The classic "gooseneck kettle" advice is incomplete. Physics shows that a steady, vertical pour creates a —the column of water breaks into droplets before hitting the bed, causing inconsistent kinetic energy.
Suggested citation for the digital edition: Henderson, J. (2025). The Physics of Filter Coffee (Updated ed.) [EPUB]. Coffee Science Press. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36475.12345 the physics of filter coffee epub updated
The book's unique perspective comes directly from its author. Jonathan Gagné is a Canadian astrophysicist and a self-described "passionate coffee geek". He is also the creator of the blog Coffee Ad Astra , a name that directly links his two worlds: " Ad Astra " is Latin for "to the stars". The classic "gooseneck kettle" advice is incomplete
Jonathan Gagné is a professional astrophysicist at the Montreal Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium and an adjunct professor at the Université de Montréal. He brings a unique and rigorous perspective to coffee by applying the very tools he uses to study the cosmos—statistics, programming, and the scientific method—to understand what happens when hot water meets ground coffee. This methodological approach sets his work apart, turning brewing from a vague art into a precise science. (2025)
