Specialty Coffee Pour Over Brewing Guide | Ember Specialty Coffee

Specialty Coffee Pour Over Brewing Guide | Ember Specialty Coffee

Specialty Coffee Pour Over: How to Brew Coffee Like a Pro

 

A guide to mastering the pour over, clarity, balance, and precision in every cup

 

The specialty coffee pour over method sits at the heart of modern brewing. It’s simple, intentional, and precise, a process that rewards care and patience. At Ember, we see pour over not just as a technique, but as an expression of craftsmanship: each movement revealing the unique character of every origin.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to brew pour over coffee like a pro, understand what makes this method so special, and discover how to elevate your daily ritual with the right tools, ratios, and rhythm.

 

Why choose pour over coffee

 

Pour over brewing offers clarity, control, and consistency. Unlike immersion methods, where coffee and water sit together, pour over allows water to flow gradually through the grounds, highlighting delicate flavours and aromas.

It’s a favourite across Specialty Coffee Australia, where attention to detail and respect for the bean are part of the culture. Whether you’re using an Origami dripper or a Hario V60, pour over brewing gives you the freedom to express your craft, from the grind size to the final pour.

 

The essentials: what you’ll need

 

Before starting, gather a few key tools:

  • Dripper: Origami, Hario V60, or Tsuki Usagi for a refined cup.

  • Filter: Hario paper filters for daily use — clean, consistent extraction.

  • Scale: Accuracy is everything. Measure both coffee and water precisely.

  • Kettle: A gooseneck design helps control flow and temperature.

  • Server or cup: A Hario V60 Server is ideal for single brews.

If you’re exploring premium beans, visit Ember’s where each roast is profiled to shine in filter methods like pour over.

The recipe: Ember’s signature pour over ratio

 

At Ember, we follow a balanced and transparent recipe designed for clarity and sweetness.

  • Dose: 15g of coffee

  • Water: 250g

  • Ratio: 1:16.6 (a classic balance between body and clarity)

  • Grind size: Medium-coarse

  • Water temperature: 95°C

Brewing steps

  1. Bloom - Add 30g of water (1:2 ratio) for 30 seconds to release gases.

  2. First pour - Gently pour until you reach 120g total.

  3. Second pour - Continue up to 190g.

  4. Final pour - Finish at 250g total, aiming for a total brew time of 3 minutes.

Each pour should be steady and circular, keeping the bed flat. Consistency is key, not speed.

Choosing the right coffee

The best coffee for pour over depends on what you want to highlight.

  • For floral and bright notes, try Ethiopian or Colombian Gesha.

  • For fruit-forward and exotic flavours, use the Tsuki Usagi dripper, it enhances the aromatic layers beautifully (read more).

  • For everyday balance, the Origami offers excellent control and airflow.

Each method shapes the final experience, from the crisp definition of the V60 to the gentle sweetness of the Tsuki Usagi.

 

Water and its quiet influence

 

In pour over brewing, water makes up 98% of your cup. It deserves as much attention as the coffee itself. Filtered or mineral-balanced water ensures a clean, transparent flavour. Slight variations in pH or mineral content can dramatically alter perception — especially with light roasts common in Specialty Coffee Australia.

Learn more about the science behind this in our Brewing Guide.

 

The ritual: why it matters

Brewing coffee is a tactile experience. The sound of the kettle, the bloom’s aroma, the slow pour, they all remind us to slow down. At Ember, we believe every pour over represents connection, care, and quiet luxury.

While tools and technique matter, it’s your focus that transforms coffee from habit into craft. When approached with intention, even a single cup can feel like a small ceremony, a moment that rewards patience with flavour and calm.

 

For the curious: origins and craftsmanship

Behind every great cup lies the work of dedicated farmers and roasters.
Explore the journey from soil to cup with insights into Colombian producers such as Buenavista, where altitude, climate, and care shape flavour at every step.

You can also read more about the broader history of drip coffee and its evolution from daily necessity to a cornerstone of modern specialty brewing.

 

Final thoughts

 

The pour over method captures what makes specialty coffee unique: clarity, patience, and respect for the process. Whether you’re exploring it for the first time or refining your craft, remember that every detail, from grind size to pour rhythm, influences the outcome.

As you brew, take a breath, slow down, and taste what intention can create.
That’s the heart of pour over, and it’s what we celebrate every day at Ember.