How to make filter coffee
Filter coffee: what it is and why we love it
Pour over cones can be made of ceramic, glass or plastic, and paired with a paper or metal filter. This kind of brewer can come in various shapes and sizes. Pour over brewers produce a clean, light-bodied and complex cup of coffee. This method is gentle, which allows the more delicate flavours of the coffee to shine through. It's an inexpensive way to start brewing great coffee at home, and it's easy to make a cup or two at a time. This is our go-to home brewing method!
What you'll need
– Filter cone
– Pour over filter paper
– Kettle (we recommend the Hario Buono Kettle for its precise pour)
– A jug to brew into (we love the Pitchii glass jugs)
– Scales and timer
Recipe
Makes one serve
– 16g coffee (roasted for filter)
– 500g water
– Total brew time: 3 minutes
– Grind size: medium (finer than a plunger grind and coarser than an espresso grind)
Steps
Start with at least ½ litre of fresh water and bring to the boil. While waiting for the water to boil, fold the paper filter along each seam, then open it and place inside the cone.
Weigh and grind your coffee.
Place the cone with filter paper on your jug. Pour some boiled water through to rinse the paper and warm the cone and jug. Once drained through, empty water from the jug into the sink.
Put your ground coffee in the filter-lined cone. Place the cone on top of your jug, and then place the entire set-up on the scales and tare to zero.
Start your timer and pour just enough boiling water to cover all the coffee, then leave the coffee to ‘bloom’ for about 30 seconds. You can bloom with about twice the weight of the coffee, so in this case, about 60-80g of water. This bloom period helps the coffee to de-gas and rearrange itself into an even bed, allowing for an even extraction.
Pour the rest of your water slowly, in a circular motion. Aim to add all your water (500g in total) just after 2 minutes; your brew should finish trickling through by approximately 3 minutes.
Give the brewed coffee a quick stir, and then pour and enjoy!
Hot tips
If you are making filter coffee for one, use 15g of coffee and 250g of water. We recommend making the grind a little finer, too.
If your brew is taking too long, try coarsening the grind or adding your water faster.
