When you think of coffee filters, does the name Melitta come to mind? Not only is Melitta the name of the most popular coffee filters, but it is also the name of Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz, the German female entrepreneur who invented the pour-over brewing method in 1908.
A housewife at the time, Melitta Bentz was dissatisfied with the coffee brewing methods of her day. She disliked the lack of flavor and didn't like how brewing methods left grounds in her coffee.
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Bentz eventually perfected a coffee filter using her son's blotting paper as a prototype. (Source: Wikipedia). Hence, the Melitta coffee filter business was born.
Pour-over coffee is a hand-brewing method where coffee is put into a cone-shaped paper filter and placed into a filter holder or pour-over set. Then, the filter holder is placed on top of a coffee cup, mug, or carafe, after which hot water is poured over the coffee grounds in a circular motion in a small, steady stream. (Alton Brown recommends a brewing temperature of 207 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Stagg makes an outstanding pour-over water heater that allows you to control the temperature. The pour spout is perfect for pouring slowly around the brim of the filter.
As the water enters the coffee grounds, it travels slowly through the grounds to brew them, and freshly brewed coffee drips out of the bottom and into your cup.
The process takes only a few minutes. However, depending on the size of your coffee cup, you may need to replenish the hot water as it filters through—this is why it helps to pour the water in a circular motion slowly—it helps settle the grounds to the bottom of the filter.
The pour-over coffee ratio that we recommend is 1-1.5 tablespoons (1 tablespoon is approximately 14.3 grams) of coffee for every 8 ounces of water. Adjust accordingly to taste.
If this pour-over coffee recipe sounds easy, it is!
Pour-over coffee became all the rage until the French press was invented in 1929. But today, pour-over has regained popularity for many reasons:
Taste: Because the coffee grounds are removed immediately after brewing, there is no bitterness. And because the brewing process is slow and steady, the flavor profile is richer and more complex.
Diversity and speed: Let's say you have company for dinner. Everyone wants a cup of regular coffee except a guest who wants decaf. You can use the pour-over method to make a perfect single cup. Coffee houses also use this trick when customers need coffee served faster than a pot can brew.
Zen: Pour-over coffee can be a meditative experience. Pouring the water, listening to the sound, smelling the aroma, and being in the moment with the coffee—this experience is intensely pleasurable for many coffee lovers.
Travel: Many hotel rooms have pods or inferior bagged coffee in the room, which is convenient but not preferred by coffee lovers. And lobby coffee usually isn’t much better.
While on the road, pack for pour-over! You’ll need coffee, coffee filters, a pour-over cone, and a mug—very little space is required in packing, and you'll have gourmet coffee at your fingertips.
If you have access to a microwave at your hotel, use it to heat the water, and you're ready to make a great cup of coffee quickly. Pour-over is particularly handy in a hotel if you don't feel like calling room service or going to the lobby for coffee. If you like, you can also pack a water heater.
Check out this all-in-one pour-over travel set or if you want something less bulky, try this travel, camping, pour-over mug.
Health: Cafestol is a compound in coffee that can raise cholesterol. However, a coffee filter, which is almost always used in the pour-over method, helps remove cafestol.
No Heavy Metals: Many coffee makers have heavy metals inside that come in contact with the coffee. With the pour-over method, the only thing that comes into direct contact with the coffee is the filter. There are also stainless steel and porcelain filters available.
Easy to Clean: Unlike a French press, which can take a little longer to clean, pour-over makes things fast and easy. If you use a pour-over disposable coffee filter, all you do is throw the filter away and rinse your cone.
As with electric brewed coffee, no particular coffee is recommended for a pour-over; use your favorite and enjoy.
As always, we use our favorite Custom Roast Coffee because it is the best fresh ground coffee we’ve found and is the best coffee for pour-over. Choose whole beans and grind your own or purchase ground coffee. There's free shipping with orders over $50, along with an optional subscription program that saves 22%.
Rocket Fuel: Five times the caffeine of traditional coffee but smooth with no bitterness.
Dark Roast: If you want to use the roast most recommended for a French press, then dark roast is for you.
Light Roast: Light roast coffee packs a flavor into a cup. If you haven't read our article, take a look. You'll learn that light roast doesn't mean delicate taste. Every coffee fan should give the light roast a try.
Medium Roast: Medium roast is always popular and pleases most coffee lovers. It's always a good idea to have a medium roast on hand when you entertain since it makes almost everyone happy—if it's a freshly-roasted, fabulous blend, of course).
Espresso: If you love espresso, try it in a French press to get espresso flavor in a less-condensed cup. And, be sure to read our article on espresso [insert link]. It's an entertaining, informative read.
Decaf: Decaf in a French press? Absolutely! Custom Roast Coffee uses the Swiss Water process with no shortcuts or harsh chemicals. Give it a try. If you prefer some caffeine, choose
Half-Caf. Fabulous flavors! Custom Roast Coffee also has rich, creamy, full-bodied flavored coffee—comfort food in a cup. Choose from Pralines & Cream, Highlander Grogg, or Butter Rum. Yum.
We hope you’ll also enjoy our other blog posts as you enjoy your coffee. Thank you for visiting CoffeeLovers.com.