What is the ideal water temperature for pour over coffee?
Use water at about 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit (90 to 96 degrees Celsius) for pour over coffee. A good starting point is 200 F (93 C). Go toward the hotter end for light roasts and toward the cooler end for dark roasts.
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In this article
Pour over coffee water temperature in F and C
| Roast | Water temp (F) | Water temp (C) |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 200 to 205 | 93 to 96 |
| Medium | 195 to 205 | 90 to 96 |
| Dark | 195 to 200 (some brewers go lower) | 90 to 93 |
The 195 to 205 F range (200 F plus or minus 5) is the figure the Specialty Coffee Association uses in its brewing standard. The roast breakdown is a common rule of thumb among brewers, not a fixed rule, so adjust to your taste.
How hot should water be for pour over?
Hot enough to extract the flavor, not so hot that the coffee tastes harsh. Water boils at 212 F (100 C) at sea level, and lower at altitude, so you want it just below the boil.
How to get the right temperature without a thermometer
- Bring the kettle to a full boil.
- Take it off the heat and wait about 30 to 60 seconds. The exact time depends on the kettle and the room.
- Pour. Preheating the dripper and rinsing the paper filter with hot water also keeps the brew from cooling too fast.
A gooseneck kettle with a temperature setting or a simple kitchen thermometer makes this easier.
What happens if the water is too hot or too cold?
- Too hot: bitter, harsh or burnt-tasting coffee, because too much is extracted.
- Too cold: sour, thin or flat coffee, because the extraction is too low.
If your coffee tastes off, change one thing at a time
Temperature is only one variable. Grind size, dose and brew time matter as much. If the cup is sour, try hotter water or a finer grind. If it is bitter, try slightly cooler water or a coarser grind. Change one thing per brew so you can tell what helped.
People also ask
What temperature should water be for pour over coffee?
About 195 to 205 F (90 to 96 C), with 200 F (93 C) a good starting point.
How hot should water be for a dark roast pour over?
Slightly cooler, toward the low end of the range (about 195 to 200 F, 90 to 93 C), as a common rule of thumb. Some brewers go a little lower.
How long should I wait after boiling water?
About 30 to 60 seconds off the boil usually brings it into the right range, depending on your kettle.
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