If you’ve ever wondered how to make pour over coffee that rivals your favorite café, you’re in the right place. Pour over brewing is one of the most popular manual methods for specialty coffee because it produces a clean, flavorful cup that truly showcases the beans — especially high-quality Organic, Fairtrade coffee.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we believe coffee should taste amazing while also supporting farmers, sustainability, and community. This guide explains exactly how to brew pour over coffee using a proven method that consistently delivers outstanding results at home.  For that, we turn to Head Roaster, Coffee Director and all-around awesome guy James for some insights into how to make pour over coffee at home.  Or anywhere really if you have the tools and a can-do attitude!

Why Learn How to Make Pour Over Coffee?

Pour over coffee is beloved by home brewers and professionals alike because it offers unmatched control over extraction.

Benefits of pour over brewing include:

• Clean, crisp flavor clarity
• Full expression of origin characteristics
• Adjustable strength and body
• Minimal equipment
• A relaxing daily ritual

For high-quality Organic, Fairtrade beans, pour over brewing allows you to taste the care that went into growing and roasting the coffee.

Equipment Needed to Make Pour Over Coffee

For this tutorial, we use the Kalita Wave 185, a flat-bottom dripper known for consistency and balance.

You’ll need:

• Pour over dripper (Kalita Wave 185 recommended)
• Paper filter
• Fresh coffee beans
• Burr grinder
• Digital scale
• Gooseneck kettle
• Filtered water
• Timer
• Mug or server

Using the right equipment makes learning how to brew pour over coffee much easier and more consistent.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio for Pour Over

Precision is key when brewing pour over coffee.

Coffee: 30 grams
Water: 460 grams
Water temperature: 204°F (96°C)

This ratio produces a balanced cup that highlights sweetness, acidity, and body without overpowering bitterness.

Grind Size for Pour Over Coffee

Grind size plays a huge role in extraction.

Use a medium grind, similar to coarse sand.  Remember, these analogies to sand, salt, etc. are a reference point, not a hard truth.  Using #6 on a burr grinder is another good starting point as a reference. 

Why a burr grinder matters:

• Produces uniform particles
• Prevents over- and under-extraction
• Improves flavor clarity
• Ensures repeatable results

While blade grinders can be used, they offer a more inconsistent grind than burr grinders do.  Inconsistent grind can result in multiple taste and quality issues, which we’ll see later on.

How to Brew Pour Over Coffee: Standard Method

This method works beautifully for most of our coffees not of African origin, so think more our South and Central American coffees. 

Step 1: Prepare the Brewer

1. Place filter in dripper
2. Rinse filter with hot water (removes paper taste and preheated equipment)
3. Discard rinse water
4. Add 30 g ground coffee
5. Gently shake to level the coffee bed

A level bed ensures even extraction — essential when learning how to brew pour over coffee properly.

Step 2: Bloom the Coffee (0:00–0:30)

Start your timer.

Pour slowly in a circular motion from the center outward.

Stop at 80 grams of water.

Gently rock or swirl the brewer to fully saturate the grounds.

Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds. This releases carbon dioxide trapped during roasting and prepares the coffee for best extraction.

Step 3: Second Pour (0:30–0:45)

At 30 seconds:

• Pour again from center outward
• Maintain steady circular motion
• Pour until total water reaches 220 grams
• Complete in about 15 seconds

Let the coffee rest for 15 seconds.

Step 4: Third Pour (1:00–1:15)

At 1 minute:

• Repeat the pouring pattern
• Pour until total reaches 340 grams
• Finish in about 15 seconds

Let rest another 15 seconds.

Step 5: Final Pour (1:30)

At 1 minute 30 seconds:

• Begin final pour
• Move from center outward
• Stop at 460 grams total

Allow water to drain completely.

Low Agitation Method for Dense Coffees

Some coffees — especially many African beans such as our Ethiopia coffees — are very dense and can extract more intensely. A gentler method often produces better results.

Use this approach for Ethiopian, and other high-density coffees.

Steps:

1. Level coffee bed
2. Start timer
3. Pour to 80 grams
4. Gently rock to saturate grounds
5. Wait 30 seconds
6. Slowly pour continuously until reaching 460 grams

Pour more slowly than with the Standard Method to avoid disturbing the coffee bed too much and avoid overflowing. 

Ideal Brew Time for Pour Over Coffee

Your total brew time should fall between:

2:30 and 3:00 minutes

This window typically produces the most full flavor of coffee in a clean and clear way.

Too Fast (< 2:30)

Coffee may taste:

• Weak
• Very bright

Fix: Grind finer.

Too Slow (> 3:00)

Coffee may taste:

• Bitter
• Cloudy

Fix: Grind coarser.

Adjust grind size first when dialing in how to brew pour over coffee.

Which Pour Over Method Should You Use?

For most coffees:

✔ Use the Standard Method

Use for most of our coffees aside from the African coffees (South, Central America and others).

✔ Use the Low Agitation Method

Use for very dense coffees, such as our African coffees (such as our Ethiopia).

Tips for Brewing Better Pour Over Coffee

Use Fresh Coffee

Coffee tastes best within 2–4 weeks of roasting. Fresh Organic, Fairtrade beans provide the most vibrant flavors.  Just check the bottom of our bags for roast dates!

Use Filtered Water

Water makes a bigger difference than many first realize.  Since coffee is mostly water, mineral balance and purity matter.  Avoid distilled water as the absence of minerals negatively affects taste. 

Pour with Control

A gooseneck kettle allows precise pouring speed and direction, improving extraction consistency.  We’re all excited to get that next cup of coffee, but don’t rush it, follow the times listed above to build that next awesome cup!

Stay Consistent

Keep your technique steady from brew to brew.  Keep a notebook of things such as beans used, roast date, grind, water temperature, what kind of water and pour times.  Small changes can significantly affect flavor.  Give yourself grace to try new things and learn along the way as you work to brew that next awesome cup of coffee.

Adjust to Taste

Learning how to pour over coffee is part science, part art. Use this method as a foundation, then tweak based on your preferences.  Remember these are guidelines to serve as a starting point. 

Why Organic, Fairtrade Coffee Excels in Pour Over

Pour over brewing highlights the natural character of the beans — making sourcing incredibly important.

Organic, Fairtrade coffees often deliver:

• Distinct regional flavors
• Clean taste profiles
• Sustainable farming practices
• Ethical support for growers
• Traceability from farm to cup

This method allows you to fully appreciate the craftsmanship behind every bag.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning how to brew pour over coffee, watch out for these pitfalls:

• Using stale coffee
• Grinding unevenly
• Skipping the bloom
• Pouring too aggressively
• Not measuring ingredients
• Ignoring brew time

Correcting these can dramatically improve your results.

Final Sips: Mastering How to Make Pour Over Coffee

Brewing pour over coffee is both a skill and can provide you with a few moments of calm. With practice, you’ll produce consistently awesome cups that highlight the unique character of each coffee.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we roast our Organic, Fairtrade beans to shine in manual brewing methods like pour over — allowing you to experience coffee as it was meant to taste.

Take your time, experiment, and enjoy the process.  The coffee and the journey are both part of the reward.

Great coffee isn’t rushed — it’s crafted.

Brew Better Coffee with Philly Fair Trade Roasters

Whether you’re just starting your pour over journey or refining your technique, we’re here to help with carefully sourced coffees and guidance every step of the way.

Here’s to better mornings — and a good day to have a good day. ☕