The Hario V60 is a simple pour-over brewer that can make an exceptionally clear and aromatic cup. It rewards a steady pour, fresh coffee and a little patience. You do not need a complicated technique to get started, just a consistent recipe and a willingness to adjust one thing at a time.

What you need

• A Hario V60 and paper filter
• 20g of freshly roasted coffee
• 300g of filtered water
• A grinder and, ideally, a gooseneck kettle
• A scale and timer

If you are new to pour-over, the Hario V60 Starter Kit is an easy place to begin. Coffee Bay also stocks the Hario V60 filters and a Hario V60 Gooseneck Kettle for more controlled pouring.

Step 1: Prepare the filter

Place the paper filter in the dripper and rinse it with hot water. This removes the papery taste and warms your brewer and server. Discard the rinse water before adding coffee.

Step 2: Choose your grind

Start with a medium grind, roughly like fine sand. Use 20g of coffee to 300g of water at around 92–96°C. If the brew finishes very quickly and tastes sharp, go a little finer. If it stalls or tastes dry, go a little coarser.

Step 3: Bloom the coffee

Add the coffee and gently shake the dripper to level the bed. Start your timer and pour about 40g of water, making sure all the grounds are wet. Wait 30–45 seconds while the coffee releases gas. This is called the bloom.

Step 4: Pour slowly and evenly

Continue pouring in slow circles, avoiding the very edge of the paper. Bring the total water weight to 300g over two or three pours. Keep the water level steady rather than filling the brewer to the top all at once.

Step 5: Let it drain

Your total brew time will often land somewhere between 2:45 and 3:30. Remove the dripper, swirl the coffee in the server and taste once it has cooled slightly.

How to improve a V60 that tastes wrong

A sour, thin cup usually needs more extraction. Try a slightly finer grind, hotter water or a slower pour. A bitter, dry cup may be over-extracted, so try grinding coarser, using cooler water or pouring a little faster. A flat cup can also be caused by stale coffee or water without enough mineral content.

Try different coffees

Light and medium roasts often show their aroma and fruit character beautifully in a V60. The method also works with fuller coffees, so experiment with different origins and keep a note of the recipe that makes each one sing.

There is no single perfect V60 recipe. Use this method as your starting point, then let your taste decide what to change.