Why Pour-Over?
Pour-over coffee is one of the most rewarding brewing methods you can master at home. It's hands-on, precise, and produces a clean, bright cup that highlights the nuanced flavors of high-quality coffee — exactly the kind we source at Light & Hope.
It takes about 4 minutes. Here's how to do it right.
What You'll Need
- Pour-over coffee maker
- Paper or reusable filter
- Freshly ground coffee (Standard or Coarse grind)
- Kettle (gooseneck preferred for control)
- Scale (optional but recommended)
- Timer
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat Your Water
Bring water to 200°F (93°C) — just off the boil. Water that's too hot will over-extract and turn bitter. Too cool and you'll get a flat, under-developed cup.
Step 2: Rinse Your Filter
Place the filter in your pour-over and rinse it with hot water. This removes any papery taste and pre-heats your brewer. Discard the rinse water.
Step 3: Add Your Coffee
Use a ratio of 1:15 — 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. For a standard 12oz cup, that's about 22g of coffee to 330g of water. Use a Standard grind — similar to coarse sand.
Step 4: The Bloom
Pour just enough water to saturate all the grounds (about 2x the weight of your coffee) and wait 30 seconds. This "bloom" releases CO2 from fresh coffee and ensures even extraction.
Step 5: Pour in Circles
Slowly pour the remaining water in steady, circular motions from the center outward. Keep the water level consistent — don't let it drain completely between pours. Aim to finish pouring by the 2:30 mark.
Step 6: Let It Drain and Enjoy
Allow the coffee to finish draining — total brew time should be 3:30 to 4:00 minutes. Remove the filter and enjoy immediately.
Best Coffees for Pour-Over
Pour-over shines with lighter, more nuanced coffees. We recommend our Blonde Light Roast, Latin American Blend, or African Kahawa Blend — their bright, complex flavors come alive with this method.