How to Brew the Perfect V60 Coffee
For the coffee snobs, the V60 may be the brewer of choice.
The V60 makes a cup that is brighter, lighter-bodied, and more acidic than other methods, really highlighting the more delicate notes due to its thin filters and fast flow.
To maximize the delicate notes pulled from this method, use fresh roasted, specialty grade coffee! It makes a huge difference!
Here’s how to do it right.
What You’ll Need
Coffee - 20g
Chutzpah's Choice - Simcha Single Origin
Grind Size - Medium-Fine, 14 on a Baratza Encore/ 16 clicks on a Timemore Chestnut C2
Water - 340mL at 205°F Use filtered water for best results!
Ratio -1:17
Brew Time: ~3 minutes
Lighter roasts are really exceptional on the V60, but if you use a darker roast, grind a bit coarser.
Step by Step Brew Guide
- Prep the filter. Place the filter in the V60 and then rinse it with hot water. Let it drain and then dump the rinse water.
- Load in the coffee. Pour your ground coffee into the filter. Give it a gentle shake to level the bed. A flat bed means even extraction!
- The bloom! Pour about 2x the weight of your coffee in water, so if you used 20g coffee, pour 40g water onto the grounds. Then wait about 20-30 seconds. This step is important, as the bloom releases trapped gas and sets up a better brew.
- The main pour. In 50 g intervals pour your remaining 300 ml of water. After each pour, wait about 15 seconds before starting the next. Each pour should be slow concentric circles moving outwards from the center.
- Let it drip! When you are done pouring, let it drip through fully. The total time from the bloom should be around 3:00 min flat. If it took longer, grind more coarse with the beans, if it went too fast, grind more fine next time.
What You Should Taste
When you nail it, a V60 cup that will be delicate, bright, light-bodied, and more acidic than other methods, really highlighting the more delicate notes.
Tips and Adjustments
Adjusting for Light Roasts:
Light roasts are denser and harder to extract, do the following to ensure a better brew:
Use hotter water (between 203 and 208°F)
Grind a touch finer
Extend your brew time
Adjusting for Dark Roasts:
Dark roasts extract faster and can get bitter, do the following to ensure a better brew:
Use cooler water (between 195 and 200°F)
Grind a touch coarser
Shorten your brew time
Pro Tips
Use fresh coffee! A fresh roast means better bloom and stronger flavor
Control your pour! The V60 rewards patience, don't just dump the water in, pour slow concentric circles starting in the center and moving outwards.
Dial your ratio
For stronger coffee try 1:15
For lighter coffee try 1:18
Coffee Feedback
Every bean is different! If your coffee tastes bitter, you most likely over extracted, follow the same adjustments for darker roasts, by cooling the water, grinding coarser, and shorting the brew time. If your coffee tastes sour or watery, you most likely under extracted, follow the same adjustments for lighter roasts, by heating up the water, grinding finer, and increasing the brew time.
Enjoy your perfect cup!
L'chaim!