The Perfect Pour Over

Brewing Coffee with a Hand Filter

The classic hand filter is making a comeback, and for good reason. This brewing is quick, uncomplicated, and brings back the charm of the old days when making coffee was a true manual labor. Coffee brewed with a hand filter has a visually clear appearance and a full, robust taste that highlights the finer flavors.

What You'll Need:

- Your preferred filter coffee
- Hand filter, for example, size 101
- Paper filter (available at our Tchibo stores)
- Scale
- Kettle
- Coffee grinder, such as our hand grinder

Coffee Quantity

To achieve the perfect coffee-to-water ratio, we recommend using 6-8 grams of coffee for every 150 milliliters of water. This will ensure a balanced and flavorful cup of coffee. Experiment with different measurements to find your preferred strength.

Grind Size

The grind size of your coffee beans plays a crucial role in the taste of your brewed coffee. For hand filter brewing, we recommend a fine to medium grind size (around level 4-5 on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being fine and 10 being coarse). This consistency will result in optimal extraction and a well-balanced cup of coffee.

Brewing Time

The brewing time for hand filter coffee should be approximately 3-4 minutes. This duration allows for the desired flavors to develop while maintaining the overall balance. Experiment with different brewing times to find the perfect balance for your taste preferences.

Preparation Steps

1. Insert the paper filter into the hand filter and place it on top of a suitable coffee pot or cup.

2. Rinse the paper filter with warm water to remove any residual taste and to prepare it for optimal filtration.

3. Tip: The quality of water significantly affects the taste of your coffee. Softer water highlights the acidity of coffee, while harder water neutralizes the fruity flavors. For the best coffee aroma, we recommend using fresh water with a medium hardness level.

4. Measure the desired amount of coffee based on your preferred ratio. Ensure an even surface by distributing the coffee grounds evenly in the filter.

5. Add a small amount of water (approximately 1 cm above the coffee grounds) to allow the coffee to bloom. Let it sit for about 30 seconds to release the initial aromas.

6. Slowly pour the remaining water in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outwards. This ensures even extraction and optimal flavor development.

7. Finally, pour a thin stream of water into the center to maintain the water level in the filter.

8. Allow the coffee to drip through the filter for 3-4 minutes, and then remove the hand filter.

9. Enjoy your freshly brewed hand filter coffee! Take the time to savor the rich flavors and discover the subtle nuances of each sip.

Coffee Tip: A flat coffee bed at the end of the brewing process indicates an even extraction, indicating that the grind size was ideal, and the coffee particles were evenly saturated.

Need Expert Advice?

If you're still unsure about the process or have questions about our coffee products, our coffee consultant is here to help! We offer personalized recommendations and guidance to help you find your perfect coffee. Let's start your journey to coffee excellence!

More to Explore


Are you curious about our filter coffees? Try new flavors from our carefully selected collection.

Interested in learning more about the importance of grind size? Discover how the grind size affects the taste and aroma of your coffee.

Looking for inspiration? Browse through our collection of coffee recipes and explore new ways to enjoy your favorite beverage.