Appreciation post: A barista in Portland told me to stop swirling my pour over

I was at a small shop on Division Street about six months ago, trying to look like I knew what I was doing with a V60. The barista, watching me do my usual frantic circles, just said, 'You're just making it bitter. Try pouring straight down the middle, slow.' I argued, but I tried it his way. My coffee went from sharp and harsh to smooth and sweet in one go. Now I never swirl. Has anyone else had a basic move they were doing wrong for years?

3 comments

3 Comments

nelson.wesley11d ago

But what if your swirl is the only thing saving a bad grind? I had a barista tell me the same thing once, but then my coffee at home tasted flat and weak. I went back to a gentle swirl and it was way better. Maybe it just depends on your setup and beans. That rigid rule doesn't work for everyone.

nancyramirez9d ago

A bad grind needs fixing, not a swirl to hide it. Flat coffee at home usually means your grind is too coarse or your machine needs cleaning. Swirling can help a little, but it's a band-aid on a bigger problem. Dial in your grind size first, then worry about pouring tricks.

loganl2211d ago

Honestly, @nelson.wesley, that rigid rule probably helps more people than your one-off bad grind does.