The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Pour-Over Coffee
Welcome to your one-stop shop for mastering the art of pour-over coffee! At After Hours Coffee, we’re obsessed with the nuances of specialty coffee brewing. Whether you’re chasing vibrant fruity notes, a balanced cup, or a dessert-like sweetness, this guide has you covered.
Pour-over brewing strikes the perfect balance—it’s approachable for beginners yet endlessly rewarding for seasoned coffee enthusiasts. Below, you’ll find three expertly crafted recipes designed to elevate your coffee experience. Feel free to experiment and tweak these recipes to match your flavour preferences.
Let’s get brewing!
Why Pour-Over?
Pour-over coffee lets you fully control the brewing process, bringing out the distinct flavours and characteristics of each coffee. With just the right technique, you can achieve a clean, flavorful cup that highlights the unique qualities of the beans.
Brew Guides for Pour-Over Perfection
1. The Juicy & Fruity Brew
Ideal for: Cone Brewers (V60, Origami)
If you love vibrant acidity and fruity flavors, this recipe is for you. It’s designed to highlight the bright and juicy notes that make coffee exciting.
- Water Temperature: 92°C
- Pouring Method: Spiral outward from the center
- Brew Ratio: 1:15
Method:
- Dose 15g of medium-coarse ground coffee into your brewer.
- Bloom with 45g of water for 30 seconds.
- Pour 45g of water every 30 seconds for a total of 4 pours.
- Your brew should finish around 2:25.
Pro Tip: Use freshly roasted beans to fully enjoy the bright and fruity flavors!
2. For the Sweet Tooths
Ideal for: Flat Bed Brewers (Timemore B75, Kalita Wave, Orea)
This recipe creates a smooth, sweet cup with balanced flavors and a syrupy texture—perfect for those who enjoy a rich and indulgent coffee experience.
- Water Temperature: 90°C
- Pouring Method: Slow spiral outward from the center
- Brew Ratio: 1:16.7
Method:
- Dose 15g of medium-ground coffee into your brewer.
- Bloom with 50g of water for 30 seconds.
- Pour 40g of water every 15 seconds for a total of 5 pours.
- Your brew should finish around 2:30.
Pro Tip: Experiment with slightly finer grinds if you want more sweetness.
3. Balanced & Well-Bodied
Ideal for: Percolation + Immersion Brewers (Hario Switch, Clever Dripper)
For a coffee that’s full-bodied yet balanced, this recipe combines immersion and percolation techniques to extract a complex flavor profile.
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Water Temperatures:
- First two pours: 92°C
- Third pour: 75°C
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Pouring Method:
- Spiral outward for the first two pours
- Rapid, steady center pour for the third
Brew Ratio: 1:14
Method:
- Dose 15g of medium-fine ground coffee into your brewer, starting with the percolation setting.
- Bloom with 40g of water for 30 seconds.
- Add 70g of water for the second pour.
- Adjust your kettle to 75°C by adding cold water.
- Switch to immersion mode and pour 100g of water at 1:10.
- At 1:40, revert to percolation mode.
- Your brew should finish around 2:40.
Pro Tip: This method works well with coffees that have a rich chocolate or nutty profile.
Tips for Pour Over Success
- Fresh Coffee: Always use freshly roasted coffee beans, preferably within 2-4 weeks of roasting, to get the best flavour.
- Filtered Water: Use filtered water to avoid off-flavours caused by tap water.
- Consistent Grind Size: Invest in a good burr grinder for precise and uniform grind sizes.
- Scale and Timer: Measure both coffee and water by weight, and track your brew time for repeatable results.
- Clean Equipment: Always clean your brewer and kettle after use to maintain a pure coffee taste.
Why It Matters
Each of these methods is tailored to showcase the best qualities of the coffee you’re brewing. Whether you’re in the mood for a bright and juicy cup, something rich and sweet, or a well-balanced brew, there’s a recipe here for every palate.
Share Your Brew!
We’d love to see your creations. Share your pour-over moments on Instagram and tag us at @afterhrs.coffee!
Start Brewing with Our Specialty Coffees
Looking for the perfect beans to elevate your pour-over experience? Browse our selection of freshly roasted, single-origin coffees and find your favourite.