You've signed up for a Thieves Coffee subscription and have just received your first batch of delicious filter coffee. But, what's next? For first-time filter brewers, a V60 is a relatively uncomplicated (and cheap) way of making coffee. 

At the same time, the humble V60 is a favourite among coffee professionals. A well-done pour-over is not only rewarding in its intricate craftmanship but also in its creation of arguably the cleanest, purest way of tasting coffee. Coffee lovers swear by the quality of the v60 method in its ability to capture the core essence of coffee's unique flavour profile and create the perfect cup. 

Why do we love the V60?

• The V60 brewing method offers a huge range of control over various coffee brewing variables such as water temperature, grind size, brew time, coffee-to-water ratio, and pouring technique.

• This ultra-precise level of control allows for ample experimentation, so you can take charge and brew your cup of coffee to a profile that suits your taste.

• The V60's cone shape promotes excellent water flow during brewing, encouraging strong extraction clarity. This shape, along with the use of a paper filter, encourages efficient extraction and helps to produce a clean and crisp cup of coffee with a balanced flavour profile. This is the best way to taste the true essence of coffee!

• Due to its precise extraction capabilities, the V60 can bring out the nuanced flavours and aromas present in your beans. This brewing method allows the delicate and unique notes of the coffee to shine through, making it particularly suitable for single-origin or specialty coffees that have complex flavour profiles. 

• It's super fun and a great morning ritual!

What will you need? 

• Filter Paper
• A V60 such as Hario
• Timer (such as your phone)
• Scales
• Coffee
• Grinder
• Kettle
• Hot Water
• A vessel to hold your coffee

1. Preparing the V60 and Water

1. First things first - boil some water! The optimum brewing temperature for filter coffee sits around 88-92°C
2. Place the V60 dripper on top of your favourite coffee mug or carafe.
3. Fold the paper filter along the seams and place it inside the dripper.
4. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and warm up the brewer and vessel.
5. Discard the rinse water and place the V60 back on top of your mug or carafe.

2. Grinding and measuring the coffee

1. Weigh out the desired amount of coffee beans based on your desired coffee-to-water ratio. A good rule of thumb for filter coffee is 1:16 (coffee to water). So if you're weighing out 16g of coffee, you should end up with approximately 250g or 1 cup of coffee. 
2. Still not sure where to start off? Lucky for you, each of our subscription boxes comes with a specially curated recipe for our filter drinkers with exact measurements on how to brew the perfect cup with that particular coffee. So, forget about the calculator and simply follow what our expert roasters have to say!
3. Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency, with a particle size that resembles sea salt. Adjust the grind size according to taste and extraction time. If you don't have a grinder you can modify your subscription to receive pre-ground coffee, although for ultimate freshness we always recommend grinding as you go. 

3. Blooming your coffee

1. Start your timer and pour hot water (approximately twice the weight of coffee or whatever is recommended in this month's recipe) evenly over the coffee grounds, ensuring they are saturated.
2. Pro tip: make sure to avoid getting your stream of hot water in contact with the filter paper as this will affect the end result of your brew.
3. Allow the coffee to bloom for approximately 30 seconds, or as directed in the recipe you receive in your subscription box. The bloom releases trapped gases in the coffee, causing the grounds to rise and expand. This creates a fresher taste that allows for all those delicious flavours to really come through.

4. The pour

1. Begin pouring water in a slow and controlled circular motion, starting from the centre, and slowly and steadily spiraling outward.
2. Maintain a steady pour. Follow the recipe on your monthly feature roaster pamphlet, adding water intermittently until you reach the desired weight of the final brew. 
3. The total brewing time, excluding the blooming stage, should range from 2-3 minutes. Adjust the grind size and pouring speed to achieve the desired extraction time. If your coffee is dripping too slowly, you can coursen your grind. If your coffee is running too fast, you can fine up the grind size. 
4. As the water drains through the coffee bed, it should create a gentle vortex. If it starts to draw down too quickly or slowly, adjust your pouring technique accordingly. V60 is all about feeling the coffee-making process, observing the ritual, and of course, having fun! It is all about experimentation, so we encourage you to play around with recipes until you find something that's just right. 

Enjoy!

• There are many reasons why the V60 is a great way to get into filter coffee brewing. Not only is it wallet-friendly, but can really pack a tasty punch when done well! 
• The appeal of the V60 method lies in its ability to offer control, clarity, and the opportunity to explore the nuances of different coffee beans - it's the perfect companion to a coffee discovery service such as Thieves Coffee, where you get to enjoy a new brew every month. 
• Your coffee subscription includes a recipe that will help guide you on your V60 journey so that you brew the perfect cuppa at home!