Brewing coffee with a Hario V60 is a popular pour-over method that offers a number of benefits. One of the main benefits is the ability to control the brewing process. The V60’s unique cone shape and large spiral ridges allow for a precise and steady flow of water, which helps to extract the full flavor profile of the beans.
Another benefit of the Hario V60 is its ability to bring out the unique flavors and aromas of the coffee beans. The cone shape design of the V60 allows for a slower and more controlled pour, which helps to extract the full flavor profile of the beans without over-extraction, resulting in a balanced and clean taste.
The Hario V60 is also a great option for those who prefer to make coffee for one or two people, as it is a simple and efficient way to brew a single cup of coffee. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, making it a convenient option for daily use.
Another benefit of the Hario V60 is its durability and portability. The V60 is made of heat-resistant plastic and ceramic, making it lightweight and easy to take with you on the go.
To learn the step by step brewing recipe for the Hario V60 and how to make this type of coffee at home continue reading!
How to Make Coffee with a Hario V60
Essentials
- Gooseneck Kettle
- Burr grinder
- Scale
- Timer
- V60 Paper filter
- Fresh Roasted Whole Bean Coffee (Preferably Local)
- Your Favorite Mug
Step by Step Directions
Learning how to make coffee with a manual brewer like the Hario V60 can seem a overwhelming at first but with this step by step guide you will brewing coffee like the pros in no time.
Step 1. Heat Water to Between 195 – 205°F
Weigh out 320g of water and heat until its between 195 -205°F. If you don’t have a way of measuring the temperature, you can boil the water and wait for around 30 seconds for it to come to about 200 degrees.
Step 2. Weigh Out 20 Grams of Coffee
This is a typical amount of coffee used for the average cup. However you can use more or less coffee, depending on how much you want to drink. The important point to remember is to use a water to coffee ratio of 16 to 1 and use a medium coarse grind.
The burr grinder comes in handy here to make sure that you grind the whole coffee beans to the correct size and coarseness. Also, it will ensure that the coffee beans have a uniform size.
When you are preparing pour over coffee, it’s highly recommended that you use fresh roasted whole bean coffee and grind your coffee just before you are ready to begin brewing. If you happen to grind the coffee too early, there’s a possibility of it losing its full flavor and aroma.
Step 3. Use a V60 Paper Filter
You need to use a filter for a V60, as it was designed with this brewing method and will give you the best tasting coffee. Fold the paper along the seam and place it in the V60
Step 4. Rinse the filter
By pre-wetting the filter, you are getting rid of any papery residue, which helps in having a purer brew. Moreover, it will ensure that the filter fits well on the sides of the dripper. It will also pre-heat the Hario V60 and the cup or vessel you are brewing into. Take note that you need to throw of this water before you start to brew your coffee.
Step 5. Add Coffee and Tare the Scale
Get some fresh roasted coffee ( preferably from a local roaster). Add your medium coarse ground coffee and then shake the V60 softly to allow the grounds to settle into a flat surface referred to as the coffee bed. This will make even extraction possible. Place it on your scale and reset it to zero.
Step 6. Let The Coffee Bloom
For an even saturation of the grounds, add some water to them. Wait for around 30 seconds. This process is important with fresh roasted coffee, its called the coffee bloom as it starts a chemical reaction that removes gases from the ground coffee.
The danger of adding all the water at the same time is that the gases will be trapped in the coffee and, as a result, the taste is affected. For effective results, the ratio of water to coffee for this process can be 2:1. For instance, when using 20 grams of coffee, you should add 40 grams of water.
Step 7. Pour the Rest of the Water
When it hits 30 seconds, it’s now the time to pour out the remaining water. You will want to keep the water topped up by spiral pouring the water into V60. This just means to slowly add the water little by little in small circles until you added the 320g of water.
The process of adding the 320g water should take 2:30 seconds. Be careful that the water doesn’t get very close to the top edging of the dripper.
For this step, you should use a Gooseneck Kettle. There are three reasons why this equipment is the best option. The first reason is that it gives you a better control when pouring water through the filter.
Secondly, you will have a better tasting coffee, compared to when you use a regular kettle, because of the even distribution of water over the grounds.
Thirdly, a Gooseneck Kettle gives you the much-needed consistency that a regular kettle doesn’t. You are guaranteed of quality results when you use this item.
Step 8. Finish Brewing and Enjoy
Once you have made sure that the water has drained completely, you can now go ahead and enjoy your pour over coffee.
From the beginning to the end of your brewing process should take about 2:30 with a complete brewing time of 4 minutes. If the time is not within this range, the coarseness of your coffee grind will need some adjusting.
Normally, if you notice that the pour over takes less then 2:30 minutes, this means that the coffee ground was too coarse. On the other hand, if the process takes more than that, it means that the coffee ground was very fine.
Remember to throw away the used paper filter and compost the coffee grounds.
Brewing Summary
- Brew time: 4 minutes
- Coffee: 20g
- Water: 320g
- Coffee to water ratio: 1:16
- Grind: Medium-Fine
- Water temperature: 195 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit
Final Thoughts
If it’s your first time to brew pour over coffee with the Hario V60, and the coffee does not taste as you expected, you don’t have to worry. It happens a lot to many people. What you need to do is to make some adjustments to your preparation and recipe.
Also try to use a Gooseneck Kettle with this brewing method. There are 3 basic reasons for this. The first is that it gives you a better control when pouring water through the filter.
Secondly, you will have a better tasting coffee, compared to when you use a regular kettle, because of the even distribution of water over the grounds. Thirdly, a Gooseneck Kettle gives you the much-needed consistency that a regular kettle doesn’t.
If you follow these steps then in no time at all, you will be making pour over coffee at home that will measure up to the quality of your local coffee shop.
