darker roasts will take on a chocolatey flavor; lighter roasts will have herbaceous or fruity notes.
How to find the best coffee beans for pour-over coffee?
There are many different options and resources for finding top-notch beans. Not all options are good—nor will they all suit your taste buds or preferences.
Roasting companies often offer tasting events where you can try out new brews before purchasing anything. Be sure to take advantage of those opportunities! You may also want to check with local shops in your area.
Concerning online retailers, keep an eye out for deals that include free shipping. Shipping rates can add up quickly when ordering multiple types of beans (roasted vs. unroasted vs. blends).
Finally, pay attention to customer reviews of specific products or product lines.
How much coffee do you need?
The method itself is simple, but there are a few key things to keep in mind regarding how much ground coffee you’ll need. First, all of your measurements should be based on weight and not volume; since you’re looking to brew 16 ounces (2 cups) of coffee with your pour-over, you need to use 14 grams of ground coffee. Second, if you have an electric kettle, boil water for a minute or two before using it for brewing.
This will result in hotter water that extracts more flavor from your grounds (this step is optional but recommended). Next, make sure your filter and brewer are completely dry before adding any water—the last thing you want is for your grounds to get soggy!
The best coffee grinder:
Grinding your beans at home is a great way to take control of your coffee experience. By grinding your beans, you can choose just how much (or little) you want to spend on a single cup, as well as what bean or blend you want to drink that day.
You’ll also avoid exposure to numerous chemicals in pre-ground packages— which is why we recommend investing in an electric burr grinder if you’re into pour-over or French press brewing.
Pour Over Coffee vs. Espresso Machine
The most apparent difference between pour-over and espresso is in your cup. Espresso machines usually produce concentrated coffee that will result in a drinkable liquid when combined with hot water. On the other hand, Pour-over makes a more measured and flavorful drink that’s all about extraction—the process of drawing out flavor from roasted beans.
If you prefer to have complete control over every aspect of your drink, a pour-over might be for you. More and more baristas are even using them to make their espressos because they can get just as much flavor without having to pull shots or worry about milk foaming up.
Pour-over coffees are not for everyone; some people are just fine with instant or electric drip machines. However, if you want to take your morning caffeination routine up a notch in both taste and novelty factor… try brewing in style!
If you’re an avid tea drinker, you’ll love it. If you love having your morning cup of Joe with friends, there’s nothing like it.
