How to Make Pour Over Coffee

Pour Over Coffee Guide

Brewed by hand, one cup at a time, the pour over is as much ritual as method. This hands-on approach slows the brewing process, inviting focus and intention while allowing every nuance of the coffee to shine. That clarity of flavor is why pour over coffee remains the iconic brew method of our cafes — and our favorite way to bring a cafe-quality taste to your home-brewing.

Follow these pour over coffee instructions to brew like a Blue Bottle Coffee barista with consistency and precision.

Brew Time

2:30–3:30 minutes

Grind Size

Medium

Coffee Dose

20–27 g

Water

350 g

What You’ll Need

Blue Bottle Coffee Filters

Blue Bottle Coffee Dripper

Blue Bottle Mug

Acaia Pearl Scale

Pour Over Instructions

How to Brew a Pour Over from Blue Bottle Coffee on Vimeo

1. Heat Your Water
   Heat at least 350 g water to 195–205ºF.
   Water temperature plays a critical role in extraction: darker roasts brew best on the cooler end of this range, while lighter roasts benefit from hotter water to fully extract their bright, complex flavors.

2. Grind Your Coffee
   Grind your coffee to a medium grind.
   This grind size allows for steady water flow and even extraction, preventing bitterness while maintaining balance and clarity in the final cup.

3. Bloom the Grounds
   Add your coffee to the filter resting inside your dripper, then gently shake to level the bed. Start your timer and scale at zero. Beginning in the center of the grounds, pour in a controlled spiral — three laps outward, then three laps inward — until you reach 50 g on the scale.
   Aim to complete this bloom pour in 10 seconds. This step releases trapped gases and sets the foundation for even extraction.

4. Begin Your First Pour
   At 40 seconds, return to the center of the coffee grounds and pour in a smooth spiral: five laps out, then five laps back in. Continue pouring until the scale reaches 150 g, finishing the pour in about 10 seconds.
   This stage builds body and balance in your pour over coffee.

5. Begin Your Second Pour
   At 1:10, repeat the same spiral technique — five laps out, five laps in — until you reach 250 g on the scale.
   Maintain a steady flow and aim to finish within 10 seconds to keep extraction consistent.

6. Begin Your Final Pour
   At 1:40, begin your final spiral pour from the center, again moving five laps outward and five laps inward. Pour until the scale reads 350 g, completing the pour in 10 seconds.
   This final addition rounds out sweetness and depth.

7. Wait for the Finished Cup
   Allow all the water to pass through the dripper into the carafe. Total brew time will vary depending on coffee, roast level, and grind size, but typically falls between 2:30 and 3:30 minutes.
   Patience here ensures a clean, fully developed cup.

8. Enjoy
   Pour your finished pour over coffee into your favorite mug and enjoy. If you brewed directly into a mug, give it a gentle stir before drinking to ensure even flavor from first sip to last.