Brewing Coffee with the Origami: A Unique Experience
In today’s market, an abundance of manual coffee brewers awaits enthusiasts, each vying for attention. Among the aesthetically pleasing options, the Origami stands out, gaining widespread popularity after its use by Du Jianing, the 2019 World Brewers Cup Champion. Her victory marked a significant moment as the first Chinese competitor to secure the title.
What sets the Origami apart is its visually appealing design, accommodating both conical and flat bottom paper filters for diverse extraction possibilities. Featuring 20 folded inner ribs, this brewer minimizes clogging, resulting in a cleaner and more flavorful cup.
To delve into the art of brewing with the Origami, insights were sought from industry experts: Sherry Hsu, the 2022 World Brewers Cup Champion, Elysia Tan, co-founder of Homeground Coffee Roasters, and Nozomu Kanenaka, Sales and Marketing Manager at Origami.
Origami Brewer: A Fusion of Design and Functionality
Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, Origami’s design and name draw from this creative practice. Crafted by Yasuo Suzuki and Kiyohito Tanaka, founders of Trunk Coffee in Japan, the Origami dripper is made from Mino porcelain, handcrafted at a Gifu prefecture factory. This region’s blend of craftsmanship and technology consistently produces high-quality, durable products.
The 20 evenly-spaced ribs come into play when using conical paper filters, creating space for a faster flow rate and encouraging quicker extraction. On the other hand, Kalita Wave paper filters seamlessly fit into the ribs, transforming it into a flat-bottom brewer. Nozomu highlights additional benefits, emphasizing the continuous refinement process with over 20 revisions since the inception of the dripper.
Origami vs. Other Pour Over Brewers: Uniqueness Explored
While the Origami shares a conical shape with drippers like the Hario V60, it boasts distinct features that set it apart. Sherry Hsu, a seasoned competitor and coffee consultant, appreciates its flexibility, allowing her to alter the brew bed’s shape with different paper filters. Elysia Tan, co-founder of Homeground Coffee Roasters, values the diversity in brewing methods based on the characteristics of different coffees, emphasizing the importance of understanding and leveraging the brewer’s design.
Brewing with the Origami: A Creative Journey
Choosing between porcelain and plastic drippers is the initial decision in the brewing process. Nozomu highlights the heat conductivity difference, favoring plastic for efficiency in competitions where multiple coffees need simultaneous brewing.
The paper filter choice further influences the final brew. Conical paper filters create space for a faster flow rate, while flat bottom filters lead to a slower flow rate due to snug grooves. Sherry emphasizes how these choices impact the brew bed’s shape, affecting the extraction process.
Recommended Recipes: A Glimpse into Expertise
Sherry and Elysia share their Origami recipes, revealing the intricate details behind a successful brew. From water temperature to brew ratio and pouring stages, each step contributes to a unique and flavorful cup.
Tips and Advice for Using the Origami: Navigating the Journey
For beginners, Sherry recommends starting with the Origami Air and a flat-bottomed paper filter for a foolproof and consistent result. Stressing the importance of a faster flow rate, she encourages experimenting with grind size and dose to customize the brewing experience.
The Origami, with its captivating design and innovative features, offers a distinctive manual brewing experience. As users explore its nuances, they can unlock a world of creative possibilities in pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee.
