Introduction:Pink Bourbon is an extremely rare coffee variety, with heritage from both Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon, yet due to genetic traits, its cherries exhibit an uncommon pink color. This coffee from Colombia’s Huila region, roasted lightly, highlights bright notes of berries, green grapes, and floral tones — a bean sought after by many pour-over enthusiasts. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the best home brewing parameters for both regular pour-over and Japanese iced pour-over, including water temperature, grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and pouring rhythm, to help you accurately reproduce its unique flavor profile.
Pink Bourbon is an exceptionally rare coffee variety, originating from a natural cross between Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon. However, because the gene controlling fruit color is recessive, the mature cherries appear in a soft pink hue. Not only is it scarce in yield, but it is also difficult to judge full ripeness from appearance during harvest. These genetic characteristics also make Pink Bourbon more demanding in cultivation and roasting applications, yet they give rise to highly distinctive flavor expressions.
Take the Pink Bourbon grown in Colombia’s Huila region, for example. After light roasting, it can showcase a refreshing and bright fruity character, with common flavor descriptions including the sweet-tart sensation of green grape juice, the aroma of juicy berries, and delicate layers of floral notes. It has a smooth mouthfeel and a clean finish, making it an essential single-origin bean for pour-over lovers.
If you wish to consistently extract the potential of this rare coffee at home, it is recommended to use a V60 dripper for pour-over, while mastering the following key parameters: use 15 grams of coffee grounds, with a grind size around 60% passing rate on a standard sieve — similar to setting 5R on a BG grinder, which is slightly coarser than table salt. The water temperature should be controlled at 89°C, and the coffee-to-water ratio set at 1:15, which helps balance acidity and sweetness.
During the pour-over process, it is advised to pour in a circular motion centered around the dripper, moving clockwise. The first pour should add 30 grams of water within 15 seconds, followed by a bloom pause. At about 1 minute, begin the second pour, again spiraling outward from the center while avoiding the edge where the filter meets the coffee bed to prevent channeling and ensure even extraction. Continue pouring until 2 minutes and 20 seconds, reaching a total of 220 grams of water, completing the extraction.
For those who prefer a cold drink experience, the Japanese iced pour-over is also an excellent method to highlight the flavors of Pink Bourbon. It is recommended to use 20 grams of coffee grounds, along with 150 grams of ice and 150 grams of hot water, maintaining a total coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15. In this case, the water temperature should be slightly higher than usual, suggested at 91°C, to fully activate the coffee’s flavor compounds while accounting for the cooling effect of melting ice.
The grind size should be adjusted to setting 3 on a small Fuji Royal grinder, slightly finer than standard pour-over grind, to compensate for the reduced extraction efficiency in a chilled environment. During the bloom stage, pour 40 grams of hot water and let it rest for about 30 seconds to allow the coffee grounds to fully expand and release aroma. Then proceed with two pours: the first adding 60 grams, and the second 40 grams. It is advisable to use a thin yet forceful stream of water, and gently stir to help evenly agitate the coffee grounds, while being mindful of the liquid level to avoid overflowing the filter.
The overall extraction time should be kept around 2 minutes and 30 seconds, similar to a normal pour-over process, which effectively balances the layers of acidity and sweetness with a rich mouthfeel. Through the icing process, the flavors become more concentrated and refined, with the fresh notes of green grapes and berries becoming even more pronounced — ideal for coffee lovers who enjoy a refreshing cold brew.
Whether you choose hot pour-over or cold drip methods, mastering water temperature, grind size, and pouring rhythm is key to successfully extracting Pink Bourbon. It is recommended that beginners start with the parameters provided above, then fine-tune according to personal taste preferences, gradually discovering the brewing method that best suits your palate, and fully enjoying the unique flavor journey this rare bean has to offer.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
