PSA: My friend said my pour over looked like a sad science project

I was really proud of my setup with all the timers and scales, but my buddy watched me make a cup last week and just said, 'Dude, you look like you're trying to disarm a bomb.' He pointed out I was so focused on hitting exactly 205 degrees and a 3:30 brew time that I was stressing over every second. I dropped all the extra gear the next morning and just used my gooseneck and a simple timer. The coffee tasted the same, maybe better because I wasn't tense. Has anyone else gotten too deep into the numbers and had to pull back?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_west1mo ago

Totally been there. I had a whole spreadsheet for a while, which is just embarrassing to admit now. The moment you start watching the clock more than enjoying the smell of the grounds, you've lost the plot. My best cups now happen when I'm just paying attention, not doing math.

hugo_robinson251mo ago

Try timing your next cup by just listening to the coffee drip instead.

eric_knight71mo ago

Your friend's bomb squad comment is spot on. I once had a notebook next to my kettle, logging swirl patterns. Realized I was basically doing homework for a drink. The coffee got a lot better when I stopped treating it like a final exam.