So, you wanna know how to make pour over coffee? Good call. Honestly, it’s one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to make a truly great cup of coffee at home. No fancy machines, no weird buttons, and no confusing settings. Just hot water, a filter, some ground beans, and a little bit of patience. And okay, maybe a kettle with a skinny spout thing. That helps too.
A lot of people think pour over is like this ultra hipster-only brewing method, but nope—it’s actually super chill and kinda fun once you get the hang of it. In this guide, I’ll break it down step-by-step, keep it simple, and maybe ramble a little, because that’s what humans do, right?
What Is Pour Over Coffee, Anyway?
If you’re completely new to pour over coffee, no worries. Let’s clear it up. Pour over is a manual brewing method where you pour hot water over ground coffee through a filter. The coffee then drips slowly into a mug or carafe. That’s basically it.
What makes it special is the control you have over how the coffee tastes. You can tweak stuff like the water temperature, pour speed, and coffee-to-water ratio. So if you like a cup that’s smooth, not too bitter, and has all the subtle notes your favorite beans brag about—this is your jam.
What You’ll Need (Don’t Worry, It’s Not a Lot)
Okay, let’s get to the gear. You don’t need a whole lab setup or anything fancy. Just a few essentials:
- Freshly ground coffee (medium grind, like sea salt)
- Pour over dripper (like a V60, Chemex, or Kalita Wave)
- Paper filter (make sure it fits your dripper)
- Gooseneck kettle (super helpful for control)
- Digital scale (optional, but great for consistency)
- Hot water (just off the boil—around 200°F or 93°C)
- A mug or carafe
If you’re missing a scale, don’t stress. I’ll throw in some approximate measurements, too. You’re good.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Pour Over Coffee
1. Heat Your Water
Start by boiling some water—like 500 ml if you’re just making one or two cups. Let it sit for about 30 seconds after boiling so it’s not too hot. Around 200°F (93°C) is the sweet spot.
2. Set Up Your Dripper
Place your pour over dripper on top of your mug or carafe. Pop the paper filter in and rinse it with hot water. This helps get rid of any papery taste. Don’t skip this part! Just… don’t. Discard the rinse water.
3. Weigh and Grind Your Coffee
For one cup (about 10–12 oz), use 15–18 grams of coffee. If you’re not using a scale, that’s about 3 tablespoons. Grind it to a medium texture—like rough sand or sea salt. Too fine and your coffee will taste bitter, too coarse and it’ll be weak.
4. Add Coffee to Filter
Pour the ground coffee into the filter. Gently tap it to level the bed. This helps with even extraction (aka: it makes the coffee taste better).
5. The Bloom (aka: the “Wow, Coffee is Alive” Moment)
Pour a small amount of hot water (about 30–40g or just enough to wet all the grounds). Let it sit for 30–45 seconds. This step lets the coffee “bloom” and release gas. You’ll see bubbles—totally normal and oddly satisfying.
6. Pour the Rest of the Water—Slowly
Start pouring in a slow, circular motion from the center outwards. Try not to just dump the water straight in the middle (been there, done that, not great). Add water gradually over 2.5 to 3 minutes until you hit about 250–300 ml total. That’s about 1 to 1.5 cups.
7. Let It Drip
Let the coffee fully drip through the filter. Don’t rush it. The total brew time should be around 3 to 4 minutes. If it’s way faster or slower, you might need to tweak your grind next time.
8. Sip and Smile
Done! Toss the filter and grounds, give your coffee a stir, and take a sip. It should be smooth, flavorful, and honestly, just… better than your average cup.
Pro Tips (Because Mistakes Happen)
- Don’t skip rinsing the filter. It’s tempting, especially when you’re sleepy. But trust me—it makes a difference.
- Grind matters. Too fine = bitter. Too coarse = sour or watery.
- Water quality counts. If your tap water tastes weird, your coffee will too.
- Be patient. Your first pour over might not be perfect. That’s okay. Seriously.
Final Thoughts on Making Pour Over Coffee
Learning how to make pour over coffee isn’t just about making a cup—it’s about slowing down, dialing into the process, and kinda just vibing with your morning routine. You don’t have to get everything right the first time. Heck, you might forget to rinse the filter or grind your beans a bit too fine. We’ve all been there.
But once you get into the rhythm, it’s really rewarding. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing. Win-win.
So grab your dripper, boil some water, and start experimenting. Your future self—with that perfect, rich cup of pour over—will thank you.