What is the best water temperature for pour-over coffee?

The best water temperature for hand brewed coffee

Pour-over coffee is a traditional method of brewing coffee by slowly pouring hot water over the ground coffee, which allows the ground coffee to fully contact the water and extract more flavor and aroma. In pour-over coffee, water temperature is a very important factor. So what is the best water temperature for pour-over coffee? Let's explore it in detail.

Understanding the factors that influence

Before determining the optimal water temperature, we need to understand some influencing factors. First, different types of coffee beans have different requirements for water temperature. Generally speaking, strong and bitter beans are suitable for higher temperatures (such as 90°C-96°C), while beans with higher acidity or floral aroma are suitable for lower temperatures (such as 85°C-90°C). Secondly, different people's preferences for taste and flavor will also lead to differences in the optimal water temperature.

Finding a balance

Based on the above considerations, we can find a balance point as the optimal water temperature in actual operation. Generally speaking, the best water temperature recommended by most baristas is 88°C-94°C. The water temperature in this range can fully extract the aroma and taste of the coffee powder, while not being too hot to cause bitterness or burnt taste.

Adjust the water temperature

If you want to try different coffee tastes and flavors, you can fine-tune the water temperature according to your preferences. For example, if you like strong coffee, you can increase the water temperature to above 90°C; if you prefer beans with higher acidity or floral aroma, you can lower the water temperature to around 85°C.

Precautions

Using the right water temperature for pour-over coffee is very important, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Keep it stable: No matter which range of optimal water temperature you choose, it needs to be stable during the brewing process. Therefore, before pouring hot water, please preheat the brewer and cup, and control the pouring speed in an appropriate way.
2. Choose a suitable kettle: In order to better control the water temperature, it is recommended to use an electric kettle with adjustable temperature or a manual thermometer to measure the water temperature.
3. Practice and experiment: Each coffee bean has its own unique characteristics, so the optimal water temperature will also be different. Through practice and experimentation, you can find the best water temperature for your taste.

Summarize

Pour-over coffee is a delicate and complex process, and choosing the right water temperature is one of the keys. While there is no one fixed answer, a good starting point is 88°C-94°C, as recommended by most baristas and based on personal taste preferences. Through consistency, adjustment, and practice, you can find the optimal water temperature that best suits your taste and flavor requirements.