Best Ethiopian Coffee for Pour Over
Washed Yirgacheffe is the classic choice for pour-over: its bright acidity, floral aromatics, and light body are exactly what methods like V60 and Chemex are designed to highlight.
Why Yirgacheffe Works So Well
Pour-over brewing (V60, Chemex, Kalita) generally produces a cleaner, more textured cup than immersion methods, which showcases washed coffee's clarity and delicate top notes rather than muting them.
Recommended Buna Utopia Option
Yirgacheffe (green or roasted): floral, citrus-forward, light body. Natural Sidamo or Guji can also work well in pour-over for drinkers who want more fruit and body while still getting clarity, especially with a slightly coarser grind.
Brewing Tips
- Medium-fine grind, water just off boiling (around 200°F/93°C)
- Standard ratio starting point: 1:16 coffee-to-water (e.g., 20g coffee to 320g water), adjust to taste
- Bloom for 30-45 seconds before the main pour to let CO2 escape and even out extraction
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yirgacheffe good for pour-over?
Yes, it's widely considered one of the best coffees for pour-over specifically because of its bright, floral, tea-like character.
What grind size is best for pour-over?
Medium-fine, roughly the texture of coarse sand, adjust based on your brew time and taste.
Where can I buy Yirgacheffe for pour-over?
Shop Buna Utopia's Yirgacheffe, available green or roasted.
Written by Alula Kassa, founder of Buna Utopia, a direct-trade Ethiopian coffee importer based in Detroit, Michigan. Read more about Alula.
