The viral YouTube method. Two big main pours after a long bloom, controlled swirls, and a relatively coarse grind.
James Hoffmann, World Barista Champion 2007 and host of the leading coffee YouTube channel, published his V60 method in 2019 and it became the recommended standard for beginners and advanced brewers alike.
The philosophy: simplify the process without compromising on quality. Instead of ten precise pours, just a bloom and two main pours. Instead of aggressive flow control, swirls at the right moments to settle the coffee bed.
The method is unique in a few ways:
1. Long bloom (45s): most methods stop at 30 seconds. Hoffmann extends it to allow full CO2 release, which improves extraction evenness in the pours that follow.
2. Just two pours: instead of multiple pulses — two relatively large pours. Each pour raises water about 5cm above the coffee bed and allows stable extraction during drawdown.
3. Swirling instead of stirring: a gentle rotation of the V60 (not a spoon) levels the coffee bed and prevents dry walls (channeling).
4. Ratio of 1:16.7: slightly stronger than the classic 1:16, but Hoffmann argues this allows good strength even with a relatively coarse grind.
The method's success: it repeats well. Even beginners can produce stable cups after a few attempts — and that's the secret of a good beginner profile.