A kettle for pour-over coffee - why do I need one?

Probably reading this title you are thinking to yourself - "Coffee scale, seriously? Now I'm still supposed to weigh my coffee?" I understand this point of view, but let me explain myself a bit. Just as in the case of cakes we don't take the ingredients in a handful and hurl them into the bowl of a food processor, the same is true of coffee. And even though we only mix 2 ingredients here - water and coffee, an extremely important element is the ratio of one to the other.

On packets of store coffees we can often see the description "coffee strength" expressed in dots or coffee beans, but this is not really a description of strength but only of the degree of roasting. The real strength in coffee is created by us, giving more coffee or less for the amount of water we choose. So why do we need the weight?

Precision matters

Brewing coffee is a precise matter, although we don't always approach it that way. How many grams of ground beans we throw in matters. Water temperature and brewing time can significantly affect the taste of the coffee. But to get the perfect, and most importantly, repeatable cup of coffee, precision is key. That's why a digital kitchen scale with 0.1g accuracy is every home barista's best friend.

Coffee to water ratio

One of the first lessons for coffee lovers is the importance of coffee-to-water ratio. Whether you're using a pour-over machine, French Press, Chemex or Hario V60 dripper, getting that good ratio is the foundation of a great brew. A coffee scale allows you to measure your coffee grounds accurately. For example, a common starting point for pour-over is a coffee-to-water ratio of between 1:15-16. You'll think to yourself - "and who would calculate that now!" and I totally understand you, so there's a simpler way. Let's say that such a golden range is to use between 60 and 70 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water, depending on what kind of coffee we have and how strong we like to drink.

Repeatability is key

Have you ever had a downright perfect cup of coffee at a coffee shop and wondered why you can't repeat it at home? The secret is repetition and consistency. To achieve it, you must use the same parameters every time. A coffee scale will make sure you use the same amount of coffee and water every time, thus giving you the chance to recreate that magical cup.

Experimenting and fine-tuning

With a coffee scale, you can become a coffee scientist in your own kitchen. It allows you to experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios, grind sizes and brewing times while keeping track of your observations. This way you can precisely brew coffee just the way you like it.

Brewing time

Brewing time is crucial for different methods. For example, in the case of pour-over brewing, the time required for bloom (the initial release of gases from fresh coffee grounds) and the total brewing time are crucial. Using a scale with a timer function helps precisely control these variables.

Compact size

Many kitchen scales are large because their purpose is to brew sizable items such as a pastry bowl. Coffee scales, on the other hand, are compact in size so you can easily pack them in your bag or backpack when leaving home. Whether you're traveling with an Aeropress or a Hario dripper, a scale can be your trusted travel companion.

In the world of coffee, precision is everything. If you're serious about your coffee, investing in a coffee scale is a small step that has more significant benefits than you may think. It's a tool that allows you to experiment and consistently brew the perfect cup of coffee that makes your mornings and breaks special.