Coffee enthusiasts around the world appreciate the intricate flavors and aromas that can be unlocked through the art of pour-over brewing. In this slightly A-typical guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of brewing the perfect cup of pour-over coffee. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced coffee aficionado, this guide will help you elevate your coffee brewing skills and create a truly exceptional cup of A-Typica coffee.

The Importance of Coffee Beans:

The choice of coffee beans greatly impacts your brew's flavor and quality. Quality beans with unique origin, processing, and roast levels offer diverse flavors. Freshness matters, as freshly roasted beans preserve essential oils that carry nuanced tastes. Roast level determines flavor intensity, from bright and acidic to rich and bold. Opting for reputable sources ensures consistency, while ethical choices support sustainable practices. In short, starting with top-notch beans from A-Typica Coffee sets the foundation for a remarkable cup of coffee.

Equipment and Tools: 

• Pour-Over Dripper: Choose from popular options like the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, or Chemex my favorite. Each has a unique design that affects the brewing process and the final flavor.

• Coffee Filters: Specific to your chosen dripper, these ensure a clean cup by removing fine particles and oils from the coffee. I suggest "priming" your filter by pouring some hot water where the grinds will be in contact to get rid of that "paper" flavor. Just make sure you dump out the "paper" water before brewing or this effort will be for not.

• Gooseneck Kettle: This specialized kettle allows precise control over water flow, crucial for achieving consistent saturation during pouring.

• Coffee Scale: Accurate measurement of coffee beans and water guarantees a consistent brew. Look for a scale that can handle small increments, as well as tare functionality. Amazon has several at affordable prices you don't have to break the bank as the accuracy is not that important.

• Timer: A simple kitchen timer or smartphone app helps you track each pouring stage, allowing you to fine-tune your brewing technique.

• Burr Grinder: Grinding your beans just before brewing preserves freshness. Burr grinders provide uniform particle size, which is crucial for even extraction. Second most important item on this list. See next item for most important.

• Fresh Coffee Beans: Opt for high-quality, freshly roasted A-Typica coffee beans with a flavor profile that suits your preferences. Need I say more?

• Filtered Water: Use clean, filtered water to avoid any unwanted flavors or impurities in your brew. Water quality really can effect the taste but you can still enjoy a good pour-over even with tap water. Unless your tap water smells like rotten eggs or the YMCA swimming pool... then I would say don't use it.

• Carafe or Server: A vessel to collect the brewed coffee, keeping it warm and ready for pouring.

• Cup or Mug: Your final destination for the delicious pour-over coffee!

Remember, while these are the essentials, there are various options within each category that can suit different budgets and preferences. Choose wisely based on your level of commitment to the pour-over process and your desired coffee quality.

Grind Size and Consistency:

For pour-over coffee, the desired grind size and consistency are key factors that influence the final taste and extraction of your brew. Here's a general guideline:

Grind Size: A medium-coarse to medium grind size is typically recommended for pour-over coffee. The grind should be similar in texture to coarse sand, ensuring that it's not too fine to clog the filter or too coarse to cause under-extraction.

Consistency: Consistency is crucial for even extraction. You should aim for a uniform grind size where most of the particles are roughly the same size. Uneven particles can lead to over-extraction of smaller particles and under-extraction of larger ones, resulting in an imbalanced flavor.

Using a burr grinder, rather than a blade grinder, is highly recommended for achieving the desired grind size and consistency. Burr grinders produce more uniform particle sizes, which contributes to a better extraction.

Remember that specific factors like the type of pour-over dripper you're using, the coffee beans' freshness, and personal taste preferences can also influence the ideal grind size. It's always a good practice to experiment with different grind sizes to find the one that works best for your equipment and taste preferences.

Water Temperature and Quality: 

In the pour-over coffee brewing process, the recommended water temperature plays a vital role in achieving optimal extraction and flavor. The ideal water temperature typically falls within the range of 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).

Water at this temperature range effectively extracts the desirable compounds from the coffee grounds, resulting in a balanced and flavorful cup. Water that's too hot can lead to over-extraction and bitterness, while water that's too cold can result in under-extraction and a weak cup.

Using a gooseneck kettle with a built-in thermometer or an external kitchen thermometer can help you achieve and maintain the appropriate water temperature throughout the brewing process. If you don't have a thermometer, you can let boiling water sit for about 30 seconds to a minute to reach the desired temperature range before pouring it over the coffee grounds.

Consistently using the recommended water temperature, along with the other elements of the pour-over process, will contribute to a well-extracted and flavorful cup of coffee.

Pouring Technique:

The pouring technique is a critical aspect of pour-over coffee brewing, influencing the even extraction of coffee grounds and ultimately the flavor of the cup. Here's a step-by-step guide to the recommended pouring technique:

1. Bloom Stage:
- Start by placing your pour-over dripper on your mug or carafe and inserting a filter.
- Add your freshly ground coffee to the filter.
- Gently pour hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee grounds) over the coffee, making sure all the grounds are evenly saturated. Allow the coffee to "bloom" for about 30 seconds.
- During this stage, you'll see the coffee grounds puff up as carbon dioxide is released. This degassing process prepares the coffee for further extraction.

2. Main Pour:
- After the bloom, begin the main pour. Start pouring slowly in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward.
- Maintain a steady, controlled flow of water to ensure even saturation of the coffee grounds. Aim to pour in a spiral pattern, moving from the center to the outer edges and then back toward the center.
- Avoid pouring directly onto the dripper walls to prevent uneven extraction.

3. Controlled Pour Rate:
- Maintain a consistent pour rate to control the flow of water. A slow and controlled pour helps achieve uniform saturation and extraction.
- Adjust the pour rate based on the coffee's grind size and your desired brew time. A finer grind might require a slower pour to prevent over-extraction.

4. Centered Pour:
- Keep the majority of your pouring at the center of the coffee bed, avoiding the edges. This promotes an even extraction and helps prevent channeling (uneven paths of water through the coffee bed).

5. Total Brew Time:
- The total brew time for a typical pour-over is usually around 2.5 to 3.5 minutes, depending on factors like coffee bean freshness, grind size, and desired strength.
- Adjust your pouring rate to achieve this target brew time. If the coffee brews too quickly, consider a finer grind or a slower pour.

6. Swirling the Dripper (Optional):
- Towards the end of the pour, you can gently swirl the dripper or give it a slight shake to ensure that all the coffee is evenly extracted.

7. Enjoy:
- Once the water has fully dripped through the coffee grounds, remove the dripper and enjoy your freshly brewed pour-over coffee!

Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to pouring technique. Experiment with different pour rates, patterns, and variables to fine-tune your method and discover the flavors you enjoy most.

Extraction and Brew Time:

Under-Extraction (Short Brew Time): Leads to weak, sour coffee with unbalanced flavors.

Optimal Extraction (Ideal Brew Time): Yields a balanced cup with sweetness, acidity, and nuanced flavors.

Over-Extraction (Extended Brew Time): Results in bitter, dry coffee lacking in complexity.

Strength and Intensity: Longer brew time increases strength, but balance is key for a satisfying cup.

Mastering brew time helps achieve the perfect balance between under-extraction and over-extraction, delivering a flavorful and well-rounded pour-over coffee.

Remember that we brew to our taste and what taste good to me might not taste good to my wife. But I don't want to get into that... The point is that we make adjustments to get to what we like and then it is a matter of doing it consistent every time. We know the equipment that is needed, the importance of getting fresh high quality coffee beans mainly from A-Typica Coffee Co., and we know the techniques to make a truly atypical cup of coffee.