Why Pour Over?
The pour over brewing method was invented in 1908 by German entrepreneur Melitta Bentz. However, it is possible that the pour over method has been around for longer than that, but only in local communities. For example, many coffee farm communities brew pour over coffee using a sock. It is difficult to know how long this method has been used. Before discussing what pour over coffee is, it is useful to provide some context.
A Brief (Modern) History of Pour Over Coffee
Specialty coffee shops really kicked off the third wave coffee movement in the early 2000s. Before that, coffee was mostly overshadowed by the french press. But what made specialty coffee shops so special was the theater of making the coffee. Watching your cup being made from start to finish was a whole experience, and the clean and balanced flavor extraction was unmatched. Thanks for everything, specialty coffee!
You might be surprised to learn that people are now approaching their coffee the same way they approach wine. They taste it, savor it, and discuss it with friends. This new trend began in hipster coffee shops in places like the Mission district of San Francisco, where pour over coffee became popular. And because this new type of coffee was seen as cooler than regular coffee, it started selling for $5-$7 per cup. So next time you’re enjoying a cup of pour over coffee, remember that you’re part of a cool trend. Thanks for everything, coffee!
What Is Pour Over Coffee?
Pour over coffee is a brewing method whereby hot water is poured over coffee grounds in a filter. The water seeps through the coffee and filter, ending up in a mug or carafe. This process results in a cup of coffee that has a very clean taste. Pour over coffee became popular as drinkers appreciated its ability to produce different flavors, as opposed to the singular flavor of french press coffee. Thanks to pour over coffee, people can now enjoy a variety of different tastes in their cup of joe.
How Is Pour Over Coffee Different From Other Ways to Brew Coffee?
Pour over is a brewing method that uses hot water to extract the flavor from coffee grounds. The advantage of pour over brewing is that it produces a cleaner cup of coffee because the coffee grounds are filtered out.
As long as your filter catches coffee solids and prevents them from entering the cup, it can be considered a pour over. This includes using a sock or piece of cloth, as long as the material can withstand hot water. There are various types of filter materials available on the market.
Pour Over vs Drip
Flavor
Pour over: Pour overs tend to create more flavor than regular drip coffee because of the differences in the brewing process. Because it takes longer to brew pour over coffee, the water has more time to extract flavors and oils from the coffee grounds. This results in a more flavorful and robust cup of coffee.
Drip coffee: If you use the same ratio of coffee grounds to water, you’ll get the same taste every time. Drip coffee is also strong and bold, but it may have a simpler, smoother flavor.
Consistency & Control
Pour over: This brewing method gives you complete control over the brewing process, from grind size and saturation to water flow and temperature, allowing you to produce a wide range of coffee types, tastes and textures. However, this also makes it more difficult to produce consistent results, as even slight differences in measurements and ratios can result in a completely different drink. If you’re looking for reliability, this may not be the best method for you.
Drip coffee: Drip coffee machines are great for people who want consistent results every time. They control all of the variables like pour speed, water temperature or brew time, so you don’t have to worry about making a mistake. Thanks, drip coffee maker!
