How to Brew the Perfect Pour Over at Home

How to Brew the Perfect Pour Over at Home

The pour over is one of the most rewarding ways to brew coffee. It's simple, requires minimal equipment, and when done right produces a clean, bright, and incredibly nuanced cup that no machine can replicate.

Here's everything you need to know to get it right from day one.

What You'll Need

  • A pour over dripper 
  • Paper filters
  • Freshly ground coffee
  • A gooseneck kettle
  • A kitchen scale
  • A timer
  • Hot water (200°F / just off the boil)

The Coffee Ratio

The golden ratio for pour over is 1:15 — 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water.

For a single cup (roughly 12oz):

  • 25g coffee
  • 375g water

Grind Size

Medium-fine. Think table salt. Too coarse and your brew will be weak and watery. Too fine and it will over-extract and taste bitter.

If you're using pre-ground coffee, look for bags labeled specifically for pour over or drip brewing. Better yet, grind fresh right before brewing — it makes a noticeable difference.

Looking for a coffee that shines in a pour over? Our Single Origins collection is perfect for this method — the clean extraction highlights every note in the bean.

Step by Step

1. Boil your water Heat water to 200°F. If you don't have a thermometer, bring to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds.

2. Rinse your filter Place the filter in your dripper, set it over your mug or carafe, and pour hot water through the filter. This removes any paper taste and preheats your vessel. Discard the rinse water.

3. Add your coffee Add 25g of ground coffee to the filter. Give it a gentle shake to level the grounds.

4. The bloom Start your timer. Pour just enough water to saturate all the grounds — about 50g. Watch the coffee bloom and release CO2. Wait 30–45 seconds. This step is crucial — it degasses the coffee and allows for even extraction.

5. Continue pouring Pour in slow, steady circles starting from the center and working outward. Don't pour down the sides of the filter. Pour in stages, letting the water draw down slightly between pours. Aim to finish pouring by the 2:30 mark.

6. Let it finish The total brew time should be between 3:00 and 3:30 minutes. If it's running faster, go finer on the grind. If it's slower, go coarser.

7. Enjoy Remove the dripper, give your cup a swirl, and drink it while it's hot.

Pro Tips

  • Always use freshly roasted coffee. Coffee peaks between 7–21 days after roast date.
  • Filtered water makes a real difference — tap water minerals affect flavor.
  • Keep a notebook. Write down your grind setting, ratio, and brew time so you can dial it in over multiple sessions.

Best Coffees for Pour Over

Pour over rewards coffees with complexity and clarity. Light to medium roasts from single origin farms tend to shine brightest in this method.

Explore our full Single Origins collection and our Coffee Blends to find your perfect pour over match. Not sure where to start? Our Coffee Subscription lets you explore a new roast every month.

Ready to upgrade your morning routine? Shop all coffees at The Coffee Bean Connoisseur — roasted fresh, shipped fast.

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