How to brew a drip coffee

Drip coffee or pour-over coffee brewing has been around for a while. In the 1900s, it was the most popular method of getting your caffeine fix. Now, with the arrival of the Third-Wave coffee movement and the rise of specialty coffee, it has become a staple everywhere.

Also referred to as hand brewing, pour-over coffee is made by manually pouring water over the coffee grounds before filtering into a carafe. Of course, there is more to it than that. Our handy brewing guide will delve into everything you need to know about this particular brewing method. So, be sure to keep reading and we’ll show you how to brew a drip coffee.

Great pour-over coffee gives you a clean and consistent drink. This is made possible through its use of the infusion method. Unlike immersion techniques, like the one used by the French press, pour-overs make use of a constant supply of water. This not only eliminates the problem of water saturation, but it also allows for better extraction of coffee oils and fragrances.

Remember, the use of filters for pour-over coffee is what makes a much smoother and cleaner cup possible. This is because you won’t have to deal with any more coffee soluble as you would with a French Press.

That said, there are several effective pour-over options available to you. Listed below are just some of the most popular brands:

• Hario V60
• Kalita Wave
• Melitta
• Chemex

Save for the Chemex that is a single piece of glassware, all of these devices are designed to sit atop the carafe as you pour water over the grounds. While they may make use of the same concept, take note that there are subtle differences between them that ultimately affect the final brew.

Before we begin, make sure that you are using freshly-ground, light roast coffee beans on medium grind size. Pour-over coffee works best to accentuate subtle flavor notes. So, the acidity of the light roast gives makes it the perfect choice.

Also, remember that we are working with the water-coffee ratio of 18:1. That’s 11g of coffee per 6oz. cup. That said, follow the steps below to make a great cup of pour-over coffee

1. Heat water to an off-boil or 195-205 Degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pre-Wet Your Filter. Remember that rinsing the filter will save you from having that paper aftertaste in your coffee. Just pour in a circular motion, hitting all sides of the paper, for five seconds. Then, don’t forget to throw out the water afterward.
3. Initial Pour/Bloom – Let the coffee grounds release its gases by pouring 30 grams or so of water. Enjoy the blooming process as you are treated with the sweet aromas of coffee. Wait for 30 seconds before proceeding to the next step.
4. Final Pour – Now, it’s time to pour your remaining water to complete the brewing process. Follow a widening spiral motion, starting from the center of your grounds toward the edges. Make sure that all your coffee grounds are coated evenly.

This is everything you need to know about the pour-over coffee method. We’ve kept everything as simple as possible so you can try it yourself. Now you know how to brew a drip coffee.