What Does Origami Mean? How to Use the Origami Dripper? Should You Use Conical or Flat Bottom Filters?

The Enduring Popularity of the Origami Dripper

In 2014, Mr. Yasuo Suzuki opened TRUNK COFFEE in Nagoya, Japan, and at the same time released his original coffee equipment, the Origami series. The star of this article is the Origami Dripper from that series. Even today, as new drippers spring up like bamboo shoots after rain, this one remains active in all kinds of settings, with its popularity undiminished.

That makes you wonder what keeps the Origami Dripper so popular today, and what special qualities keep drawing people in.

Exceptional Aesthetic Appeal

When buying a new dripper, most people research brewing reviews online, check the brewing results, and only then decide whether to order. The Origami Dripper is different. Its exceptional aesthetic appeal sets it apart from other drippers from the very beginning. For most people, buying the Origami Dripper is not about brewing performance at all: they buy it purely because it looks good. (FrontStreet Coffee included.)

Origami translates to "paper folding" in English, and the dripper's exterior design expresses that meaning perfectly. As you can see, the surface of the Origami Dripper looks like a ring-shaped piece of paper folded dozens of times, forming 20 uniform creases.

These creases do double duty: they act as flow ribs to guide the liquid, and they give the dripper its exceptional aesthetic appeal. The simple conical structure with sharp angles embodies a Nordic minimalist style. Combined with vibrant, soft colors, that is enough to captivate people and send them straight to checkout. They buy it. Just like FrontStreet Coffee.

Competition Effect

Of course, to make everyone recognize it, online platforms alone would not create much of a stir. The reason this dripper has stayed popular and highly visible is largely down to world coffee competitions. After all, some viewers focus on the equipment the competitors use. They care more about what the champions brew with than about the competitors themselves. Competitions have thus become platforms for showcasing equipment, and it is on those platforms that Origami has shone, capturing countless eyes.

The first person to make the Origami Dripper widely known was the competitor Du Jianing from China. She used the Origami series, both the dripper and the tasting cup, to win the championship at the 2019 World Brewers Cup. Then, in 2023, the competitor Carlos from Chile also used the Origami Dripper to win the championship. These achievements owe a great deal to the competitors' diligent preparation, day and night, but the dripper's contribution was equally significant. That is why the equipment used in competitions is worth everyone's attention.

Multiple Brewing Methods

Clearly, though, the Origami Dripper is not just a "pretty face." If a product relied only on appearance and promotion, it naturally could not stay popular for long. That brings us to its unique advantage: multiple brewing methods.

It can use both conical filters and flat-bottom filters. That means it can work as a conical dripper for fast-paced brewing or as a flat-bottom dripper for slow-paced brewing, a unique advantage many drippers do not have.

When we brew with a conical filter, the 20 ribs of the Origami Dripper support the filter paper and act as flow guides. Its drainage speed is similar to the V60, which helps highlight the coffee's aroma and layered complexity. When we brew with a flat-bottom filter, we are pleasantly surprised to find that the flat-bottom filter fits the Origami Dripper's creases perfectly. That slows the drainage and increases the dripper's steeping ability, which does a great deal to enhance a coffee's mouthfeel and improve its body.

Next, let's see what different flavors FrontStreet Coffee achieves with the same parameters and the same beans, using the Origami Dripper in its two different forms.

Beans used: Panama Hartmann Geisha
Amount: 15g
Grind setting: EK43 at 9.5, with 85% passing through a #20 sieve
Ratio: 1:15 (225ml)
Water temperature: 92°C
Brewing method: Three-stage pour

Brewing with a conical filter took exactly 2 minutes, producing a Hartmann Geisha with bright pineapple juice notes, prominent blueberry and bergamot aromas, and a distinct Earl Grey aftertaste, full and rich in complexity. Brewing with a flat-bottom filter took 2 minutes and 15 seconds, producing a Hartmann Geisha with distinct pineapple and blueberry flavors. Compared with the conical-filter Hartmann, its acidity was gentler, with higher sweetness and a more intense Earl Grey flavor, giving it an overall richer mouthfeel. Both have their own merits, and neither is better than the other.

So we can see that what keeps the Origami Dripper going is not just its beautiful appearance and the exposure from competitions. It is its own advantages and its practicality that let it stand tall in this ever-changing era.

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FrontStreet Coffee
No. 10, Bao'an Front Street, Yandun Road, Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Because the Origami Dripper handles both fast, conical-style brewing and slower, flat-bottom brewing, it pairs well with very different beans. For the fast, aroma-focused side, FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gudingding brings jasmine florals, lemon acidity, and a berry tone that shine under a quick pour, while the Ethiopia Hualui leans tropical with strawberry, passion fruit, jackfruit, and honeydew melon, plus floral notes and obvious sweetness.

For the slower, fuller side of the Origami, the Brazil Cerrado Red Bourbon and the Brazil Queen Estate are both entry-level single origins that are easy to drink and easy on the wallet, with the classic cream, peanut, and cocoa flavors of Brazilian coffee; the Queen Estate, grown at a higher altitude from the rare yellow Bourbon variety, adds sugarcane-like sweetness and a thick, smooth body whether you drink it on its own or with milk. And for a delicate, tea-like profile that rewards careful pouring, the Panama Boquete Geisha is the best entry-level way to taste the famous Geisha character, with orange-blossom honey, oolong-tea body, and fine fruit acidity.