How to Brew the Perfect Filter Coffee at Home

Filter coffee is one of life's simple pleasures — and one of the most rewarding brews to master at home. No fancy machine required. Just good beans, a little patience, and the right technique. Here's how we do it at Souter Bros.

What You'll Need

• Freshly roasted coffee beans (we recommend our Single Origin Colombia Huila or Tres Amigos Blend)
• A burr grinder
• A pour-over dripper or filter coffee machine
• Paper or reusable filters
• A kettle (ideally with temperature control)
• A set of scales
• A timer

The Golden Ratio

Start with a ratio of 60g of coffee per litre of water (or roughly 1:16). This is a great starting point — adjust to taste from there. If your coffee tastes too strong, use less coffee or more water. Too weak? Do the opposite.

Step-by-Step

1. Grind fresh. Grind your beans just before brewing. For filter coffee, aim for a medium grind — similar to coarse sand. Pre-ground coffee loses its flavour quickly, so grinding fresh makes a huge difference.
2. Heat your water. The ideal water temperature for filter coffee is between 90–96°C. If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring water to the boil and let it sit for 30–45 seconds.
3. Rinse your filter. Place your paper filter in the dripper and rinse it with hot water. This removes any papery taste and pre-heats your equipment. Discard the rinse water.
4. Add your coffee. Add your ground coffee to the filter and give it a gentle shake to level the bed.
5. Bloom. Start your timer and pour just enough water to saturate the grounds (roughly twice the weight of the coffee). Let it bloom for 30–45 seconds. This releases CO₂ from the beans and improves extraction.
6. Pour slowly. Continue pouring in slow, steady circles, keeping the water level consistent. Aim to finish pouring by around 2:30–3:00 minutes.
7. Enjoy. Your total brew time should be around 3:00–4:00 minutes. Pour into a pre-warmed cup and enjoy.

Our Top Tips

• Use filtered water if your tap water is heavily chlorinated — it makes a noticeable difference.
• Store your beans properly in an airtight container, away from light and heat. Don't freeze them.
• Experiment. Coffee brewing is part science, part art. Small adjustments to grind size, ratio, or pour speed can transform your cup.

Which Souter Bros Coffee Should You Use?

For filter coffee, we love beans with bright acidity and floral or fruity notes — they really shine in a filter brew. Try our Colombia Huila for cherry and raspberry brightness, or our Peru Tambopata Valley for a syrupy, citrus-forward cup. If you prefer something more classic and chocolatey, our Brazil Mogiana is a brilliant choice.

Happy brewing! ☕