Drip specialty coffee. How to make drip coffee?

There are many ways to brew specialty coffee, as numerous as the enthusiasts who love this distinctive drink. In today’s article, we’ll focus on alternative brewing methods, specifically specialty coffee brewed using a drip. What is a drip method, when did it originate, and which specialty coffee is best suited for drips? Find out in this article.

Who invented the drip method, and how did this brewing technique come about?

The first drippers were invented in 1906 by a housewife, Melitta Bentz. Later, ceramic and plastic drippers were introduced to the market. Around the same time, the Japanese company Hario began producing glass V60 drippers, though they didn’t gain much popularity due to the prevalence of instant coffee at the time. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that their popularity began to grow.

While the first drippers were created by Melitta, today, when we talk about drips, we often refer to products made by Hario.

Which specialty coffee is best for a drip?

For drip brewing, as with other pour-over methods, it's best to choose lightly roasted specialty coffee with fruity or floral notes. Pour-over brewing highlights the natural sweetness of the beans. It’s important to opt for single-origin specialty coffee, and a great choice would be coffees from Central and South America or Africa.

How to brew coffee in a drip?

Specialty coffee for drips should be ground correctly, which is crucial. The grind should be coarse, similar in texture to sand. When it comes to brewing specialty coffee, the general rule is to use 6g of coffee per 100ml of water, but this is a matter of personal preference. There are plenty of recipes that use different coffee-to-water ratios for specialty coffee. To start brewing, place a coffee filter in the dripper, then rinse it with hot water so it adheres properly. Next, pour in the coffee grounds and slowly add water. Pour the water in a circular motion, avoiding the sides of the coffee filter; a gooseneck kettle can be helpful here.

Which drip to choose?

There are many different types of specialty coffee available on the market, not to mention the various tools for alternative brewing methods. When it comes to drips, you have a choice of plastic, glass, ceramic, or metal drippers, with a wide range of options. Each material has its pros and cons. While the material doesn’t greatly affect the taste of the coffee, ceramic drippers may release heat more quickly than plastic ones, though this detail may not matter much for a beginner. While the material choice isn’t critical, it’s important to consider the size. Hario drippers, for instance, come in three sizes—01, 02, and 03—and the size will determine the amount of coffee you can brew.

Hario V60 drippers have become popular for their ease of use, providing a clean, flavorful brew of specialty coffee. If you're interested in alternative brewing methods, definitely give specialty coffee brewed with a drip a try!