A Beginner's Guide to Pour Over Coffee Beans

A Beginner's Guide to Pour Over Coffee Beans

Pour-over coffee is a simple yet sophisticated method that delivers authentic coffee flavor. In this article, we’ll show you how to get started with pour-over coffee beans and share some tips and considerations.

Choosing the right coffee beans

Choosing the right coffee beans is the first step to successful hand-poured coffee. Coffee beans from different regions and varieties have unique flavor characteristics, so you can choose according to your preferences. If you like a higher acidity, refreshing and bright flavor, you can try single-origin beans from Colombia or Ethiopia; if you prefer a rich, cocoa-like sweet taste, then beans from Brazil or Indonesia may be more suitable.

In addition, when purchasing, be sure to select beans that have been well preserved during the fresh roasting process and have no signs of deterioration. It is best to choose beans that are whole and unbroken, smooth in color, and have no oily oozing out of the surface.

Grinding coffee beans

Pour-over coffee requires grinding the coffee beans to a suitable coarseness so that the water can fully contact the coffee and extract the best flavor. For pour-over, a medium to medium-coarse grind is the ideal choice.

You can use an electric or manual coffee bean grinder. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to buy a machine with adjustable powder fineness and good stability. Remember to clean and calibrate the machine before use and follow the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Purify water

Water quality is very important for making quality pour-over coffee. Pure, chlorine-free, odor-free water with an appropriate hardness (total dissolved solids) of 100-200 ppm is the best choice. If the tap water in your area does not meet these standards, you can consider using a filter or purchasing bottled purified water to make it.

Control soaking time

The steeping time will directly affect the flavor of the coffee. Generally, the steeping time of hand-brewed coffee is between 3-4 minutes. If you like a lighter, fresher coffee, you can shorten the steeping time; if you prefer a stronger, fuller taste, you can extend the steeping time.

In addition, maintain an even and steady speed when pouring water to ensure that the coffee powder is fully in contact with the water, and try to avoid excessive stirring or squeezing the coffee layer.

Control water temperature

The right water temperature is also one of the factors to pay attention to when making hand-poured coffee beans. Generally speaking, the best water temperature is 90-96°C (195-205°F). Too high or too low water temperature will affect the compounds and flavors extracted from the coffee beans.

It is recommended to use a device that has an accurate metering function and can maintain a constant temperature (such as an electric kettle) to heat the water required for hand-poured coffee making.

Taste and adjust

Tasting is the key to understanding your preferences and improving your skills. Try coffee beans from different origins, roasting degrees, and grinding degrees to taste the different flavor characteristics they bring. At the same time, you can also adjust parameters such as soaking time, water temperature, and water consumption according to your taste preferences.

When tasting, you can pay attention to aspects such as the acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and mouthfeel of the coffee, and record the characteristics you like or dislike. This will help you better understand your preferences for coffee flavor and make adjustments when making hand-poured coffee.

Maintenance equipment

Last but not least, it is important to maintain your pour-over equipment. Clean and maintain the tools involved in your use, such as filter paper, filter cup, and grinder.

Regular cleaning and removal of residue will keep your equipment in good condition and extend its life. Also, make sure it is completely dry before storing to prevent mold growth.

Conclusion

This article introduces the introductory guide to hand-poured coffee beans and shares some tips and precautions. I hope this information can help you better enjoy the process of hand-poured coffee and taste the pure coffee flavor.