Clean Coffee Recipe
Make Clean Coffee Recipe in just 15m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Coffee base
Clarifying (optional for ultra-clean cup)
Finishing
Method
Coffee base
Measure and grind
Weigh 10–12 g (≈0.06 cups) of fresh whole coffee beans. Grind to a medium-fine consistency (similar to table salt) immediately before brewing to maximize freshness.
Heat water
Bring 12 oz (≈355 ml) of filtered water to 92–96°C (198–205°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, bring to a boil and let rest 30 seconds.
Brew (pour-over method recommended)
Place a paper filter in your pour-over dripper and rinse it with hot water to remove paper flavors and preheat equipment; discard rinse water. Add the ground coffee, level the bed, then start a 30–40 second bloom by pouring 40–60 g (ml) of hot water evenly over the grounds. After the bloom, pour the remaining water in slow, concentric circles, aiming for a total brew time of 2:30–3:30 minutes. End with about 12 oz finished.
Clarifying (optional for ultra-clean cup)
Prepare clarifier
If you want an exceptionally clear cup with reduced sediment and oily mouthfeel, whisk 1 egg white with 2 tbsp cold filtered water until slightly frothy. Use pasteurized eggs if concerned about raw egg. This step is optional.
Mix with hot coffee
Pour the freshly brewed hot coffee into a heatproof bowl. Immediately stir in the whisked egg-white mixture briskly for 20–30 seconds. The egg white will coagulate and trap fines and oils as it cooks in the hot liquid.
Settle and strain
Let the mixture rest 4–6 minutes. A coagulated raft will form on the surface. Pour the coffee slowly through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a double layer of paper towel or a clean coffee filter into your serving vessel. Discard the solids. The resulting liquid will be noticeably clearer and cleaner-tasting.
Finishing
Adjust and serve
Taste the coffee. If it’s too strong, add up to 2 oz hot filtered water to reach your preferred strength. Add a tiny pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8–1/4 tsp) to brighten and round bitterness—stir gently. Serve immediately in a preheated cup.
Storage note
Best enjoyed immediately. Clarified coffee should be consumed within 1 hour for peak flavor. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within 24 hours (reheat gently).