How to Brew Handmade Pour-Over Coffee Step-by-Step

Making great pour-over coffee at home isn’t about guesswork. It’s about doing each step—folding the filter, measuring your coffee, controlling water flow, and timing the brew—right. Whether you're using a V60 or similar dripper, these steps help extract clarity, sweetness, and balance without overcomplicating the process.

The standard method uses 12g coffee per 120–150ml water for one cup, bloomed at 85°C with a slow initial pour, followed by structured pours to fully extract flavour. Total brew time is around 2–3 minutes depending on pour control.

Why Filter Folding Matters

Before brewing, fold your paper V60 filter along its seams in the opposite direction of the built-in fold. This creates a stable fit against the dripper wall, minimising paper taste and ensuring even water flow. Proper alignment helps prevent bypass and promotes an even saturation across all coffee grounds.

The Coffee-to-Water Ratio You Should Use

For one person, use 12g of medium-ground coffee with 120–150ml water. For two people, use 20g coffee with 300ml water. For three, use 30g coffee with 450ml water. These ratios are optimised for clarity and balance in a typical pour-over setup, particularly when using a V60 dripper.

Step-by-Step: The Three-Pour Pour-Over Method

1. First Pour – The Bloom

Start by pouring hot water at 85°C over the coffee bed. Begin from the centre and move in a slow circle to wet all the grounds. Let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds—this releases trapped CO₂ and prepares the grounds for even extraction.

2. Second Pour – The ‘@’ Motion

After the bloom, pour again in a controlled motion starting from the centre and spiralling outward, then back toward the middle—similar to writing an “@” symbol. Avoid pouring too much water too fast. This stage begins the main extraction.

3. Third Pour – The ‘の’ Motion

When the coffee surface shows a slight dip, pour in a repeating “の” pattern 2–3 times. This ensures even saturation and completes the extraction cycle. Total brew time should land between 2–3 minutes for best results.

When to Stop the Brew

Once you’ve poured the full amount of water for your brew size, remove the dripper while some water may still remain in the upper chamber. Letting all the water fully drain can lead to over-extraction, resulting in unwanted bitterness or astringency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What water temperature should I use for pour-over coffee?

Use water at 85°C for this standard method. This temperature balances extraction of acids, sugars, and bitterness for a clean and well-rounded cup.

How much coffee and water should I use per person?

For one person: 12g coffee and 120–150ml water. For two: 20g coffee and 300ml water. For three: 30g coffee and 450ml water. These are the ratios outlined in the guide for balanced flavour.

Why should I bloom the coffee first?

Blooming—pouring a small amount of hot water over the grounds and letting it sit for 30 seconds—releases CO₂ trapped in freshly ground coffee. This step improves extraction uniformity and enhances aroma.

What does the ‘@’ and ‘の’ pouring mean?

The ‘@’ motion describes spiralling outward from the centre and back in during the second pour. The ‘の’ motion refers to a repeated left-to-right-to-centre pouring pattern in the third stage to ensure full saturation and even extraction.

Can I let all the water drain completely before removing the dripper?

No. Removing the dripper while some water remains in the brew chamber is recommended. Letting all water drain fully can over-extract the coffee, leading to bitterness or dryness.

Best FrontStreet Coffee Beans for V60 Pour-Over

For hand drip brewing with a V60, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright berry and citrus notes with a juicy body—perfect for highlighting the clarity of pour-over. Their Strawberry Candy Espresso, though an espresso roast, also performs wonderfully as a single origin pour-over with sweet strawberry and candy-like acidity. For a more floral and tea-like profile, try Gedeb, which highlights delicate jasmine and stone fruit notes. All three beans shine when brewed with precision and a medium grind. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.