Mastering the V60: The Simple Guide to Sweet, Balanced Coffee
Have you given up on your V60 dripper, banishing it to the back of your cupboard in frustration? It’s time to dust it off because I’m here to show you how to create sweet, balanced, and vibrant pour-over coffee—no bitterness, no sourness, just perfection. Whether you’re a coffee novice or an experienced brewer, this simple method will revolutionize your V60 game.
What You’ll Need. Before we dive in, let’s gather our tools:
1. V60 Dripper: Size two, preferably plastic for beginners.
2. Filter: Hario paper filters or a reusable cloth filter (environmentally friendly!).
3. Freshly Ground Coffee: A sweet, fruity medium-roast, such as organic Sumatran.
4. Filtered Water: Clean, fresh, and ready to brew.
5. Digital Scales: To measure your coffee and water accurately.
6. Kettle: A gooseneck kettle is ideal, but a standard one works with a small hack.
7. A Jug: A pointed spout jug (like a milk jug) for controlled pouring.
Step-by-Step Brewing Guide
1. Prep Your Equipment
- Insert your filter into the V60 and rinse with hot water to eliminate any paper taste.
- Use the rinse water to preheat the dripper, jug, and mug.
- Discard the rinse water before brewing.
2. Weigh and Grind Your Coffee
- Measure 20g of coffee using digital scales.
- Grind your beans to a medium consistency—similar to table salt or sugar.
- Not sure about your grinder settings? Aim for a setting between French press and espresso grind.
3. The Perfect Pour
It’s time to brew! Follow this step-by-step process for optimal flavor extraction:
1. Bloom (First Pour)
- Add 50g of water to the coffee grounds.
- Start in the center and pour gently outward in circles.
- Let the coffee bloom for 25 seconds as the gases release.
2. Second Pour
- Add 100g of water, starting in the center and moving outward.
- Saturate all the grounds evenly, reaching about halfway up the dripper.
- Wait 30-45 seconds for the water to pass through.
3. Third Pour
- Add another 100g of water and give the dripper a gentle swirl.
- This distributes the grounds and ensures even extraction.
4. Fourth Pour
- Finish with 50g of water, aiming for a total brew weight of 300g.
Pro Tips for Success
- Adjust Your Grind Size: If the water drips too quickly, grind finer. If it drips too slowly, grind coarser.
- Water Temperature: Use water just off the boil (around 92-96°C).
- Swirl vs. Stir: Swirling is gentler on the filter and helps distribute grounds evenly.
Why This Method Works
This brewing technique combines elements from renowned coffee experts:
- Tetsu Kasuya’s Recipe: Balanced water distribution for vibrant flavor.
- James Hoffmann’s Pre-Pour Poke: Encourages a more even bloom.
- Gentle Swirl: Prevents over-compacting grounds for optimal extraction.
The result? A sweet, vibrant, and perfectly balanced cup of pour-over coffee. Once you’ve mastered this method, brewing with a V60 will feel effortless.
Happy Brewing!
