The Final Pour Over by Alton Brown

Pour over
This recipe has come a long way in 20 years, but a few simple facts remain the same: coffee beans and water are ingredients, brewing is cooking, and just as you’d respect that fact in the case of a steak or a chocolate cake, so should you when something really important is on the line.

- Alton Brown

Parameters

Ground coffee
30 g
Water temperature
97 °C
Grind size
Medium
Brew time
3 mins
Amount of water
420 mL

Equipment

V60-02 Dripper
02 compatible Hario filters
Carafe
Digital Scale
Cup
Kettle
Timer

Preparation

1

Heat the water to 97°C. If you have a digitally controlled, electric kettle, this should be simple. If your kettle is old-school, bring the water to a boil, then let it sit off the heat for 30 seconds before using.

2

You only need 420 grams of water (same as millilitres where water is concerned) for the brew process, so when the water is hot use a small amount to warm your carafe and your mug or glass. (I like to drink out of Gibraltar-style glass, often used by coffee shops for serving cortados.) Dump the carafe after a few moments but leave the water in the glass until you’re ready to serve.

3

Place your carafe on a digital scale and install the filter of your choice, either paper or metal. Add the coffee, then zero out or tare the scale. Slowly pour 60 grams of the water evenly over the grounds and allow the grounds to bloom for 45 seconds. (Return the kettle to its base to reheat during this time.)

4

After the bloom, slowly add water to the coffee grounds in a circular motion, pausing as needed to not overflow the filter, until the scale reads 420 grams (including the bloom water). If you’ve got your grind right, this shouldn’t take less than 3 minutes or more than 3 1/2.

5

Dump the warm water from the glass or mug, refill with coffee, and consume. And no, you don’t need sugar or cream. Seriously, give it a chance.