Single cup drip filter coffee strips everything back to the essentials. No machines, no pressure, no complicated settings. Just hot water, freshly ground coffee and a little patience.
The result is a clean, balanced cup that lets the character of the coffee shine through.
What You'll Need
- Single cup dripper (V60, Kalita Wave or similar)
- Filter paper
- Freshly roasted coffee beans or coffee ground for filter
- Burr grinder (if using beans)
- Kettle
- Scales (recommended)
- Cup
The Right Grind Size
For drip filter coffee, aim for a medium grind.
Think somewhere between table salt and raw sugar. If your coffee tastes sour or weak, grind a little finer. If it's bitter or slow to drain, grind a little coarser.
Our Go-To Recipe
- 15g coffee
- 250ml water
- Water temperature: 92–96°C
Step 1: Rinse the Filter
Place the paper filter in your dripper and rinse it with hot water. This removes any paper taste and preheats your equipment. Discard the rinse water.
Step 2: Add the Coffee
Add 15g of freshly ground coffee and gently level the bed.
Step 3: The Bloom
Start your timer. Pour approximately 30ml of water over the coffee, ensuring all grounds are wet. Allow it to sit for 30–45 seconds.
You'll notice the coffee swell and release gases. This is called the bloom and helps improve extraction.
Step 4: Continue Pouring
Slowly pour the remaining water in small circles. Try to maintain a steady flow without pouring directly onto the filter paper. The total brew time should be around 2½ to 3½ minutes.
Step 5: Enjoy
Once the water has drained through, remove the dripper and enjoy.
Common Mistakes
- Water too hot - boiling water can scorch the coffee and create bitterness. Allow freshly boiled water to rest for around 30 seconds before brewing.
- Inconsistent pouring - pouring too aggressively can disturb the coffee bed and affect extraction. Slow and steady wins here.
- Using old coffee - freshly roasted beans make a noticeable difference.