No Experience Needed: Brewing with a V60

Brewing coffee at home doesn’t have to be difficult, and the V60 offers a great way to achieve a clean, bright, and flavourful cup. Unlike immersion brewing methods like the French press, the V60 employs a pour-over technique with a paper filter that captures oils and sediment that add dense flavour and texture. By removing these elements, the V60 allows for greater clarity in the cup,and highlights more delicate, nuanced flavors.

Below is a simple guide to brewing with a V60, along with tips to refine your coffee experience!

How Much Coffee? How Much Water?

A good starting point is a 1:16 ratio—one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. This ratio ensures a balanced extraction while maintaining clarity and sweetness.

For a standard one-cup brew (250 ml of water), divide 250 ml by 16, which equals about 15-16g of coffee. Adjust the amount based on how much coffee you want to make.

What Grind Should I Use?

For a V60, use medium-fine grind, similar to the texture of table salt. This grind size allows water to flow steadily through the coffee while ensuring proper extraction. If your brew is taking too long and you cannot see the water dripping through the filter at a constant rate, try a coarser grind. If it is flowing too quickly, make your grind finer.

Why Does Water Temperature Matter?

Water temperature affects how coffee is extracted. If it's too hot, you might over-extract and get a bitter taste. If it's too cool, the coffee can taste weak and underdeveloped.

The ideal water temperature is 90°C to 96°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, bring your water to a boil and let it sit for about a minute before pouring.

How Do I Brew with a V60?

• Place a paper filter in the V60 dripper and rinse it with hot water. This removes any papery taste and preheats the brewer. Throw away the rinse water before beginning your brew.

• Add the ground coffee to the filter and gently tap the side of the filter with your palm to level the grounds. Start by pouring just enough water (twice the weight of the coffee) to saturate all the grounds. This is called blooming the coffee and it allows gases to escape, resulting in better extraction. You may notice bubbling, which is a good sign. Wait 30 seconds before continuing.

• Slowly pour the rest of the water in circular motions, avoiding the edges of the filter. Pour roughly 55 ml at a time, waiting about 30 seconds between each pour. This ensures even extraction and prevents the coffee grounds from becoming clogged in the filter paper.

• The total brew time should be about 4 minutes.

Just Remember:

The V60 is all about precision and control. With the right grind size, water temperature, and pouring technique, you’ll get a beautifully clean and balanced cup every time.

Recap of the Essentials:

Use medium-fine grind and the right coffee-to-water ratio.

Rinse your filter before brewing.

Bloom your coffee for 30-45 seconds.

Pour in slow, steady stages for even extraction.

Brew within 3:30 to 4:00 minutes for the best flavour.