What is slow coffee?

Slow coffee, also known as pour-over coffee, is a trend that prioritizes quality over speed. The name says it all: slow coffee. It does require a bit of patience, but it's one of the best ways to make a high-quality cup of coffee. Read on to find out how it works.

Ingredients for slow coffee:

• Coffee beans and coffee grinder, or filter coffee
• Filter bag
• Kitchen scale
• Cafetière or a pot for pour-over coffee
• A kettle or jug with an extra thin spout

Step 1: Boil water

Bring water to a boil. You can use a special kettle with an extra-thin spout for this. If you don't have one, you can also pour the boiled water into a pitcher.

Step 2: Choose the type of coffee

Choose which coffee beans you want to use (if you're using filter coffee, you can skip steps 2 and 3). Not sure which coffee beans you like? Then take the Kaldi Coffee Match or get advice at one of our locations.

Step 3: Grind the coffee beans

Grind the coffee beans in a coffee grinder. If you have your own grinder, we recommend a medium grind, the same grind you use for filter coffee.

Step 4: Add coffee filter

Place a coffee filter in the cafetière/coffee pot and moisten it slightly with cold water

Step 5: Add the filter coffee

Add approximately 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee to the filter. The amount depends on your taste. You can use a measuring spoon (often exactly 7 grams) or weigh the amount.

Step 6: Pour some water over the coffee

First, pour a little water onto the coffee in a circular motion until all the coffee is wet. Then wait 30 seconds before starting step 7. This process is also called blooming. During this process, the coffee is degassed. You can also gently stir the coffee in between.

Step 7: Pour the rest of the water

Pour the remaining water from the designated kettle or jug slowly and gently over the coffee using circular motions. Start in the center and gradually make larger circles. For 7-9 grams of ground coffee, use approximately 100 to 150 milliliters of water. However, this is also a matter of trial and error.

Step 8: Add the filter coffee

Add approximately 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee to the filter. The amount depends on your taste. You can use a measuring spoon (often exactly 7 grams) or weigh the amount.

Step 9: Pour some water over the coffee

Now wait until the coffee has run through and then it is ready to serve, enjoy!

Choose the right grind for slow coffee

With a coarse grind, the water flows through the coffee faster. The coffee is therefore in contact with the water for a shorter period, meaning soluble particles (aromas) release less flavor, resulting in less extraction. This results in a milder or possibly bland flavor. A fine grind slows down the water flow. Furthermore, more coffee particles come into contact with the water, releasing more flavors. This results in a fuller or possibly bitter flavor.

The trick is to find the perfect grind, so the coffee isn't bland or bitter. This isn't rocket science, but a matter of trial and error. Your favorite flavor is quite individual. By trying different grinds, you'll discover your optimal grind.