How to Perfect Your Pour Over with SAIGONDAN

Vietnamese Coffee Culture

Vietnamese coffee culture is rich and diverse, rooted in tradition and innovation. Known for its robusta beans and unique brewing methods, Vietnam has a deep connection to coffee that goes beyond mere consumption—it's a social ritual, a daily comfort, and an expression of local pride. One of the most traditional brewing methods in Vietnam is the phin filter, a simple yet effective tool that produces a rich, concentrated brew.

Comparing the Vietnamese Phin and Pour Over Brewing Methods

Phin Filter Brew

Process:

• The phin filter consists of a small metal drip filter. Coarsely ground coffee is placed in the filter, which is then placed over a cup. Hot water is poured over the coffee grounds, and the brew slowly drips into the cup below. The process takes about 4-5 minutes and results in a strong, robust coffee.

Characteristics:

• Flavor: The phin brew is known for its bold and intense flavor, often with a slightly thicker mouthfeel due to the slower extraction process.
• Tradition: This method is deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture, often enjoyed leisurely with friends and family.
• Use: Ideal for making Cà Phê Sữa Đá (iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk) due to its strong, concentrated flavor.

Pour Over Brew

Process:

• Pour over involves placing a filter in a dripper, adding ground coffee, and pouring hot water over the grounds in a slow, controlled manner. This method typically takes about 3-4 minutes and allows for more precise control over the brewing process.

Characteristics:

• Flavor: Pour over coffee is known for its clarity and brightness, with a clean and well-defined flavor profile. It highlights the intricate nuances of the coffee beans.
• Flexibility: This method is adaptable to different coffee beans and grind sizes, allowing for experimentation and fine-tuning.
• Use: Suitable for those who enjoy a balanced and refined cup of coffee, perfect for showcasing the complex flavors of SAIGONDAN specialty coffees.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Pour Over

1. Prepare Your Equipment

Rinse and Repeat:

• Before you brew, place your filter in the brewer and rinse it with hot water. This step rinses out any paper residue (which can lend a woodsy taste), seals your filter, and warms up your brewer. Keeping everything warm helps maintain a stable brewing temperature, crucial for a consistent extraction.

2. Grind Right

When to Grind:

• Grinding your coffee just before you brew is essential because fresh coffee begins to oxidize and age faster once it's ground.

How to Grind:

• Use a burr grinder instead of a blade grinder. Burr grinders produce uniformly sized coffee particles, ensuring even extraction.

What Size to Grind:

• The grind size affects extraction, so dial it in for your specific method. Generally, a medium-coarse grind works well for pour over.

3. Perfect Your Pour

The Bloom Pour:

• The first pour is known as the bloom pour. Pour about twice the amount of water as coffee and stir gently. This saturates all the grounds and helps with even extraction. This should take between 30-45 seconds.

Continuous Pour:

• Pour in slow, steady spirals to keep the extraction even. A gooseneck kettle is ideal for precision. Aim to cover all the grounds evenly, avoiding light spots and focusing on darker areas.

4. Clean Water Act

• Use water that you would drink. Clean water means clean coffee. Your water should be around 205 degrees Fahrenheit or about 30 seconds off the boil. This temperature is optimal for extracting the flavors without burning the coffee.

5. Ratio Test

• Using a consistent water to coffee ratio will help with your dosing. Start with a 1:17 coffee to water weight ratio. For example, use 42 grams of SaigonDan coffee and about 700 grams of water for a Chemex.

6. Make Adjustments

• Weak or Sour Coffee: Adjust your grind to make it finer.
• Bitter Coffee: Adjust your grind to make it coarser.

Conclusion

Perfecting your pour over with SAIGONDAN Coffee is about more than just technique—it's about appreciating the journey from bean to cup, much like the Vietnamese coffee tradition of using a phin filter. Both methods highlight different aspects of the coffee's flavor profile and offer unique experiences. By paying attention to details and making thoughtful adjustments, you can enjoy a brew that honors the hard work of those who grow and roast your coffee. Enjoy the rich, vibrant flavors of SAIGONDAN coffee and bring a piece of Vietnamese coffee culture into your home with every pour.

Happy brewing!