We brew all our filter coffee on the Kalita Wave at Grove Blend Field. It is a flat-bottomed dripper with three small holes, which gives a more even extraction than a V60 and is a little more forgiving if your grind is slightly off. Here is how we do it, and how you can replicate it at home.
The ratio and temperature we use ¶
We brew at a ratio of 1:15 by weight: 20g of coffee to 300ml of water. Water temperature is 93°C. If you do not have a temperature-controlled kettle, boil the water and leave it for about 45 seconds before pouring. We use a medium-fine grind, roughly the texture of coarse sand. If the cup tastes bitter, grind coarser. If it tastes thin and sour, grind finer.
The pour sequence ¶
Start with a bloom pour: 40ml of water over the grounds, and wait 30 seconds. This lets the CO2 escape and prepares the bed for an even extraction. Then pour in slow, steady circles from the centre outward, keeping the water level consistent. We aim to finish all 300ml by around 3 minutes 30 seconds total. If it is draining much faster or slower than that, adjust the grind before you adjust anything else.
What to do when the cup is not right ¶
The two most common problems are over-extraction (bitter, dry, hollow) and under-extraction (sour, thin, sharp). Over-extraction: grind coarser, or reduce your water temperature slightly. Under-extraction: grind finer, or slow down your pour. Do not change more than one variable at a time or you will not know what fixed it. Keep a simple note of what you changed and what the result was.
Which coffees work best on the Kalita Wave ¶
Washed coffees tend to shine on the Kalita Wave because the flat bed and even extraction bring out clarity and brightness. Our Colombia Huila is a good starting point. Natural-process coffees can also work well but benefit from a slightly coarser grind to avoid the fruit notes tipping into fermented or boozy territory. If you are buying beans from us, ask at the counter and we will suggest a starting grind for whatever is on the bar.
The Kalita Wave is available to buy at the counter, along with filters and whatever whole beans we currently have in stock. If you want a quick demo, ask at the bar on a quieter weekday morning.