Brewing coffee with the Kalita Wave method is another popular pour-over technique that produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making great coffee with the Kalita Wave:
Ingredients and Equipment:
Fresh, high-quality coffee beans (medium grind)
Kalita Wave dripper
Kalita Wave paper filter
Gooseneck kettle
Coffee scale
Timer
A coffee mug
Burr grinder (if your coffee isn’t pre-ground)
Hot water (just off boiling, around 200°F or 93°C)
Stirring stick or spoon
Step-by-Step Guide:
Prepare the Equipment: Place the Kalita Wave paper filter in the dripper and set it on top of your coffee mug.
Measure Coffee: Weigh out your coffee grounds. A general guideline is to use a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio. For example, if you’re using 20 grams of coffee, you’ll need 300 grams of water.
Grind the Coffee: Grind your coffee beans to a medium coarseness, similar to sea salt. Adjust the grind size based on your taste preferences.
Bloom Phase: Start your timer and pour enough hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee, e.g., 40g of water for 20g of coffee) to saturate the coffee grounds evenly.
Allow the coffee to “bloom” for about 30 seconds. During this time, the coffee will release gas, causing it to puff up. This prepares the grounds for even extraction.
Pour in Stages: After the bloom, begin to pour more hot water in a circular motion over the coffee grounds. Pour in stages, keeping the water level just above the coffee bed.
Maintain a consistent flow of water and continue pouring in rounds until you reach your target coffee weight (e.g., 300g of water for 20g of coffee).
Aim to complete the pour in about 2.5 to 3 minutes. Adjust the pour rate to achieve this.
Control the Brew Time: The total brew time, from the start of the pour to the last drop, should be around 3 minutes for most coffees. Adjust this time to your taste by changing the grind size and pour rate.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the water has dripped through, remove the dripper, and enjoy your fresh cup of coffee.
The Kalita Wave method, like the Hario V60, allows for a lot of control over the brewing process. The key to a great cup of coffee is experimenting with different grind sizes, water temperatures, and pour techniques to find what works best for your coffee beans and personal taste preferences. With practice, you can consistently make delicious coffee using the Kalita Wave method.
