7 Best Coffee Beans For Pour-Over (Whole and Roasted)

Pour-over coffee is one of the most preferred coffee brewing methods in this world.

If you are a pour-over lover who can’t compromise the quality of pour-over coffee, you need to choose the right coffee beans to brew pour-over. It is because coffee beans are of utmost responsibility for making the coffee good or bad.

That’s why you need to take great care when buying pour-over coffee beans. Looking at the importance of coffee beans in pour-over brewing, I have decided to give you a full guide that will help you choose the best coffee beans for pour-over.

We will also discuss what things you need to ensure before buying the beans. Being a buying guide, it will help you choose the right kind of beans. So even if you don’t like the brands that I have listed here, you can choose the coffee beans on your own.

Let’s begin.

Things to consider when buying pour-over coffee beans

1) Check the roast level

While medium roast is a popular choice for pour-over brewing, it's important to note that personal taste preferences can vary. Some individuals may prefer lighter roasts to get the specific flavors of the beans, while others may enjoy the bolder and richer profile of dark roasts.

However, it is important to check the roast level of the beans before buying them.

2) Know the bean types

There are two primary types of coffee beans, arabica, and robusta. Both are known for their unique taste and aroma. You can choose any of them. Just confirm the type of beans you are buying.

3) Make sure the beans are fresh

Only buy fresh beans. If the coffee beans are too old, they will not provide you with the good aroma and taste they used to provide when they were fresh. So when choosing pour-over coffee beans, make sure they are fresh.

4) Buy in low amounts first

If you are new to pour-over brewing, it is better to buy the beans in small amounts first. In this way, you will be able to try different types of coffee beans on a low budget. Once you decide which beans work for you the best, you can buy them in large amounts.

5) Flavor notes

Different types of coffee beans have different types of notes. It is up to you to choose the particular beans with your preferred notes. However, look at the notes before making the purchase.

7 Best coffee beans for pour-over coffee

1) Lavazza medium roast whole coffee beans

This product contains 2.2 LB bags of top-class filter whole coffee beans. With this quantity, you can easily brew multiple cups of coffee.

These beans are medium roasted and maintain an amazing balance between the nuanced flavors of lighter roasts and the richer, darker notes of dark roasts.

These beans are made from 100% natural Arabica which is known for its superior quality and smoother flavor profile. The beans are carefully blended and roasted in Italy, a country renowned for its expertise in coffee.

This particular blend exhibits milk chocolate and roasted hazelnut aromatic notes, adding depth and richness to the overall flavor experience.

These pour-over coffee beans are versatile which means you can you them in various pour-over brewing equipment such as Chemex, Hario V60, etc. Even if you have an allergy to nuts, you can use these beans since these beans have been packed in a nut-free environment.

These beans have chocolate and roasted hazelnut notes.

2) Illy Classico whole coffee beans

Classico Medium Roast is a well-crafted coffee composed of a selection of the finest Arabica coffee sources from around the world.

This classic roast coffee offers a delightful combination of flavors, characterized by a lingering sweetness and delicate notes of caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine.

With a commitment to integrity, illy caffè has been recognized on Ethisphere's list of the world's most ethical companies for nine consecutive years.

The Classico Medium Roast is made exclusively from 100% Arabica coffee beans, ensuring a high-quality and flavorful brew.

To preserve the flavor and complexity of these coffee beans, they are packaged in a unique pressurized packaging system. This innovative approach enhances the coffee's aroma and guarantees optimal freshness for your enjoyment.

3) Copper Moon Sumatra blend coffee beans

Copper Moon's Sumatran dark roast is a bold and flavorful coffee blend sourced from the remote regions of Indonesia.

This premium dark roast offers a smooth, smoky character, complemented by herbal notes, roasted almond undertones, and an earthy aroma.

Copper Moon Coffee is known for providing cafe-quality coffee that you can brew in the comfort of your own home. Their whole-bean coffee is gluten-free, non-GMO, allergen-free, and kosher-certified.

These beans are roasted in single batches, it is ideal for coffee lovers who prefer to grind their beans at home. It can be brewed using various pour-over brewing methods such as Hario V60, Chemex, etc.

4) 8’O clock medium roast coffee beans

8'O Clock Coffee Beans offers delightful medium-roast coffee beans that provide a well-balanced and flavorful coffee experience.

These roasted beans represent the brand's oldest recipe and are crafted by Master Roasters, who carefully source premium Arabica beans from Latin America to East Africa.

The beans are medium-roasted to perfection, resulting in a cup of coffee with sweet and fruity notes that are complemented by a well-balanced finish. The beans used in this product are 100% Arabica beans, known for their superior quality and taste.

Additionally, the coffee is Kosher certified, meeting strict standards of purity. 8'O Clock Coffee is committed to the environment and supports the coffee farming community through partnerships with various coffee organizations. So, by buying these beans, you are indirectly helping many coffee farmers as well.

5) Kicking Horse pour-over coffee beans

Kicking Horse Coffee offers a medium roast, whole bean option that delivers a smooth, savory, and seductive flavor experience. This blend pays homage to the majestic Canadian rocky mountains known as the 3 sisters.

The taste profile of this coffee is well-rounded and complex, featuring notes of sweet tobacco, stone fruit, and cocoa.

It is recommended to brew using methods such as French press, drip machine, pour-over, and cold brew to fully enjoy its flavors.

The coffee beans used in Kicking Horse Coffee come from Indonesia, Central, and South America. They are sourced from socially and environmentally responsible farms, supporting farmers who have sustainable businesses they can rely on.

Kicking Horse Coffee is well-known for being organic, Fairtrade, Kosher, and Shade Grown certified. This ensures that the coffee is not only of high quality but also produced in a way that is fair and beneficial for both coffee drinkers and farmers, while also considering the planet's well-being.

Roasted in the Rocky Mountains, this coffee reflects the essence of its origin. The deep, dark, and delicious flavors are brought out by the expert roasters right below the towering Canadian rocky mountain peaks.

With Kicking Horse Coffee, you can savor a rich and satisfying cup of coffee while supporting sustainable practices and ethical sourcing in the coffee industry.

6) Lavazza Italiano medium roast coffee beans

This product contains 2.2 pounds of Lavazza Espresso Italiano whole bean. This blend features a medium roast level, resulting in a balanced and satisfying flavor profile.

With an intensity rating of 5 out of 10, it offers a delicate and enjoyable experience. The aromatic notes of this blend are fruity and floral, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the coffee.

The Lavazza Espresso Italiano blend is made exclusively from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Central and South America. These beans are carefully selected to ensure a highly aromatic and flavorful cup of coffee.

The blend exhibits a delicious taste with a rich body, capturing the essence of traditional Italian espresso.

While this blend is ideally suited for espresso preparation, it can also be used in any coffee maker, allowing you to enjoy its distinctive flavors and qualities in different brewing methods.

Whether you prefer a shot of espresso or a different style of coffee, Lavazza Espresso Italiano offers a versatile option that guarantees a delightful coffee experience.

With Lavazza's expertise and commitment to quality, you can trust that their Espresso Italiano whole-bean coffee will deliver a satisfying and authentic Italian coffee experience right in the comfort of your own home.

7) HILLS BRO coffee beans

Hills Bros' whole bean coffee is made from a rich blend of high-quality Arabica coffee beans that have been expertly roasted to perfection.

With each cup, you can expect the consistently great flavor that Hills Bros is renowned for delivering. The Dark Satin blend offers a deep, dark, and vibrant flavor profile.

It is a unique combination of Arabica coffee beans sourced from around the world and is specifically dark-roasted to provide a strong and bold taste with a smooth finish.

To achieve the best cup of coffee, Hills Bros recommends using 1 tablespoon of their original roast coffee for every 6-ounce cup of water.

You can adjust the amount of coffee to suit your personal taste preferences. After opening the package, it is recommended to replace the lid and store the coffee in a cool and dry place to preserve its freshness.

Hills Bros ground coffee is both Orthodox Union Certified Kosher and gluten-free, ensuring that it meets strict dietary requirements. This allows a wider range of consumers to enjoy their delicious coffee with peace of mind.

Types of coffee beans more suitable for pour-over coffee

Here are the types of coffee beans most preferred for pour-over brewing.

1) Arabica

Arabica beans are one of the most popular choices for pour-over brewing. It is due to their high-quality flavors and aromas. These coffee beans have a more complex flavor profile. They come with notes of fruit, floral, and acidity. Arabica beans are also known for producing a smooth and well-balanced cup of coffee.

2) Robusta

Robusta beans are another type of coffee bean, known for their higher caffeine content and stronger, more robust flavor. While they are not as commonly used for pour-over brewing as Arabica beans, some coffee enthusiasts enjoy the added intensity and body that Robusta beans provide.

3) Single-origin

Single-origin beans come from a specific geographic location, such as a particular country, region, or even a single farm.

They showcase the unique characteristics of the specific growing region and can offer distinct flavors and aromas. Single-origin beans are favored by those who appreciate the nuanced and terroir-driven aspects of coffee.

4) Blend

Coffee blends are created by combining beans from multiple origins to achieve a desired flavor profile or balance. Blends can offer a good combination of different flavor profiles and can be specifically crafted for pour-over brewing. They can provide complexity, balance, and consistency in the cup.

Why choose coffee beans over coffee grounds?

Even after deciding to buy the beans, if you are confused regarding whether to go with beans or grounds, here I will affirm your decision by telling you the benefits of choosing beans over coffee grounds.

1) Freshness

Coffee beans retain their freshness and flavors much longer than pre-ground coffee. When you grind coffee beans just before brewing, you can ensure maximum freshness and preserve the aromas and flavors of the beans.

2) Customizability

Grinding your own coffee beans allows you to control the grind size based on your preferred brewing method. Different pour-over techniques require specific grind sizes for optimal extraction.

By using whole beans, you have the flexibility to adjust the grind size to match your pour-over equipment and achieve the desired flavor and strength.

3) More shelf-life

Coffee grounds have a shorter shelf life compared to whole beans. Once the coffee is ground, it begins to rapidly lose its freshness and flavor. Whole beans, when stored properly, can retain their quality for a longer period of time.

This gives you the freedom to buy beans in larger quantities and grind them as needed, ensuring a consistently fresh brew.

4) Cost-effective

Buying roasted coffee beans is always cheaper than coffee grounds. So if you drink pour-over coffee multiple times a day, you can save a lot of money in the long run.

These are some reasons why you should stick to your decision of choosing coffee beans over coffee grounds.

The only problem with the coffee beans is that you need to grind them before each brewing. Yes, you can always grind the beans in advance, but still, you will need to put effort into grinding. But yes, this effort will give you a lot in the form of good taste and brewing experience.

How to grind coffee beans for pour-over?

Grind size plays a very important role in pour-over brewing. Generally, a medium-fine grind is recommended for pour-over methods like the V60 or Chemex.

However, I recommend you try different grind sizes so that you can get your desired taste, extraction time, etc.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to grind the coffee beans, especially for pour-over.

Step 1: Choose the right grinder

The right coffee grinder will help you grind the beans without destroying their flavor and aroma. So it is better to Invest in a quality burr grinder. These are manual as well as electric grinders available on the market.

Step 2: Determine the grind size

The ideal grind size for pour-over brewing is medium to medium-fine. The grind size affects the extraction rate and the overall taste of your coffee.

Step 3: Measure the coffee beans

Measure the desired amount of whole coffee beans based on your desired coffee-to-water ratio. As a starting point, a common ratio is 1:16, which means 1 part coffee to 16 parts water. You can also adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.

Step 4: Adjust the grinder settings

Set your grinder to the appropriate grind size for pour-over brewing. Experiment with different settings to find the sweet spot that yields the best extraction for your chosen beans and pour-over method.

Step 5: Grind the coffee

As per the ideal grinding practice, you should start grinding the coffee beans using a consistent and steady motion. If you are using a manual grinder, rotate the handle evenly. If you are using an electric grinder, let it run until you achieve the desired grind size.

Step 6: Check the consistency

After grinding, inspect the consistency of the grounds. They should be uniform in size, without any excessively large or fine particles. Consistency is key to ensuring even extraction during pour-over brewing.

Step 7: Transfer the grounds

Immediately transfer the freshly ground coffee into your pour-over brewer, such as a dripper or Chemex. Avoid exposing the grounds to air for an extended period, as they can lose flavor and freshness. And if you want to store the grounds, place them in an air-tight glass jar.

Wrapping up

Here, I have got you covered with the best coffee beans for pour-over coffee. Though the type of coffee beans is not the only parameter of making a good pour-over, it can have a great impact on the taste of the resulting coffee.

That’s the reason if you are a true pour-over lover, you need to take great care while choosing the coffee beans. I hope this article will guide you in the correct direction for doing so.

FAQs

1) How do I store coffee beans for a longer period of time?

To store coffee beans for a longer period of time, keep them in an airtight container away from heat, light, moisture, and strong odors. Store them in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid freezing or refrigerating the beans, as this can introduce moisture and affect their flavor.

2) Should I use single-origin or blended coffee beans for pour-over brewing?

Both single-origin and blended coffee beans can produce excellent pour-over coffee. Single-origin beans allow you to experience the unique flavor profiles of specific regions, while blends can offer complexity and balance by combining different beans.

3) Can I use flavored coffee beans for pour-over brewing?

Flavored coffee beans, such as those infused with vanilla or hazelnut, can be used for pour-over brewing. However, keep in mind that the added flavors may alter the original characteristics of the coffee beans. If you enjoy flavored coffee, make sure to choose high-quality beans with natural flavorings for the best results.

4) Can I mix different coffee bean varieties or origins for pour-over brewing?

Absolutely! Mixing different coffee bean varieties or origins can lead to exciting flavor combinations and complexity in your pour-over brew. Experiment with blending beans with complementary flavor profiles to create your own unique coffee experience.