How to Make Pour Over Coffee?

Amanda Klein

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit of a coffee snob. I’m not the kind of person who needs to go to Starbucks every day, but I do enjoy a good cup of pour over coffee from time to time.

If you’re like me and you want to start making pour over coffee at home, this blog post is for you! I’ll walk you through the steps on how to make pour over coffee using a Chemex, and I’ll also share some tips on how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Enjoy!

How to Make Pour Over Coffee

What is pour over coffee?

Pour over coffee is a method of brewing coffee in which hot water is poured over ground coffee beans and then filtered through a paper filter. This method of brewing coffee is often considered to be the best way to make a cup of coffee, as it allows for a more controlled extraction of the coffee beans.

different types of pour over coffee maker

There are many different types of pour over coffee makers on the market, but Chemex is one of the most popular and well-known brands. Other popular brands include the Hario V60 and the Kalita Wave. In this guide, we are using the Chemex to make the pour over coffee.

What is a Chemex?

Chemex

The Chemex is a pour over coffee maker that was invented in 1941 by German chemist Peter Schlumbohm. The Chemex is made of glass and has a conical shape with a wooden collar and tie. The Chemex is designed to brew coffee using the drip method, which involves slowly pouring hot water over coffee grounds and allowing the coffee to drip into a carafe or mug.

What will you need to make pour over coffee?

Ingredient:

  • Coffee Beans
  • Filtered Water

Equipment:

  • Pour-Over Brewer: I like to use a Chemex, but you can also use a Hario V60, or any other pour over brewer.
  • Coffee Grinder: I recommend using a burr grinder, as it will grind the coffee beans more evenly.
  • Filters: You’ll need paper filters that are designed for your pour over brewer.
  • Kettle: You’ll need a kettle to heat up the water. (A kettle with a thin spout like a gooseneck spout is best for pouring)
  • Digital Scale: You’ll need a kitchen scale that can measure in grams
  • Timer

How to Brew Pour Over Coffee?

Step 1: Grind your coffee beans.

Start by grinding your coffee beans. You’ll want to use a medium-fine grind like sea salt or sand, as this will allow for a more controlled extraction. I like to use about 18 grams of water for every gram of coffee.

Step 2: Place the filter in the pour over brewer.

Next, you’ll want to place the filter in the pour over brewer. Make sure that the filter fits snugly in the brewer, as this will prevent any coffee grounds from getting into your cup.

Step 3: Pour hot water over the filter.

Before you add any coffee grounds to the filter, you’ll want to pour hot water over the filter. This will help to preheat the brewer and also help to remove any paper taste from the filter. I like to use about 200 grams of water for every 16 ounces of coffee.

Step 4: Add the coffee grounds to the filter.

Once you’ve preheated the brewer, you can add the coffee grounds to the filter. Make sure to evenly distribute the grounds in the filter.

Step 5: Slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds.

Pour over coffee using a Chemex

Now it’s time to start brewing! Slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds, being sure to evenly wet all of the grounds. I like to use a circular motion when pouring the water.

Step 6: Continue pouring hot water until the desired amount of coffee is brewed.

Keep pouring hot water over the coffee grounds until you’ve reached your desired amount of coffee. I typically brew about 32 ounces of coffee, but you can adjust this depending on how strong you like your coffee.

Step 7: Remove the filter and enjoy!

Once the coffee is finished brewing, remove the filter and pour yourself a cup. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Perfect Cup of Pour Over Coffee

Now that you know how to make pour over coffee, here are a few tips to help you make the perfect cup:

  • Use freshly ground coffee beans. Coffee beans start to lose their flavor as soon as they’re ground, so it’s important to use fresh beans.
  • Use filtered water. This will help to remove any impurities from the water and will also help to improve the taste of the coffee.
  • Use a gooseneck kettle. A gooseneck kettle will allow you to pour the water more slowly and evenly over the coffee grounds.
  • Don’t over-extract the coffee. This can happen if you use too much coffee, grind the beans too finely, or brew for too long. Over-extracted coffee can taste bitter and harsh.
  • Experiment with different ratios of coffee to water. You may need to adjust the ratio of coffee to water depending on your personal preferences. Start with a ratio of 1:16 (1 part coffee to 16 parts water) and adjust from there. The range is usually between 1:16 to 1:19.

Amanda Klein

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