Pour Over Coffee: A Beginner's Guide

Pour over coffee is one of the most rewarding brewing methods you can master at home. With just a dripper, a gooseneck kettle, and freshly ground beans, you can unlock layers of flavour that machines simply can't replicate.

What You'll Need

  • A pour over dripper (V60, Chemex, or Kalita Wave)
  • Gooseneck kettle
  • Filter papers
  • Coffee grinder (burr grinder preferred)
  • Kitchen scale
  • Fresh, high-quality coffee beans

The Ratio

Start with a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio. For a single cup, use 15g of coffee to 225ml of water at around 93°C (just off the boil).

Step-by-Step Brew Guide

  1. Rinse your filter — Place the filter in the dripper and pour hot water through it to remove any papery taste. Discard the rinse water.
  2. Grind your beans — Aim for a medium-fine grind, similar to coarse sand. Freshness matters enormously; grind just before brewing.
  3. Bloom — Add your grounds and pour twice their weight in water (about 30ml for 15g of coffee). Wait 30–45 seconds. This releases trapped CO₂ and primes the grounds for even extraction.
  4. Pour slowly — In gentle circular motions, pour the remaining water over 2–3 minutes, keeping the water level steady above the grounds.
  5. Enjoy — Remove the dripper and savour. A well-made pour over should be clean, bright, and complex.

Choosing the Right Beans

Pour over is ideal for showcasing lighter, single-origin coffees where florals, fruit notes, and delicate acidity can shine. Browse our Coffees À La Carte collection or explore our Coffee Beans range to find the perfect match for your next pour over session.

Tips for a Better Cup

  • Use filtered water for a cleaner flavour.
  • Keep your pour slow and steady — patience is the secret ingredient.
  • Experiment with grind size and ratio to dial in your preferred strength.
  • Clean your equipment after every brew to prevent oil build-up.

Pour over is a ritual as much as it is a brewing method. Once you've tasted the difference, it's hard to go back.