Beginner's Guide to Pour-Over Coffee Dripper Recommendations and Smart Brewer Techniques

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Introduction

"Ah! Circular pouring is too difficult! The water flow is so hard to control.... Are there any filter cup recommendations that coffee beginners can easily get started with and operate simply?" After reading this message, FrontStreet Coffee's barista immediately brought out a coffee brewing tool that combines immersion extraction & filter extraction—the Clever Coffee Dripper.

How to Use This "Coffee Beginner's Magic Tool"?

In this issue, FrontStreet Coffee will discuss how to use the Clever Coffee Dripper to brew a cup of coffee that won't "crash and burn."

What is a Clever Coffee Dripper?

The full name of the Clever Coffee Dripper is "Clever Coffee Dripper." There are many filter cups with switch valves on the market that are sold by merchants under the name "Clever Coffee Dripper," but in principle, only those sold under the Mr. Clever brand can be called "Clever Coffee Dripper."

What Makes the Clever Coffee Dripper Special?

The bottom of the Clever Coffee Dripper has two layers. The outer layer provides support, while the inner layer features a pressure-sensitive switch valve design. As long as it's not placed on a container, the valve remains closed, allowing the coffee grounds to steep. Once steeping is complete, simply place the filter cup on a container, and the pressure on the bottom middle will activate the piston valve, allowing the coffee liquid to flow into the container.

How to Use the Clever Coffee Dripper to Brew Coffee?

Grind Size

Brewing coffee with the Clever Coffee Dripper is similar to using a filter cup with filter paper. For the same coffee beans, at the same water temperature, powder-to-water ratio, and extraction time, if the grind is too coarse, the coffee flavor is likely to be under-extracted, resulting in a flat taste lacking complexity. If the grind is too fine, the coffee flavor is likely to be over-extracted—that is, after the flavor compounds have been extracted, the coffee grounds continue to contact hot water, releasing woody and other unpleasant flavors, resulting in strong coffee flavor but with impurities.

FrontStreet Coffee suggests using medium-fine grind (75%-80% pass rate through standard #20 sieve) for light to medium roast coffee beans when brewing with the Clever Coffee Dripper; for medium to dark roast coffee beans, use medium-coarse grind (65%-70% pass rate through standard #20 sieve).

Water Temperature

If the water temperature is too high, the coffee flavor will release faster, easily leading to over-extraction. If the water temperature is too low, the coffee flavor release will slow down, easily leading to under-extraction. FrontStreet Coffee suggests using 90℃-91℃ for light to medium roast coffee beans when brewing with the Clever Coffee Dripper; for medium to dark roast coffee beans, use 88℃-89℃.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

FrontStreet Coffee uses the SCA Golden Cup extraction range (extraction rate: 18%-22%, concentration: 1.15%-1.45%) as a reference standard. Through brewing experiments with different coffee-to-water ratios and filter cups, it was found that using a 1:15 ratio generally yields an extraction rate of approximately 17.79%-18.73%. Although this is just on the edge of meeting the Golden Cup standards, sensory testing found that the flavor is very suitable and adaptable for brewing most coffee beans.

Next, FrontStreet Coffee will demonstrate brewing using Costa Rica La Piedra Blueberry coffee beans. Water temperature: 90℃, coffee amount: 15g, coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15, grind size: medium-fine (75% pass rate through Chinese standard #20 sieve).

Brewing Steps

① Fold the filter paper and place it inside the Clever Coffee Dripper. Place the Clever Coffee Dripper on a container, and use hot water to wet the filter paper while simultaneously preheating the equipment.

② Move the Clever Coffee Dripper to the electronic scale (the valve will automatically close at this time), and pour the ground coffee into the center of the filter cup. For the first pour, add 30g of hot water, start the timer, and let it bloom for 30 seconds. After blooming, add hot water to reach 225g, then let it steep for 1'50".

After steeping is complete, move the Clever Coffee Dripper to the container to open the valve and filter the coffee liquid from the filter cup. The entire process takes approximately 15 seconds, with a total extraction time of 2'05".

This La Piedra Blueberry coffee has blueberry candy, citrus-like acidity, rose floral aroma, fermented ripe fruit fragrance, noticeable sweetness, and a smooth mouthfeel.

More Premium Coffee Beans

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Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473