Ask any coffee connoisseur and they’ll tell you that there are several methods to make the perfect cup, with pour-over and drip coffee being just two of many examples. Your choice between pour-over and drip coffee depends on taste, control, and convenience.
Both options brew a delicious cup of coffee, but they differ in technique and flavour profile. At the end of this guide, you’ll understand the difference between pour-over vs. drip coffee letting you decide which brewing style best fits your taste and lifestyle.
How to Prepare Pour-Over Coffee vs Drip Coffee
Pour-over Coffee
Pour-over coffee involves the manual process of pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter and collecting it as it slowly drips through. This allows the coffee’s natural flavours and aromas to accentuate giving you a clean, balanced, and delicious cup. Follow these simple steps to prepare:
- Grind the coffee - Use medium grounds. Too fine can cause bitterness while too coarse can taste weak.
- Set up the equipment - Place a paper filter in a dripper and rinse it with hot water.
- Add coffee grounds - Use 1 gram of coffee for every 15–17 grams of water.
- Pour water – With water just off the boil (ideally at 93 degrees) pour just enough to wet the grounds (“bloom”) and leave for 30-45 seconds to let gases escape. Continue to pour in slow, steady circles allowing it to drip through evenly.
- Serve and enjoy - Once the process has completed, remove the dripper and enjoy your freshly brewed pour-over coffee.
Drip Coffee
Unlike pour-over coffee, this classic method uses an automatic coffee maker to brew coffee by trickling hot water over ground coffee beans enveloped in a paper or reusable filter. Water slowly passes through the grounds, collecting flavour and aroma as it passes through. This method keeps things consistent and is ideal if you have multiple cups to brew. Follow these simple steps to prepare:
- Measure your coffee - Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water.
- Grind the coffee - Choose a medium grind, that’s fine enough for good extraction but coarse enough to avoid clogging the filter.
- Set up the equipment - Place a paper or mesh filter in the basket of your coffee maker.
- Add coffee grounds – Into the filter, place the measured coffee and level it out for even brewing.
- Add water - Fill the machine’s reservoir with cold, clean water.
- Start brewing - Turn on the coffee maker to heat the water which drips over the grounds at a controlled pace.
- Serve and enjoy - Once brewing is complete, pour and enjoy your hot, freshly brewed drip coffee.
The Difference Between Pour-over and Drip Coffee
Both drip and pour-over coffee produce excellent results, but which of them you choose depends on your lifestyle and taste preferences. Here is a clear overview highlighting their differences, giving you a better idea of which method is best for you.
- Brewing Method
- Drip Coffee: Automated and convenient.
- Pour-Over Coffee: Hands-on and customizable.
- Flavour and Quality
- Drip Coffee: Balanced and reliable.
- Pour-Over Coffee: Refined and aromatic.
- Control and Precision
- Drip Coffee: Limited control, but better for convenience.
- Pour-Over Coffee: Full control over all elements.
- Equipment and Effort
- Drip Coffee: Requires an electric coffee maker and filters; is easy and fast.
- Pour-Over Coffee: Needs a dripper, filter, kettle, and scale; is more artisanal and time consuming.
- Brew Time
- Drip Coffee: Usually 5–10 minutes.
- Pour-Over Coffee: Typically, 2.5–4 minutes.
Based on all of the above, which method do you prefer? To learn more, visit Inglewood Coffee Roasters today.