Gooseneck kettles aren't just a prettier version of a classic kettle - the unique shape of the spout helps to make a superior cup of freshly brewed pour-over coffee.
When it comes to making
a great cup of coffee, using high-quality, freshly ground beans is going to
give you a deliciously rich and creamy result.
But it's not all about
the coffee beans. You can make a lousy cup of coffee with good-quality beans
using improper brewing methods and tools.
Find out why using a
gooseneck kettle to brew your pour-over coffee will give you a consistently
better cup of java.
What is a gooseneck
kettle?
You may have seen
baristas at craft coffee shops pouring these fancy-looking kettles to brew pour-over
cups. Their long, curved, and narrow spouts resemble a gooseneck, giving them
their name.
But they're not just
made to be beautiful, which they are unquestionably. These kettles also make a
better cup of coffee. The gooseneck kettle is ergonomic, so it's more comfortable
for your hand to use to pour.
Using a Gooseneck for
a Perfect Pour-Over Coffee
Control
A traditional kettle
has a large spout, making it hard to pour so that it hits every coffee ground
evenly. Spills and overpours are an inevitability when using a large-spouted
kettle.
The ergonomic design
of the gooseneck kettle makes it very easy to pour - a quick tilt of the wrist
will control the boiling water flow rate so that you don't overpour or
underpour the water, which will affect the resulting taste of the coffee.
And even if you're
pouring "full-tilt," the narrow neck will allow only small amounts of
water through at a time, which comes in handy during coffee brewing when we
don't want our water pouring out everywhere.
Extraction
The gooseneck's spout
control leads to better extraction. The best cup of coffee has every ground
extracted fully for even levels of
caffeine and full flavor.
Gooseneck kettles will
give you a nice, strong cup because their thin spout pours water slowly,
consistently, and in one direction. You can circle the spout as you pour to hit
every spot evenly while you're brewing.
The first pour of hot
water in a pour-over is called the "bloom," in which you pour in
enough water to soak and lightly bubble the grinds, releasing carbon dioxide.
It can be tough not to overpour the bloom with a regular kettle, but the
gooseneck's design makes it easy to pour just enough water for the perfect
bloom.
The second pour is
more comfortable with a gooseneck kettle too. For the most balanced results, water
must be poured slowly and consistently in a small circular motion until the
filter fills with hot water. Every coffee ground should be fully submerged in
hot water so that you can extract the flavor and caffeine from the beans.
Taste
A great-tasting cup of
coffee happens when the grounds brew consistently. Over-extraction creates bitter, thin coffee, while
under-extraction doesn't break down enough sugars, resulting in a sour, sharp
taste.
An even brew can avoid
pesky extraction imbalances so that the real flavor of the coffee can come
through correctly.
Stovetop vs. Electric
The gooseneck kettle
is available in both electric and stovetop versions, just like the classic
kettle. Both will get the job done, with a few different pros and cons.
The stovetop versions
are inexpensive, durable, and will last for a lifetime with no electronic parts
to break. They take a little bit longer to heat the water and don't have an
automatic shut-off.
Electric kettles have
more parts to break potentially and can cost you double the price or more of a
stovetop version. The kettles are conveniently quick to heat and safe, with
automatic shut-off features when the water boils.
Final notes: Using a
Gooseneck for Pour-Over Coffee
A gooseneck kettle is
a fantastic, relatively inexpensive investment, especially for those daily
coffee drinkers looking to up the quality of each cup.
Goosenecks will give
you the best coffee-making results with a few key features:
·
A slow-pouring spout
that gives you complete control over the direction of the pour;
·
Consistent pouring
that provides the perfect flavor extraction, neither too sour nor too bitter;
·
The ideal
"bloom" and the right volume of water every time for consistent
strengths.
Enjoy experimenting with an elegant gooseneck
kettle to find your perfect pour!
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