Brewing the perfect, cafe-like cup of Pour Over coffee at home is not an impossible feat. With patience and precision, you can enjoy delectable cups of Pour Over coffee any time you like.
However, even the most seasoned coffee enthusiasts encounter occasional hiccups in their brewing process. This may include a sour taste or over-extraction, these common problems can potentially turn your morning ritual into a frustrating experience.
So, in this article, we will address the common errors made while brewing Pour Over and offer clear, practical solutions to them. This way, you can be sure to brew the perfect cup of Pour Over coffee every time.
1. Sour Taste
The Problem: If your brew tastes sour, it is usually a sign of under-extraction. This means that the water has not had enough time to extract the desirable flavours from the coffee grounds.
The Fix:
- Adjust Your Grind Size: If your coffee grounds are too coarse, the water might pass through them too quickly. Try a finer grind to slow down the extraction process.
- Increase Brew Time: Make sure to brew the coffee for about 2 to 3 minutes. If it is too short, try pouring the coffee more slowly.
- Check Water Temperature: The water should be anywhere between 90°C to 96°C. If the water is too cool, the flavours can not be extracted properly.
2. Bitter Taste
The Problem: A bitter taste indicates over-extraction. This means, the water has spent too much time in contact with the coffee grounds. As a result, the water has pulled out undesirable flavours.
The Fix:
- Coarsen Your Grind: If the grind is too fine, it can cause over-extraction. Try a coarser grind to speed up the water flow.
- Shorten Brew Time: The ideal brew time is anywhere between 2 to 3 minutes. So, aim to complete the pouring within this time period. If it is too long, pour faster.
3. Weak or Watery Coffee
The Problem: Weak or watery coffee usually means that the brew ratio (coffee-to-water ratio) is off or the grounds are under-extracted.
The Fix:
- Use the Right Brew Ratio: A standard ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 (1 gram of coffee to 15-17 grams of water). You can, however, adjust to taste.
- Check Your Grind Size: If the grind is too coarse, try a finer setting to allow for better extraction.
- Ensure Proper Bloom: Allow your coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds to release the trapped carbon dioxide. If not done correctly, it can prevent proper extraction.
4. Lack of Flavours
The Problem:
Pour Over, of all the brewing techniques promises the most delicate of coffee flavours. If you notice a lack of nuanced flavours in your cup, there may be channelling issues. This occurs when water finds a path of least resistance through the coffee bed.
Here, the water passes through only that particular path and not through the entire coffee bed. As a result, it can lead to uneven extraction that lacks flavours.
The Fix:
- Ensure Even Grounds Distribution: Shake or tap the coffee dripper gently after adding the grounds to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- Refine Your Pouring Technique: Pour in a slow and circular motion. Start from the centre and gently move outwards, then back to the centre. Avoid pouring directly onto the filter walls or only in the centre.
- Use Fresh Coffee: Older coffee grounds tend to clump more, leading to channelling. So, it is advisable to use fresh coffee beans and grind them just before brewing.
5. Coffee Grounds in the Cup
The Problem: Although a rare issue, you may find coffee grounds in your cup of Pour Over coffee. This can be an unpleasant experience, especially as you reach the end of your cup.
The Fix:
- Check Your Filter: Ensure the filter is properly fitted and not damaged. For cone-shaped filters, make sure the seam is correctly folded.
- Pour Carefully: When pouring, ensure to be slow and avoid disturbing the grounds too much. Also, ensure the water level does not rise too high above the grounds, which can cause them to spill over the edges of the filter.
- Check Your Grinder: If your grinder produces too many fines (tiny coffee particles), consider investing in a better burr grinder or fixing the one you use.
Final Takeaway
Given the hands-on nature of the brewing method, Pour Over promises some of the most delightful coffees one can ever try. Through this method, you can yield incredibly nuanced flavours and enjoy the original flavours of the coffee beans to the fullest.
So, do not let small errors discourage you from making Pour Over coffee. Some brewing blunders can be frustrating, but as we see above, they are fixable and most certainly, enjoyable!
Click here to learn more about Pour Over brewing.
