In a recent move to an apartment with an itty bitty kitchen, I have made the decision to forgo putting in our Keurig coffee pot I always hated.

I am a perpetual morning (and sometimes afternoon) commute coffee stopper. If there’s coffee to be had, I will be having it.

My years of pulling coffee professionally leave me longing for a full espresso bar of my own. But, alas, spending upwards of $1,000 is not in the cards right now. Additionally, I really don’t have the space right now.

As a registered coffeeholic and caffeine addict, going without coffee just wasn’t an option. So, without an espresso bar or a Keurig, I’ve turned to my French press and, more recently, my pour over.

Take it from me, with three years of barista experience, once you try pour-over coffee, you’ll never go back to drip! The ease, convenience, and taste makes the perfect trifecta!

A Little About Pour-Over Coffee

Pour-over coffee, or “hand-brewed” coffee, was invented in 1908 by German entrepreneur and coffee-enthusiast, Melitta Bentz.

It’s made by hand pouring coffee grinds in a filter to extract coffee in a steady stream resulting in a more controlled, complex coffee flavor with little bitterness.

Three Phases of Pour-Over Coffee

Phase 1: Wetting

Carbon dioxide gas is released from coffee grinds when hot water touches grinds. When grinds get wet, they expand and become what’s called a “bloom.”

Phase 2: Dissolution

When the grinds are fully wetted, the hot water dissolves the solubles in the coffee grinds.

Phase 3: Diffusion

Dissolved solubles are transported through the filter via strong osmosis pressure and collected into a highly concentrated chamber (the pot).

In other words, hot water is poured over the coffee grinds and travel through the filter to create a concentrated coffee!

How to Make Pour-Over Coffee

Step 1: Heating the Water

Pour about one liter of water into your kettle. Begin heating water to about 195-205 degrees, or just before a boil.

Step 2: Preparing the Coffee Beans

While the water is heating, grind coffee beans. About 60 grams, or about 4 tablespoons, should be ground for every liter of water.

Step 3: Preparing the Grinds

Add coffee grinds to the coffee filter and made a small divot in the center of the grinds. This divot will be used to pour the water into.

Step 4: First Pour

Into the divot, pour just enough water to wet all the grinds. Let the coffee rest for 30 seconds.

Step 5: Brewing

Continue pouring over grinds in a slow circular motion for about 1 minute. Let coffee brew for about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Enjoying!

Remove coffee grind filter and dispose of grinds. Pour coffee into your favorite mug and drink as desired.

Pro Tip: Use artisanal coffee from a local coffee shop or coffee roaster. Google “Specialty Coffee Rosters (insert your state)” to find one near you! In Vermont, 802 Coffee is one of my favorites!

 My favorite thing about pour over coffee is how second nature it becomes! It is only as complicated as you make it!

I almost never measure with my scale anymore because I boil just over a liter of water and its perfect every time! Measure with your heart and trust your gut!

You got this!

You might also like:

• Your New Favorite Iced Coffee
• Homemade Chocolate Powdered Coffee Creamer
• Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup Recipe

-Kayden