How to Use the Clever Dripper - Do You Need Filter Paper for Clever Dripper Coffee?

Those who have visited FrontStreet Coffee's store will notice that FrontStreet Coffee's baristas typically only use two types of drippers for pour-over coffee: one is the Hario V60, and the other is the KONO. However, these drippers have certain requirements for brewing techniques. If you haven't yet learned how to control a stable water flow, using drippers like the Hario V60 and KONO can be somewhat challenging.

To help more people enjoy a cup of coffee without any brewing "accidents," the Clever Coffee Dripper was introduced. With the help of this dripper, even coffee beginners can easily get started.

What is a Clever Coffee Dripper?

The full name of the Clever Coffee Dripper is "Clever Coffee Dripper." There are many piston-valve drippers sold under the name "clever dripper" on the market, but in principle, only the Clever dripper sold by the Mr. Clever brand can be called a Clever Coffee Dripper.

The Brewing Principle of the Clever Coffee Dripper

The special feature of the Clever Coffee Dripper lies in its bottom design. The bottom of the Clever dripper is divided into two parts: the outer layer serves as a support, while the inner layer features a piston valve design. After beginning to pour water, the weight of the water automatically seals the piston valve to stop the flow, allowing the coffee grounds to fully steep in the hot water above.

After completing the steeping process, place the Clever dripper on a sharing pot or other container for the coffee extract. When the base is pressed, the piston valve opens, and the coffee extract slowly flows into the container. From this perspective, the Clever Coffee Dripper can be said to combine the advantages of both French press and pour-over drippers. It provides the complete steeping environment of a French press, retaining more coffee oils to make the coffee flavor fuller, while also incorporating the filtering function of pour-over drippers to completely remove fine coffee grounds, avoiding any impact on mouthfeel.

Clever Coffee Dripper Brewing Steps

① After folding the bottom and side ribs of the filter paper, place it in the Clever dripper. Add water to wet the filter paper and make it adhere to the inner wall of the Clever dripper.

② Place the Clever dripper on a flat surface to close the piston valve, pour 15g of coffee grounds into the Clever dripper, and level it.

③ Start the timer, pour the first 30g of hot water for a 30-second bloom, with water temperature at 90 degrees Celsius. After the bloom ends, continue pouring hot water to reach 225g.

④ Wait until 1 minute and 30 seconds, place the Clever dripper on a mug or sharing pot to open the piston valve and let the coffee flow out. The total extraction time should be around 1 minute 50 seconds to 1 minute 55 seconds.

Which Coffee Beans Brew Well with the Clever Coffee Dripper?

Considering that the Clever Coffee Dripper has its own steeping function, the extracted coffee tends to have a rounded, mellow, and rich taste. Therefore, when choosing coffee beans, we might as well start with medium roast types.

For example, if you like fermented, wine-like, fruity flavors, you can prioritize FrontStreet Coffee's Strawberry Sugar, FrontStreet Coffee's Sherry, and FrontStreet Coffee's Sidra. But if you prefer "bitter coffee" with a rich mouthfeel, you might as well try these popular options from FrontStreet Coffee: FrontStreet Coffee's Golden Mandheling, FrontStreet Coffee's Huilan, and FrontStreet Coffee's Queen Manor. Using the Clever Coffee Dripper can easily extract their essence.