What Is The Best Coffee Pour Over Ratio?

Coffee pot traditionalists, espresso lovers, and French press experts- step into a new brew method of choice: The Pour Over Method! With many reasons to love this brewing technique, it still leaves a few questions, including what is the best coffee pour over ratio?

In order to wholeheartedly appreciate all that the pour-over method has to offer, one first has to understand the proper way to execute this method. But don't worry! Good Cuppa Coffee has got you covered because we want you always to enjoy, well, a Good Cuppa Coffee.

We've broken down the basics of the pour-over method and given you step-by-step instructions on how to brew it yourself at home.

So, get ready for some fantastic morning coffee that doesn't need much time or effort to create.

What Is Unique About The Pour Over Method?

The pour-over method is a fantastic way to get a more luxurious cup of coffee. It's unique because it allows you to control the water temperature and grind size while also allowing you to adjust the steep time of your grounds. This will give you more creative freedom when taste-testing different flavors.

Compared to other brewing methods, pour-over coffee brings out the intricate flavors of the beans more prominently. This results in a more developed, layered flavor and a cup of coffee that is more balanced.

Speaking of flavor, which type of coffee flourishes best using this brewing technique?

Which Coffee Is Best When Used With The Pour Over Technique?

Single-origin coffee beans are the ideal coffee beans to use with the pour-over method.

Single-origin coffee beans have distinct flavor profiles and are often more robust from their particular regions. Unlike a blend, which contains beans from various lands to balance and mellow out flavors, single-origin coffees are often brighter and have a touch more of a floral, earthy, citrusy, or fruity note. 

For example, our Costa Rican Tarrazu Coffee Beans are very light and clean with a soft hint of sweetness. Milk chocolate flavors linger on your palate with each sip while orange, peach, and the slightest nutty taste emerge on your taste buds.

Our Antigua Guatemala Coffee Beans are full of fruit flavors with smoky and nutty undertones.

By using these beans in tandem with the pour-over brew method, you'll find these innate and unique flavors brought to life and shine through to their fullest potential! 

With that covered, it's time to cover the all-important question: what is the best coffee pour over ratio?

What Is The Best Ratio For Pour Over Coffee?

You'll find a vast array of opinions on this because coffee is genuinely subjective; however, if you're starting off, your best bet is to follow coffee's Golden Ratio of 1:17 (one gram of coffee to 17 grams of water) as the best ratio for pour-over coffee.

Some will say 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, or 1:18 is the best ratio, and we won't say they're wrong either! Because everyone's taste, palate, and preferences are different, these ratios may be the best for them.

But we're not worried about what is best for everyone. We want YOU to find your Good Cuppa Coffee, which means you might want to play around a little every time you brew until you find what is best for you.

Nonetheless, the Golden Ratio is called this for a reason- it will produce a quality cuppa and is an average standard for not getting "muddy" or "watery" coffee. You may find that altering the ratio to 1:16 or 1:18 may appease your palate even more by providing a stronger or a tad weaker cuppa, just suitable for your mornings or afternoons.

Note: If you do not measure by grams, here's a tip: for a 1:17 ratio, use two level tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water.

Pour Over Coffee Ratio 12 Oz

Noting that the ideal starting coffee pour over ratio is 1:17, if you want to make 12 ounces of brewed pour-over coffee, you would need 4 level tablespoons of coffee for the 12 ounces of water used.

How To Pour Over Coffee

A ratio of coffee to water is only good to know if you also know the steps to brew this coffee. We have simple and well-versed steps outlined below to make brewing your coffee with the pour-over method foolproof!

Assuming you have all your tools (coffee dripper brewer, freshly ground coffee, filtered water, filter, mug, etc.), gather everything together and place the brewer over your mug with the filter in the brewer. Now, to step number 1:

• Boil clean filtered water to around 205 degrees. Since water boils at 212, you'll want to immediately remove the water once it boils (keep a close eye) and let it cool for 30 seconds to a minute before use.

• While your water is approaching a boil, freshly grind your coffee. Freshly grinding allows the flavors and oils of the coffee to extract and infuse fully into the water. If you grind too early, like days in advance, the grinds oxidize and age becoming stale and less flavorful. 

The grind size you want for pour-over coffee is a medium to medium-coarse grind. (This is another aspect you can alter as you brew to find which grind size you like best.)

• Now that your hot water is ready, rinse your filter without any coffee inside. This helps the filter to stick to the dripper, warms the brewer, and removes any "filtery" taste. Dump the water that has poured into your mug.

• Add the appropriate amount of freshly ground coffee to the filter.

• It's time for your Bloom Pour. Saturate your grounds with hot water using about twice as much water as grounds. Stir it gently and wait 30-45 seconds for you to watch your coffee 'bloom.’

• Once this is complete, slowly and in a spiral motion, pour the remaining water around the coffee grinds in your filter and watch the coffee drip into your mug or pot. This could take anywhere between 2 and 4 minutes.

Vóila! Your brew is complete! Jazz up your coffee with any creamers and sweeteners, or drink in its purest form- black!

The steps are simple, and the coffee turns out delicious, but don't forget to enjoy the process in the meantime. 

Test the waters by alternating the temperature of the water, the grind size you use, and how long you pour over the grinds. This gives you complete control for creating your perfect cup of coffee. But remember, only make one adjustment at a time. You want to pinpoint precisely which factors you like and which ones you don't.

Takeaways

The pour-over method is a popular way to make coffee due to its simplicity, delicious taste, and the ability for individuals to customize their brew with minor adjustments. It is known for creating a cuppa potent in flavor as it draws out the distinctive taste of the individual beans used.

The ideal coffee pour over ratio for making a great cup of pour-over coffee is 1:17. You can also view it like this: for every 6 ounces of water, use two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee.

If you follow the steps outlined above, have the right equipment, and a fantastic roast, you'll brew a delicious cup of pour-over coffee in no time! Have fun with the brewing process, and feel free to adjust the grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature, or how long you pour to customize your perfect cup.

Try our single-origin coffee beans for a surefire way to hit the mark with your first pour-over experience! 

Happy pouring!