Pour over coffee tastes better due to the flavor the brewing process produces. Because it takes a little bit longer than drip or espresso, it accentuates all the intricate hints and notes of any given bean. The water has more time to pull the oils and aroma from the grounds with a resulting cup of coffee that tastes great.
But, there’s an art to making a fabulous cup of pour over coffee simply because of the manual way in which you have to brew it. Therefore, pour over isn’t for everyone; especially those who tend to be zombies before they get their caffeine boost. But, if you appreciate a high-quality specialty coffee, then pour over the is the way to go.
Does Pour Over Taste Better than Drip Coffee?
Pour over is better tasting than drip coffee because you control the temperature and the brewing conditions. In a drip coffee maker, the water will always be a balmy 205°F. Here, it forces super hot water through the grounds. Depending on the bean, this has the potential to burn and scald the grounds.
When such a thing happens, this means it can produce a bitter and acidic tasting cup of coffee you weren’t exactly looking for. With a pour over method, you can lower the temperature and pour the water over the grounds slowly. This means you get all the good flavors from the bean that won’t be off putting.
Does Pour Over Taste Better than Espresso?
It’s difficult to compare espresso to pour over because it really depends on your personal preferences. Espresso provides that nice crema and the compacted grounds come into contact with hot water, but for a very brief period of time. Both pour over and espresso are excellent ways to have a cup of coffee.
That said, pour over will provide a smoother, cleaner and crisper cup. Espresso gives a little more mouthfeel and texture. But, you get to make many more fun café-style blended coffee drinks with espresso more than pour over.
Does Pour Over Taste Better than Coffee from an AeroPress?
Pour over coffee tastes better than what comes out of an AeroPress because of the materials each comprise. Most pour over devices are 100% glass or ceramic whereas an AeroPress only comprises BPA-free plastics and silicone rubber.
While an AeroPress does provide a nice, clean cup, there are some users that report a plastic flavor to the coffee. But, an AeroPress does make the coffee brewing process much faster and more convenient.
Does Pour Over Taste Better than French Press Coffee?
If you like a thick, textured coffee with oils completely exposed in your cup, then you won’t think a pour over will taste better. In this case, the French press will be your prime choice. But, pour over coffee removes the strong, bitter taste that the French press method tends to produce.
This is because of the use of a paper filter with a pour over device. The fine metal mesh filter attached to the plunger of a French press doesn’t absorb all the terpenes and other cholesterol-raising chemicals in the same way. Therefore, a pour over coffee will be much smoother, taste more pure and be healthier.
What Does a Typical Cup of Coffee Taste Like from a Pour Over?
When you use a good, single-origin specialty coffee, particularly 100% Arabica, it will taste clean, crisp, smooth and lowly acidic. The taste of nuts, chocolate, cocoa and fruit will be evident along with any other hints promoted by the roaster of the beans. This can include floral, citrus or berries along with any wine, brandy or other similar notes.
What Makes Pour Over Coffee Better?
There are three aspects to pour over coffee that does tend to make it better than other brewing processes. These are the use of a paper filter, temperature control and the slow pour of water over the grounds.
Paper Filter
In regards to the paper filter, it absorbs the heavy oils and prevents sediment from getting into your cup. The resulting brew is a light, clean and purer tasting coffee. It allows for the aroma to go into your cup while removing all the stuff you don’t want.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is the other aspect that makes pour over better. Most automatic machines like drip and espresso use a set temperature predetermined by the engineering of the device. This is usually going to be around the range of 205°F. Some specialty beans will not produce a good tasting cup of coffee under those conditions.
As a matter of fact, it’s better to brew coffee at a much lower temperature than this. Truly, you should brew coffee between 175°F and 195°F. Anything more than this begins to increase the risk of creating an overly extracted bean. This results in an acidic and bitter taste.
Slow Water Contact with the Grounds
Then there’s the matter of how slowly the water pours over the grounds. Here’s where the art form of the brewing process comes into play. If you do it just right, it gives the water time to intermingle with the grounds, thereby producing a perfect cup of coffee.
Allowing the grounds to first bloom and then using concentric circles/spirals to pour in the rest of the water will enhance the taste. Each particle touches the water and releases its essence. This prevents over extraction, bitterness and acidity.
Which Countries in the World Prefer Pour Over Coffee?
Japan is the one country where you will find pour over coffee in every home and coffee shop. This is the go-to when you order it. But, the pour over method is regaining popularity in the United States where people are tossing out their drip machines.
This is due to the resurgence of specialty coffee beans in recent years. Since there needs to be a little more finesse and delicacy in brewing, pour over style does the trick.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.