Had a barista in Portland call me out on my pour-over method

I was waiting for my latte at a little spot off Hawthorne and this barista saw me watching her prep a pour-over. She straight up said "you're pouring too fast, you're channeling the bed." I thought I had it down after watching like 20 youtube videos. She spent 5 mins showing me the right spiral motion. Felt kinda dumb but my coffee at home has been way better since. Anyone else get roasted by a professional?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_thomas21d ago

I used to think pour-over technique was all hype until my third batch came out bitter and I couldn't figure out why. A barista at my local shop in Seattle watched me and just shook her head. She told me I was pouring way too aggressive and needed to slow down to a 5 second per 10 grams pace. I tried it her way and it was night and day difference. Now I actually get those sweet notes instead of just burnt flavor. You got a free lesson from someone who does it all day, that's worth more than a hundred youtube videos.

the_joseph21d ago

Honestly, wait, she just shook her head at you? That is cold, but I guess it worked.