If you're diving into the world of manual brewing, you've probably come across two popular techniques: pour over and immersion. While both methods aim to bring out the best in your coffee beans, the coffee-to-water ratio you use—and how it behaves during brewing—differs more than you might expect.
🌀 What Is Pour Over Brewing?
Pour over brewing involves slowly pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter, typically in a circular motion. Water flows through the grounds, extracting flavor as it drips into a vessel below.
- Typical pour over coffee ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (1g of coffee for every 15–17g of water)
- Key variable: Flow rate & pouring technique.
- Equipment needed: Dripper (like iKoffy’s Collapsible Dripper), filter, scale, kettle
🌊 What Is Immersion Brewing?
Immersion brewing means the coffee grounds are fully steeped in water for a period of time before being filtered or pressed. Think French press or AeroPress.
- Typical immersion brewing ratio: 1:12 to 1:15
- Key variable: Steep time
- Equipment needed: French press, AeroPress, or cupping bowl
🔬 The Role of Ratio: Why It Matters
✅ In Pour Over
The pour over coffee ratio is about balancing control and clarity. With longer water contact and finer control over pouring, you can highlight delicate notes—but that also means small changes (like using a 1:15 vs. 1:17 ratio) can greatly affect flavor.
✅ In Immersion
Since the grounds stay submerged, the immersion brew ratio is more forgiving. A slightly stronger ratio like 1:12 delivers a richer body, while a lighter 1:15 creates a cleaner profile. The key here is even saturation over time, not just water flow.
⚖️ Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Pour Over | Immersion |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio Range | 1:15 – 1:17 | 1:12 – 1:15 |
| Control Level | High (pour speed, pattern) | Medium (steep time) |
| Flavor Profile | Clean, bright, nuanced | Full-bodied, round |
| Consistency | Sensitive to technique | More forgiving |
| Best for… | Light roasts, flavor clarity | Dark roasts, richness & body |
💡 Final Thoughts: Which Method & Ratio Should You Choose?
If you’re chasing complexity and clarity in your cup, pour over with a 1:16 ratio might be your go-to. But if you want a cozy, full-bodied brew with minimal effort, a 1:13 immersion ratio can deliver consistently rich results.
📌 Pro Tip: Want perfect pour over every time? Try iKoffy Gobrew with built-in scale to precisely dial in your ideal ratio—no guesswork needed.
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Common Mistakes When Using the Pour Over Coffee Ratio