Pour over coffee is becoming an increasingly popular option on the coffee scene, with our staff and customers alike here at DRWakefield finding pleasure in the complex cupping notes the method presents.
Our coffee catalyst Henry Clifford is a big fan and has shed some light on the brewing method, explaining where the trend comes from and why it's so popular all of a sudden, as well as his predictions for what the next big thing in the coffee world could be.
What is pour over coffee?
"Pour over is a general term. A lot of coffee shops will use differently branded filters to make pour over coffee – they will all have their own effect on the final product," Henry explained.
However, there is a basic brewing process that ties together these beverages, which involves pouring hot water onto coffee grounds, before it drips through a filter into the cup.
It is recommended that a slow, circular motion is used to pour the water over the granules to ensure the coffee does not become swamped by the liquid, as this could prevent an even and proper extraction.
Why is it becoming so popular?
Henry explained that the pour over brewing method for coffee is "nothing new", but has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to more people wishing to emulate their coffee shop favourites at home.
It can be somewhat challenging for consumers to make their own espresso at home, as a certain standard of barista skills are required, as well as specialist equipment that can prove costly, making it an inaccessible desire for some.
"A way of getting around that is to make pour over coffee at home, because it's cheaper and you need fewer skills," Henry explained.
Henry's top tip
Henry emphasised that people using the pour over method need to make sure the coffee that is used is not stale.
"What I mean by stale, is coffee that has been pre-ground," he clarified.
"If you're going to pay more care and attention to your brew, make sure you buy whole beans and grind them just before you brew your coffee."
What's next for coffee?
Henry also predicted what the next big trend could be for the coffee industry, anticipating that the market may change significantly over the coming years in light of the growing popularity of whole bean coffee among consumers.
"If you like coffee and you're interested in it, you're going to want to get the best flavours possible from it and eventually you'll probably think 'I really should start grinding at home'," Henry said.
Therefore, he expects that consumer demand for whole beans that they can grind and brew themselves will increase markedly.
Henry explained that while this could change the market drastically, it "will only be a good thing" for the industry.
Here at DRWakefield, we'll certainly be highly intrigued to see whether or not our coffee catalyst's predictions come to fruition in the future.
Photo credit: Thinkstock/runzelkorn
