How to Brew Pour-Over Coffee

Hot water poured over coffee grounds in a pour-over brewer
Photo: Nadia Valko / Unsplash

Direct answer. For one big mug, use 22 grams of medium-fine coffee and 350 grams of water at about 200°F (1:16). Wet the grounds with twice their weight in water and wait 30 to 45 seconds for the bloom. Then pour in slow circles up to the full weight, finishing in about 3 minutes.

Recipe card

Dose 22 g
Water 350 g
Ratio 1:16
Grind Medium-fine, a little finer than table salt
Temperature About 200°F (93°C)
Time About 3:00 total

Steps

  1. Heat water. Set a filter in the cone, and rinse it with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
  2. Add the ground coffee and shake the bed level. Zero your scale.
  3. Bloom. Pour about 45 g of water (roughly twice the coffee weight), wetting all of the grounds. Wait 30 to 45 seconds. The bed will puff as trapped carbon dioxide escapes.
  4. Pour in slow circles from the center outward, keeping the water level steady. Reach 350 g by about 1:45 to 2:00.
  5. Let it drain. The whole brew should finish near 3 minutes. Swirl and serve.

Troubleshooting

  • Drains in under 2:30 and tastes sour or thin. Grind finer, pour more slowly.
  • Takes over 4 minutes and tastes bitter or dry. Grind coarser.
  • Uneven taste. Pour more evenly. Water running down the filter walls bypasses the coffee, and water that cuts paths through the bed is called channeling.
  • Flat. Coffee is stale or the water cooled. Preheat the server and mug.

The recipe above is a starting point. To strengthen it, lower the water; to lighten it, raise the water.

FAQ

Do I need a gooseneck kettle?

It helps with control, but it is not required. A steady, slow pour from any kettle gets you close.

What is the bloom for?

Freshly roasted coffee holds carbon dioxide, which pushes water away. The bloom lets the gas escape so the water extracts evenly.

Which filter cone should I buy?

Any standard cone or flat-bottom dripper works. The grind and pour time matter more than the shape.

Why is my pour-over sour?

It is under-extracted. Grind finer, use hotter water, or slow your pour.

Can I use pre-ground coffee?

Yes, use a medium grind. Whole bean ground fresh will taste better.

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