Making great coffee with the Clever Dripper is a straightforward and effective method that combines the best of pour-over and immersion brewing.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make a delicious cup of coffee:
Ingredients and Equipment:
Clever Dripper
Coffee filter (preferably paper, though reusable metal filters are an option)
Freshly ground coffee beans (medium-coarse grind)
Hot water (about 200°F or 93°C)
Timer
Coffee mug
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Rinse the Filter: Place a paper filter in the Clever Dripper’s basket. Rinse it with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
Add Coffee: Add your desired amount of freshly ground coffee to the Clever Dripper. A good starting point is 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. You can adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to your taste.
Bloom: Start a timer and pour a small amount of hot water (about twice the weight of your coffee) over the coffee grounds to saturate them. This step helps release trapped gases and enhances the flavor of the coffee. Let the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds.
Add Water: Gradually pour the remaining hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion. Ensure all the coffee is saturated evenly. Use your timer to maintain the desired total brew time.
Stir: Give the coffee and water mixture a gentle stir to ensure even extraction. A wooden or plastic stirring utensil works well for this purpose.
Cover and Steep: Place the Clever Dripper’s lid on top to cover the brewer. This creates a closed system, allowing the coffee to steep.
Steep the coffee for the desired amount of time, typically between 2 to 4 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time to achieve the flavor profile you prefer.
Release and Drain: Once the steeping time is complete, place the Clever Dripper on top of your coffee mug. The valve on the bottom will open, allowing the brewed coffee to flow into your cup. This process should take about 1-2 minutes.
Enjoy: Your Clever Dripper coffee is now ready to enjoy. You can customize it with milk, cream, or sweeteners, if desired.
Clean Up: Discard the used coffee grounds and filter, then rinse the Clever Dripper. It’s easy to clean, making it a convenient brewing method.
The Clever Dripper method combines the best aspects of pour-over and immersion brewing, resulting in a clean and full-bodied cup of coffee. As with any coffee brewing method, you can adjust variables like coffee grind size, water temperature, and steeping time to fine-tune your brew and create the perfect cup of coffee to suit your taste.
