What is a Smart Dripper and How to Use It: Smart Dripper V60 Dripper Brewing Ethiopian Natural Red Cherry Coffee

Regarding pour-over coffee, FrontStreet Coffee states that this is a brewing method that can highlight the original flavors of specialty coffee. For beginners just starting out, choosing a suitable brewing device is particularly important. Here, FrontStreet Coffee recommends the Clever Coffee Dripper. The reason for recommending this device is that it's very easy to get started with—you don't need too many brewing techniques and skills, which is very friendly for beginners. Whether brewing coffee processed by any method, it can handle the situation well, producing coffee with a round and solid taste. So what's the difference between the Clever Coffee Dripper and the commonly seen V60 dripper?

Clever Coffee Dripper

The Clever Coffee Dripper, originating from Taiwan, has the full name "Clever Coffee Dripper" and is a dripper with a controllable switch valve at the bottom. Because the name contains "Clever," and because the cup is easy to use, "Clever Coffee Dripper" became its nickname. (In principle, only the Mr. Clever brand dripper can be called "Clever Coffee Dripper," while similar cups from other brands can only be called "switch drippers" or "Clever-like drippers.") "Coffee Dripper" represents that this cup can be used as a pour-over dripper. Because the name has "Clever" in it, and because the cup is easy to use, "Clever Coffee Dripper" became its nickname.

The Clever Coffee Dripper combines the advantages of French press and pour-over, being simple, convenient, and easy to use. If you find it difficult to master a stable water flow for a while, and can't accept the fine sediment from French press, then the Clever Coffee Dripper is an easy-to-operate choice that can also balance flavor. In just five minutes, whether you're a coffee expert or a beginner, you can easily obtain a cup of high-quality coffee.

Clever Coffee Dripper Principle

The key to the design lies in the piston valve at the bottom of the dripper. After pouring hot water into the dripper, water pressure causes the piston valve to automatically close and stop the water flow, allowing the coffee grounds to fully steep in it. After completing the steeping, place the dripper on a mug, and the base receives pressure that triggers the piston valve to open, and the coffee will slowly flow into the cup.

The Clever Coffee Dripper extracts by immersion, actually requiring not much skill. If you find it difficult to master a stable water flow for a while, and can't accept the fine sediment from French press, then the Clever Coffee Dripper is an easy-to-operate choice that can retain coffee oils for full and rounded flavor, while also incorporating the filtering function of pour-over drippers to completely remove coffee grounds and avoid interfering with taste.

The Clever Coffee Dripper's secret lies in a piston at the bottom of the cup, which is normally in a lowered state (there are four feet below, letting it hang suspended). After pouring water, it closes under pressure, and the piston firmly blocks the water flow. When placed on a container, the piston below is pushed up, and the coffee flows out.

Next, FrontStreet Coffee will brew sun-dried Red Cherry from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia.

Coffee Information

Region: Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia

Altitude: 1700-2200m

Processing: Natural processing

Variety: Local heirloom varieties

FrontStreet Coffee's Brewing Parameters

Dose: 15g

Ratio: 1:15

Temperature: 90-91°C

Grind: EK43s setting 9.5 (slightly finer than coarse sugar)

1. Fold the filter paper, place it on the Clever Coffee Dripper, and wet the filter paper with hot water to make it adhere to the cup wall.
2. Pour the ground coffee into the cup, pour in 225ml of hot water (93°C), and cover with the lid, waiting for 4 minutes.
3. After 4 minutes, place the Clever Coffee Dripper on the server, and the piston valve will automatically open, allowing all the coffee liquid to drip into the server. At this point, you can enjoy the coffee.

V60 Dripper

The V60 dripper, designed by the Japanese company Hario, can be said to be one of the essential devices for every pour-over beginner. The name V60 comes from its conical angle of 60 degrees, which is quite intuitive. The data of 60 acute angle is what Hario Company arrived at after continuous verification, allowing coffee grounds to be concentratedly distributed, and during water pouring, the water flow can also converge toward the center of the dripper, ensuring sufficient contact time between water and coffee grounds, thus extracting appropriate coffee liquid.

V60 Dripper Principle

Another structural feature of the V60 dripper is the ribs on the inside of the cup body. The spiral shape extends from the bottom to the top, serving to guide the flow, allowing enough space between the filter paper and the dripper, making water flow more fluid with a relatively fast speed, making it one of the drippers with faster water flow speed among many. Additionally, the ribs of the V60 dripper turn clockwise. When pouring water clockwise, the flow will be smoother along the pattern, while if pouring water counterclockwise, it will slow down the water flow speed. The large hole at the bottom of the V60 dripper is also to promote water flow speed.

FrontStreet Coffee typically uses the V60 dripper for brewing light to medium roast coffee. The V60 conical dripper has a relatively large opening, and combined with its unique spiral curved ribs, allows air to be more easily discharged, thereby improving extraction quality. The taste may not be thick enough, but its high concentration that brings out acidity and obvious aroma is one of its major characteristics.

FrontStreet Coffee's Brewing Parameters

Dose: 15g

Temperature: 90-91°C

Grind: EK43s setting 10 (coarse sugar size)

Ratio: 1:15

FrontStreet Coffee's brewing technique: First pour 30g of water for a 30-second bloom, then pour 95g (scale shows around 125g), finishing in about 1 minute. When the water level drops to 2/3 of the coffee bed, pour the remaining 100g (scale shows around 225g), finishing in about 1 minute and 40 seconds. Complete the drip between 1 minute 55 seconds to 2 minutes, remove the dripper, and finish extraction.

Flavor Comparison

[Clever Coffee Dripper Brewing Flavor]: Citrus acidity, juice-like mouthfeel, full-bodied, smooth, fermented wine aroma, honey-like aftertaste.

[V60 Brewing Flavor]: Light fermented wine aroma, with citrus fragrance, honey sweetness, cocoa flavor, and a lasting aftertaste.

From the comparison of brewed flavors, the Clever Coffee Dripper can better extract the flavors in the coffee, with a rich and intense taste. In comparison, V60 brewing shows a fresher and lighter flavor profile.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473