No-Fuss Over Pour-Over

At the outset, I want to admit that I have a predilection for the Moka pot. You might have already guessed that from all my other articles - but I will clarify why anyway.

I am a mechanical engineer, and have a pretty romanticised view of the field. I like everything "machine" - especially things that are made for a purpose, and do not run on a battery or electricity. I love mechanical watches for one. I have always been awed by "boilers" - those huge behemoths that turn water into high-pressure steam in power stations. I consider the Moka pot to be another such "purpose built machine" for making coffee. It is after all, a miniature boiler. As for the coffee that it brews? I love that too - with all the potential to control the parameters that go into brewing a Moka pot coffee.

However, a Moka pot for me is an indulgence for a slow weekend morning - I have built a process for brewing with it, you can read about it here, and I have put some time into understanding them, read this for example.

But for my everyday coffee? I turn to the pour-over.

Because it's simple, and more forgiving. Mostly.

Here's my pour-over process:

1. Take the pour-over dripper and server.
2. Pull out a 02-size filter, place it in the dripper.
3. Heat up water in an electric kettle.
4. Pour a little hot water over the paper to get it fully wet, rinse the server with the same water, then discard the water.
5. Measure out a scoop of pre-ground coffee and dunk it into the filter.
6. Pour a measure of hot water straight from the electric kettle - it is not a gooseneck - in gradual circles from about 6 inches up. How much? Till the water reaches a particular rung on the dripper.
7. Leave it alone to percolate while I go about my other business.
8. Come back, pour the coffee in a mug and that's it.

I am aware pour-over can be a measured, ritualistic process, precise coffee-to-water ratios and careful pour speeds exist, and there's in fact quite a lot of finesse to it.

But I still prefer my way.

Why?

Because I love the coffee I get from my rough-and-tumble method, and I find ease in the simplicity of it. For me, as I suspect it is for many of us, coffee is the fuel that kick-starts the day. And the way I think about my everyday coffee is much like the way I think about getting dressed-

There are days when you want to take your time, put some thought into what you’re wearing, and dress for the occasion. But most days, you reach for the clothes you already know work. They’re comfortable, they look good, and they require very little thought.

That's how I go about my pour-over: the simplest way to get a good cup of coffee.