Fresh Roasted Coffee Delivered 802-644-8300

How to Make Perfect Pour Over

How to Make Perfect Pour Over

Paper filters. Check. Hourglass coffee pot. Check. Fresh ground coffee. Check. Hot water. Check. You’re almost late for work, again. Thank goodness for your simple coffee brewing method. Heat the water while you dress. Pour on the fly as you gather your gear. Grab the to-go mug. Fill it. Out the door. Oh, if all of life were this easy! But something is missing: a pause for a perfect pour over. There is an art to it, and it is well worth adding a few precious minutes to your daily routine.

Even if science was not your forte in school, you will appreciate the beautiful science of the true pour over technique. It is all about timing and composure. A true meditation in action. The perfect pour over technique offers unsurpassed flavor extraction. Every day.

Ever notice how your morning cup tastes slightly different every day? Even though you always use the same beans? It is not a mystery of the twilight zone; it is all about technique. Ah, we are not blaming you for revving up your routine to get the day started. We simply want to invite you to remember one of coffee’s most endearing qualities: It demands full attention and presence. This, right there, is a life saver.

Here is why pour over is so different from other classic immersion brewing methods, such as the French Press, for example. With pour over, the water just passes through; with immersion methods, the grounds remain submerged for an extended period of time. While running water speeds up the extraction, it also means that extraction occurs mainly where the flow of water comes in contact with the coffee grounds. With some beans exposed more than others, the result is an uneven brew and limited flavor extraction.

A slow, steady, circular motion over the grounds as you pour is the obvious solution. This, as you realize, requires patience. You can make it a bit easier on yourself with a gooseneck kettle. This feature slows the flow of water and gives you perfect control for the perfect pour over.

Begin with fresh-roasted, fresh ground coffee. Of course.

The First Pour starts in the center. Slowly expand your circular motions to reach the edge so that all the grounds are evenly moistened. Keep in mind that the coffee grounds are concentrated  in the center of the filter cone, so this area requires a bit more water. Do not pour right against the filter yet. Stay on top of the grounds.

Once you have reached the outer perimeter of the coffee grounds, Pause for at least 30 seconds.

Then, pour again,  also beginning at the center and moving around toward the outer edge, then returning to the center one last time. You’ll want to time your pouring just right so there is enough water remaining in the kettle to pour over the sides of the filter this time, pushing the coffee grounds in.

There are a few variations to this technique, complete with timers and scales, first blooms and second blooms. They are well worth the time to experiment and you might want to do so at your leisure. We thought we’d offer a slightly condensed version of the process because we understand that while you truly want to savor the precious moments in life, you also need to go places and get things done.

The pour over method is a hands-on method. Let it be a reminder to slow your movements and inhabit a moment, the time of a morning brew.




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in The Vermont Coffee Blog

Coffee Brewing Tips
Coffee Brewing Tips

12 tips for brewing perfect coffee.

Continue Reading →

How to Pair Coffee and Dessert
How to Pair Coffee and Dessert

Just as there are diverse tastes in sweets and coffees, there are diverse schools of thought regarding the ideal combination of coffee and dessert. Even great chefs have different opinions about this, but they do agree on one thing: in the end, it’s a matter of experimentation and developing one’s palate. This being said, there … Continue reading How to Pair Coffee and Dessert

Continue Reading →

Chocolate Coffee Fudge
Chocolate Coffee Fudge

This recipe is perfect for the Holiday Season! It's a tried and true favorite at our house. Cooking with Coffee Powder is the magic ingredient. These are so rich and decadent, you won't be disappointed!

Continue Reading →

Shopify secure badge