How Caffeine Extraction Changes During a Pour Over Brew

When you brew a pour over, you’re not just making coffee, you’re controlling chemistry. Each stage of the pour affects flavor, strength, and yes, even caffeine content. But how much caffeine really comes out in that first pour? And does it change later in the brew?

This blog explores how caffeine extraction works across the stages of a pour over. Whether you’re dialing in for taste, health, or just fine tuning your routine, understanding this process will help you build a more intentional cup.

Understanding Pour Over Brewing

A pour over brew typically happens in stages. The most common method includes:

1. Bloom Phase: The initial pour, usually 30–50 grams of water to saturate the grounds and release CO₂.
2. First Draw: The next 100–150 grams of water, poured in a steady spiral to begin the extraction.
3. Final Pours: Subsequent pours (often 2–3) to reach your total brew volume, often between 300–400 grams of water total.

Each of these stages plays a unique role in extracting compounds from the coffee; including caffeine, acids, oils, and aromatics.

How Caffeine Extracts During Brewing

Caffeine is highly water-soluble and extracts early. Research shows that a majority of the caffeine in your brew comes out in the first 30–40% of the total brew cycle. In fact, during the first pour (bloom and first draw), you may already have over half the total caffeine content of the cup.

This doesn’t mean later pours don’t matter—they continue to extract other elements like oils, sugars, body, and bitterness. But if you stop after the first pour, the brew would taste sharp —but still quite caffeinated.

Breakdown of Extraction by Pour

• Bloom: Minimal caffeine extraction, mainly saturating the grounds and releasing CO₂
• First Pour: Significant caffeine extraction begins, often 40–60% of total caffeine
• Middle Pour: Continued caffeine release with flavor, sweetness, and body
• Final Pour: Extracts residuals—bitterness, heavier compounds, and trace caffeine

It’s important to note that grind size, water temperature, coffee type, and ratio also influence this distribution. But generally, caffeine is front-loaded.

What This Means for Taste

If you only drank what came from the first 100 grams of water, you’d get a highly caffeinated but unbalanced brew. You’d miss out on body, sweetness, and complexity. That’s why pour overs rely on multiple pours—to gradually extract a spectrum of flavors and textures.

Stopping too early may give you a sharp or sour cup. Overextending the brew might introduce too much bitterness. The sweet spot balances all elements: caffeine, acidity, oils, and sweetness.

Can You Brew for Less Caffeine?

Absolutely. If you want a flavorful but gentler brew, you can reduce your caffeine intake by blending your coffee. Try mixing your regular beans with a decaf like our Sidekick Decaf Coffee. A 50/50 or 1-to-2 ratio keeps complexity but lowers caffeine.

Another option is to slightly shorten your total brew time or grind coarser, which can extract less caffeine while still maintaining flavor—though this requires experimentation to avoid under-extraction.

Temperature and Caffeine

Hotter water speeds up extraction—but it doesn’t extract more caffeine, just faster. Using water between 195–205°F ensures efficient caffeine release without risking bitterness. Cooler water may reduce caffeine yield slightly but also shifts the flavor profile toward smoother, more tea-like notes.

Does Stirring or Agitation Matter?

Yes. More agitation during the pour over process (e.g., stirring, swirling, or pulse pouring) can lead to higher overall extraction—including caffeine. If you’re aiming for a lighter cup, avoid aggressive swirling after the bloom phase. Keep your pours steady and even instead.

How Coffee Origin Affects Extraction

The origin and processing method of your coffee beans also play a role in caffeine extraction. Natural-processed coffees often contain more lipids and aromatic compounds, which can slightly affect how quickly compounds like caffeine dissolve into water. Washed coffees, by contrast, are cleaner and may extract caffeine more predictably due to fewer oils present.

Denser beans—often grown at higher altitudes—tend to extract more slowly, meaning you may get a more even caffeine spread across pours. Lower-altitude beans often release compounds faster, which could lead to a larger share of caffeine being released earlier in the brew.

Roast level also matters. Lighter roasts retain slightly more caffeine by weight and tend to release it faster due to more intact cellular structure. Darker roasts are more porous and offer a different balance of flavor and caffeine release.

Try the Caffeine Comparison Test

1. Brew a pour over in your usual stages.
2. At each pour (first, second, final), collect 30 ml of coffee in separate cups.
3. Taste each one individually and compare mouthfeel, strength, and bitterness.

You’ll likely notice the first cup is strong and sharp, the middle is sweeter, and the last is more bitter or watery. It’s a great way to see how caffeine and flavor shift throughout extraction.

Final Tip: Match Your Brew to Your Day

If you find yourself crashing after a heavy caffeine spike, adjust your pour over routine. Blend regular and decaf, or experiment with timing your cups differently throughout the day. Many in our community start with a 1-to-1 mix of Jam On and Sidekick in the morning and taper into full decaf in the evening to stay balanced and energized without burnout.

There’s no perfect recipe—just the one that fits your taste and lifestyle. And understanding caffeine extraction puts you one step closer to making every cup intentional.

Conclusion: Brew with Intention

Whether you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake or just understand your brew better, knowing when caffeine comes out during a pour over puts more control in your hands. The first pour may pack the punch, but every stage contributes to a full, balanced cup.

Next time you brew, pay close attention to how each pour tastes—and how it feels. Over time, you’ll find the ideal rhythm and ratio that suits your taste and lifestyle.

Tag us at @frequent.coffee to show us your pour over method or caffeine experiments. We love seeing how our community gets curious with every cup.