When brewing coffee, most of us instinctively press the timer built into our scale the moment water touches the grounds. This habit is often emphasized early on by experienced baristas and coffee instructors.
However, some coffee lovers find this practice unnecessary. They believe that timing doesn’t really affect the final cup, and that even without a timer—by “brewing blindly”—they can still make great-tasting coffee.
And they’re not wrong.
You can brew delicious coffee without timing.
But that doesn’t mean timing isn’t important.
In fact, especially for home brewers and those still building experience, timing plays a crucial role in consistency, diagnosis, and improvement. Let’s explore why.
What Does “Timing” Mean in Coffee Brewing?
In coffee brewing, timing usually refers to extraction time—the total time that water is in contact with coffee grounds.
- Start: When water first touches the coffee
- End: When the target amount of water has fully passed through the grounds
In simple terms, extraction time measures how long flavor compounds are dissolved from the coffee.
Why Extraction Time Matters
When all other variables remain the same:
- Longer extraction time → more compounds dissolved
- Shorter extraction time → fewer compounds dissolved
This directly affects extraction yield and flavor balance.
- Too short → sour, thin, under-extracted coffee
- Too long → bitter, dry, over-extracted coffee
So by monitoring time, we gain insight into how much flavor is being extracted.
Is Time an Active or Passive Variable?
Interestingly, time is a passive variable.
Unlike grind size, water temperature, dose, or brew ratio - which we can control directly - we cannot directly “set” extraction time. Instead, time is influenced by adjustments to other parameters.
That’s exactly why timing is so valuable.
Time acts as a diagnostic indicator, helping us judge whether other brewing variables are working as intended.
Why Timing Is Especially Helpful for Less Experienced Brewers
If you’re still developing your brewing skills:
- Timing helps you repeat successful brews
- It allows you to compare results objectively
- It makes post-brew analysis possible
After brewing, recorded time helps you identify:
- What caused bitterness or sourness
- Whether grind size was too fine or too coarse
- Whether your pouring technique needs adjustment
Without timing, improvement becomes guesswork.
What Affects Extraction Time in Pour-Over Coffee?
1. Grind Size & Coffee Dose
For drip and pour-over brewing, grind size and dose are major factors.
-
Coarser grind:
- Larger gaps between particles
- Faster water flow
- Shorter extraction time
-
Finer grind:
- Smaller gaps
- Slower flow
- Longer extraction time
This relationship is especially obvious in espresso brewing, but it applies just as clearly to pour-over methods.
How Time Helps Here
For example, if you set a target:
- 15 g coffee
- Target brew time: ~2 minutes
If everything else stays the same:
- Brew time longer than 2 minutes → grind likely too fine
- Brew time shorter than 2 minutes → grind likely too coarse
Whether that grind is actually wrong depends on taste—but time tells you where to look first.
2. Pouring Technique
Your brewing technique has a direct impact on extraction time.
-
Small, gentle pours + multiple stages
→ slower flow, longer extraction -
Large pours + fewer stages
→ faster flow, shorter extraction
Once you understand this relationship, you can adjust extraction in real time.
Practical Example
When brewing a new coffee bean using a familiar recipe:
- If water drains much faster than usual
- Under-extraction is likely
Instead of waiting until the cup tastes sour, you can:
- Reduce pour speed
- Increase the number of pours
- Slow down flow to extend extraction
Timing allows mid-brew correction, not just post-brew analysis.
3. Brewing Equipment
Even with identical parameters, brewing tools affect flow rate and extraction time.
Drippers
-
V60:
- Large bottom hole
- Many spiral ribs
- Faster flow, shorter extraction
-
Kono dripper:
- Fewer ribs
- Smaller bottom opening
- Slower flow, longer extraction
Filter Papers
Different filters vary in:
- Thickness
- Material
- Manufacturing process
All of these affect water flow speed.
Espresso Tools
In espresso brewing:
- Basket hole size
- Hole density
directly impact extraction time as well.
Changing equipment is another effective way to adjust extraction time, alongside grind size and technique.
Final Thoughts
Timing is not about brewing coffee “by the clock.”
It’s about using time as a reference point—a tool that connects taste with technique.
Especially for pour-over and espresso, timing transforms brewing from intuition alone into a repeatable, adjustable process.
Whether you’re dialing in a new coffee or refining your daily routine, a simple timer can be one of the most powerful tools you use.
Happy brewing. ☕
