A pour over, is considered the barista preferred method for a delicious cup of coffee. It’s straightforward, but there’s little things that can be done to make it great.
This way of making coffee, typically consisting of a single cup device or a carafe for multiple servings, uses a paper or permanent metal filtration system.
According to the Perfect Daily Grind, a German woman named Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz became unhappy with the flavor of coffee made in a percolator and the grounds it deserted in the 1900’s.
Bentz created a model for an alternative method of brewing coffee that made use of, “blotting paper and a can that she punctured with a nail.”
The outcome of Bentz’s experiment was a cup of coffee that wasn’t sharp compared to what she typically made and didn’t leave behind the grounds at the bottom.
From that point on, pour overs are widely utilized in the local coffee shop to at home java drinkers alike especially when there’s a certain aesthetic of creating coffee in a beautifully, minimalist, and functionally designed pour over.
What makes this the preferred method of choice for baristas is the combination of freshly ground coffee, the heat of boiling water cooking it, and the chosen filter to extract as much of the flavor, oils, and caffeine that can come from the coffee. Pour overs can make that morning or afternoon cup of joe taste smooth and balanced while strolling the middle lane of not being too acidic or watered down.
If there’s an intention of living frugally, buying a pour over is beneficial because it’s cost effective due to making and saving coffee in the fridge for upwards a week.
The single cup pour over can be utilized for the quality of the first cup.
The Sprudge reported on a study done by Amerisleep that people ages 25-34 spend about $2,008 per year buying coffee, while people ages 35-44 spend a bit a less at $1,410 per year.
That’s a lot of money that could be applied to other important aspects of life, such as saving or building up a retirement fund.
Now that the history, benefits, and financial impact of a pour over is covered, here’s how to use it and the tips that make it great, from a barista.
Step One: Set-up pour over
This step is self-explanatory. Depending on the model, follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
Step Two: Grind coffee
One of the three most important tips in having a delicious tasting drink is freshly ground coffee. It’s not a requirement. Store bought ground coffee can do the job, but flavor wise grinding whole beans to the specific size to suit the device will yield the best results.
Step Three: Boil water in a kettle and scoop coffee into filtration system
The first half of this step is the second important tip, it’s to boil the water hot and I mean hot. Let the kettle sing! Doing this will cook the coffee and that’s what we want for a flavorful cup of java. Then scoop a tablespoon of desired amount of coffee into the cone.
Note* The more scoops you use, the stronger the resulting cup will be. Most advise to use the gooseneck kettle, but a standard one will do.
Step Four: Pour water over the grounds evenly
Last important tip, pour water over the grounds evenly and slowly. Again, it reinforces the desire for wanting a flavorsome brew as I wrote above in steps two and three.
Step Five: Enjoy and store
Now, you can create your desired cup of coffee from lattes, Americanos, or just coffee and milk. If your model is carafe, you can store the excess in the fridge for meal prep.
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