Nowadays, you are likely to encounter pour over brewers at almost any coffee establishment.
In the world of sophisticated coffee, discussion about the process of making pour-over can be filled with technical language and difficult-to-understand descriptions of baristas’ techniques, making it seem like an intimidatingly challenging job that can only be done by an expert.
It may seem complicated, but creating a cup of pour over coffee is actually quite simple; with the right advice, anyone can make delicious coffee every time.
What is a pour over?
The most basic way to make pour over coffee is to pour hot water over coffee grounds.
Making coffee using a pour over brewer follows the same idea as when making coffee with a traditional machine like a Mr. coffee. By using hot water to steep coffee grounds, you can extract the perfect quantity of flavor to make an extremely enjoyable cup of coffee. The main distinction between the two is that a pour over requires you to manually pour the water instead of relying on a machine to do it. This implies you possess the ability to change various factors such as the temperature of the water, the duration of the brew, the amount of stirring, and much more. By having this extra level of control, you are able to create your coffee precisely to your preference and make minor modifications in the brewing process if the taste is not quite right.
The origin of the pour over method of coffee brewing dates back to the early 1900s, and many new methods have been created based on the original invention since then. It may be enjoyable to debate which brewer is the finest and back it up with evidence, however, the reality is each brewer has positives and negatives.
?Understanding The Pour-Over Method
The pour-over technique involves more than one tool. A dripper, filters, and a grinder that yields a optimal size are all required. You will have to pick a coffee brand that appeals to you the most. A grinder is a necessary tool and is critical to the process of making pour-over coffee.
The proper size of the grind will make your coffee taste exactly as you want it, however an incorrect one can ruin the overall experience. Choosing the correct grinder from the many options in the market can be a difficult decision.
Before coming to a conclusion, familiarize yourself with the influence of the level of coarseness on the flavor.
Generally, a fine grind can make your cup of coffee taste bitter, but grinding your beans coarsely may give a sour flavor that makes you question the adequacy of your grinder. A finely ground consistency that is the same size as table salt is the ideal size for making a tasty cup of coffee with the pour-over technique.
Aside from the necessary materials, it is also crucial to allow adequate time for the brewing process.
Begin by heating up water for 30 minutes and then allow it to steep for an additional 3 minutes. It’s critical that you don’t let the coffee that has just been ground sit for too long. Brewing coffee with freshly ground beans will create an unparalleled depth of flavor that all coffee fanatics desire.
The simplicity of preparing pour-over coffee is not to be underestimated, however, the items you employ will have a large effect. The brewing process necessitates the use of a strainer and an apparatus for dripping that allows the crucial oils to pass through.
Choose your material
Most pour overs are produced from one of four possible materials: plastic that does not contain BPA, porcelain, glass or metal. The two main factors that influence your ability to make good coffee are the durability and heat retention qualities of the materials used.
Metal/Stainless Steel Metal pour overs are by far the most durable. If you tend to drop things a lot, a metal coffee maker is likely to be more reliable and travel-safe, making it great to toss into a suitcase or tote along to a campsite. Nonetheless, it is important to point out that the metal can corrode gradually, so it is essential to make sure they are completely dried out after every brew.
In contradiction to what you might expect, utilizing a metal brewer is generally not the best option for keeping your coffee hot through the brewing process (that being said, there are some exceptions to this).
Maintaining an adequate heat level of the “slurry” (the mixture that is being brewed inside the pour over) is crucial for making a delightful cup of coffee. The positive thing is that even if your coffee maker isn’t good at holding the heat, you can still achieve a high-quality cup of tea if you remember to pour some hot liquid along the sides beforehand. Metal is usually the preferred material for those who prefer iced coffee because it does not tend to keep the heat in, resulting in a cooler beverage.
Fragility is usually associated with glass pour overs. It’s important to still warm up, but glass is much better at maintaining the heat of your fluids than metal. Glass coffee makers often look very attractive and add a nice touch to your home coffee area or bar.
Porcelain pour overs tend to be a bit more robust than glass, yet they are still quite delicate. Warmed up pour overs made of glass and porcelain are almost the same in terms of how much heat they retain, so it’s a good idea to heat up your device by using hot water. The biggest contrast between glass and porcelain coffee makers is the way they look (who wants a painted porcelain brewer, right?).
It should be noted that since porcelain is a more precise form of ceramic, these brewers may also be referred to as “ceramic.”
Choose your shape
A vast selection of various types of pour overs exist, and they can be generally classified into three distinct shapes: flat-bottomed, conical, and wedge-shaped.
Flat-bottom Flat-bottom brewers tend to be the most user-friendly. This brewer has a bottom that is made to be flat, and has one or a few openings in it which allows the coffee to push through. It is essential for making excellent coffee to make certain that all of your coffee grounds are adequately moist. With these brewers having more of their bottom exposed, it is fairly easy to achieve what you’re trying to do.
A pour over in the shape of a cone has slanted walls and one opening in the middle. Since all the water has to go through one spot to be emptied and the cone shape does not give a lot of area at the bottom, to get the grounds equally wet requires a greater level of precision in technique with cones.
Do not let this put you off utilizing a cone, since there are loads of outstanding brewing courses to aid you learn promptly — just be ready for having to be more keen and alert while brewing.
Choose your brewer and size
At this point, it’s probable that you’ve selected the most suitable form and material for your requirements (if not, that’s alright too!). Apart from wedge drippers, there is all manner of shapes and materials to choose from in terms of needle-type coffee drippers. Porcelain and plastic are the main materials for wedge drippers, however.
If you selected flat-bottom, your options are…
The Kalita Wave is a great option for people new to pour over coffee, as it is produced in glass, metal, porcelain and plastic and is relatively tolerant of mistakes when it comes to pouring. The filter is intended to prevent the coffee grounds from reaching the bottom, which aids in sustaining the temperature level (which will create a superior coffee!).
Stagg is a new product line from Fellow Products, and it currently only comes in metal. Nevertheless, Stagg’s design of a double wall that is vacuum-insulated helps it keep the heat in better than many other metal brewers. Stagg comes with a bonus feature of a ratio helper included which is great for making coffee without a weighing device.
If you selected cone, your options are…
The Popularity Of The Pour-Over Method
The pour-over approach has become highly favored in recent times. There are a lot of companies that tout their grinders, funnels, and drippers as being of the highest quality. Making a cup of coffee using the pour-over method requires some effort, however, it is definitely worth it as the taste is incredibly pleasant and full-flavored. An important perk of this form of coffee-making is the amount of oversight you have on the production. You can work out how strong the drink is, as well as try out different combinations of the ingredients to whip up a cup of coffee that perfectly suits your preference.
You must pay close attention to the brewing of your coffee in order to ensure it comes out correctly. The brewing technique is responsible for the superior flavor of pour-over coffee. When the grind is doused with an even distribution of hot water, it is able to bring out an increased amount of flavor. You are able to regulate the velocity with which the water is dispensed, and this will give you an excellent cup of coffee.
10 Best Pour-Over Sets Available In The Market
You should now be aware of how essential it is to have the right tools in order to make pour-over coffee. Here is a compilation of 10 of the finest coffee sets accessible today to guarantee that you can savor refreshing coffee every morning.
All of the companies included have released top-notch pour-over sets created to give a special coffee experience.
1. Chemex Classic Series
The design of the series is aesthetically pleasing and reflects the simplicity of its operation. Different sizes of the glass coffee maker are available. Therefore, you have an option of selecting a 3-cup, 6-cup, 8-cup, or 10-cup model that allows your coffee to retain its taste and aroma. The special Borosilicate glass used in this range of products is what makes your pour-over coffee taste remarkable. The flavor of the coffee brewed in Chemex Classic Series is attributed to the glass guarding against any impurities or smells.
Chemex’s bonded filters such as FC-100, FP-1, FSU-100, and FS-100 can be used in conjunction with the classic line. There are two different types of the same glass coffee machine. The first model has no handle and has a simple, classic look.
2. OXO Good Grips Glass Pour-Over Set
The OXO pour-over coffee set is a great option that can be found at a reasonable cost. The same type of borosilicate glass is employed for the set in order to guarantee that the coffee remains of high quality and energizing. This set is perfect for making and having a mug of coffee, or for brewing multiple cups at once using pour-over coffee.
Brewing coffee with the OXO pour over set results in a bold, aromatic flavor as all particles and aromas are filtered out. The carafe has lines indicating the correct amount of coffee to make it just right. Nevertheless, you are not limited to using the set one time only. The OXO pour over carafe is designed to be highly insulated and maintain the heat of coffee for an extended period.
3. Coffee Gator Pour-Over Kettle
Coffee Gator is popular for more than just quality. This brand produces appliances that have a superior level of quality that are also aesthetically pleasing.
Number two on our rundown is this Coffee Gator-supplied kettle, which is excellent for those who appreciate the craft of making pour-over espresso. The layout and form of the kettle is perfect for making pour-over coffee.
4. Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
It won’t take long for you to be able to enjoy a hot cup of dark, aromatic coffee with this item. This particular set has a unique talent for preserving the scent and intense taste of coffee, making it stand out from the crowd. Those who have the Bodum pour-over coffee maker are able to have an enjoyable cup of their favored drink effortlessly every day.