Mastering how to grind coffee for pour over is a skill that all coffee enthusiasts must learn. This brewing method has only recently shot into popularity. Even so, it is now one of the most sought-after methods because of the full-bodied flavor it can produce.
While pouring water over coffee grinds to make a cup sounds simple, there are crucial steps to consider. In this guide, we will go over how you can find the perfect grind for pour-over coffee. We’ll also explore how to make the ideal cup so that you can get your days started right.
What Is the Hype Behind Pour-Over Coffee?
It seems like every popular celebrity has tried their hands at pour-over coffee on social media, and for good reason. Not only is it a fantastic way to experience the full flavor of your favorite beans, but it is also often considered an art style.
When following the pour-over method, you are simply putting hot water on top of your coffee grounds in a filter. When the coffee is poured, it then works through the grounds and filters into a carafe or containers. You may have heard this brewing method referred to as drip coffee or filter coffee.
Compared to traditional brewing, hand pouring is ideal for getting the intricate flavors out of your beans. You will find far more aromas and flavors will shine through the beans.
As long as you pour consistently and use a good coffee-to-water ratio, it will be a whole new experience. By using this infusion method, you will learn to appreciate the more nuanced components of your traditional beans.
How To Grind Coffee for Pour Over
For pour-over coffee, making sure your coffee is ground perfectly is of the utmost importance. Unlike other brewing methods, such as the French press, consistency is vital. You won’t get the same experience from uneven coffee bean granules.
If there is one thing to be said about this brewing method, the prep work is more time-intensive than other brewing methods. With that said, let’s get into the steps of learning how to grind your coffee perfectly for pour-over.
Step 1: Find the Ideal Grind Size
The industry-recommended grind size for pour-over coffee is a medium to coarse size, leaning more towards medium. With a medium, you will have the correct size for optimal infusion. Remember, the water only touches the coffee for a short period but is more prolonged than espresso.
It is essential to have a grind that allows water to contact the largest surface area per granule. Otherwise, you’ll have a flavorless cup waiting for you. Then again, you won’t want to choose a size that allows for over-extraction, which can result in bitter coffee.
Step 2: Use a Burr Grinder
Knowing that a medium grind size is ideal for pour-over, you might be wondering how you can achieve the perfect consistency. Our top recommendation is to invest in a burr grinder to help you get started.
Considering pour-over coffee requires consistency, you will want to avoid a blade grinder. There is no denying that they are easy to use. However, they often provide varying granule shapes, making them better for French presses instead.
With a burr grinder, you will have a batch of reliably ground coffee to create the perfect cup. An added benefit of burr grinders is they process your beans without overheating them and releasing the flavors too early.
Always ensure that you’re investing in a high-quality grinder made with impressive materials, like stainless steel. The more efficient the grinding process is, the more intact the beans will be when brewing. Another benefit of burr grinders is that they are highly customizable, allowing you to work with both regular coffee beans and espresso.
Step 3: Manual Grinding Methods
If you don’t have the money to spend on a coffee grinder, it is possible to use manual methods, such as using a mortar and pestle. Although it won’t be nearly as accurate as a burr grinder, or even a blade grinder, it can help you try pour-over for the first time.
You’ll want to make sure you put a lot of time into achieving consistency across all of your coffee grinds. Without a coffee grinder, a few other common manual methods you can use at home include:
- Rolling pin
- Food processor
- Blender
Tips for Making the Perfect Pour-Over
Knowing the ideal grind size for pour-over coffee is the first step to making the perfect cup. As mentioned, this brewing method requires a very specific type of finesse compared to using a percolator. Here are a few additional tips to have under your belt to help bring out your inner barista.
1. Get the Right Equipment
Making pour-over coffee isn’t as simple as having a carafe, filter, and hot water. You will also want to consider investing in a burr grinder, a specialty kettle, a scale, and a thermometer.
Depending on your budget, you can invest in one tool every few months until you have a complete coffee brewing kit. The benefits of a burr grinder are apparent, as they help achieve even consistency across your beans.
A specialty kettle, like a slow-pouring kettle, should be your next investment. With a slow-pouring kettle, you gain more control over how much water goes over your coffee at a time.
A slower pour allows the water to hit the largest surface area of the beans, extracting the perfect amount of flavor. Lastly, a thermometer ensures your coffee is brewing at the ideal temperature, and weighing scales help measure coffee grinds.
2. Perfect Coffee Brew Ratio
Every coffee lover has an ideal ratio that they prefer to drink, and it will become the staple of your recipe. Most professionals prefer to use 60 grams of coffee per liter of water.
Ideally, you’ll want to achieve a 1:15 or 1:17 ratio to meet most coffee expectations. As you taste the many cups you’ll make over the coming months, you can fine-tune your recipe to personal specifications.
There’s no doubt that the coffee-to-water ratio is one of the most flexible aspects of this brewing method. The stronger you want your coffee to be, the lower your water-to-coffee ratio will become.
On the other hand, those who prefer a more diluted cup will choose higher water-to-coffee ratios. You may also want to try different coffee roasts to achieve the optimal flavor for your favorite morning beverage.
3. Brewing Temperature
One of the most overlooked concepts of pour-over coffee is the temperature of the water you use. It is important to note there isn’t a perfect temperature to brew at, as every method differs. On average, most people find a temperature reading between 195- and 205-degrees Fahrenheit is the most preferable.
Much like your coffee brew ratio, it is a great idea to experiment with different brewing temperatures. You might find aiming for 212 degrees Fahrenheit or even as low as 176 degrees Fahrenheit is best.
Consistency Is the Name of the Game
Figuring out how to grind coffee for pour over is easy as long as you keep consistency in mind. In that case, investing in a quality burr grinder can help you get even granules every time. Also, these machines work relatively quickly without overheating your beans before the water touches them.