A Coffee Craving Distraction: Choosing Between Flat-Bottomed and Conical Drippers

Coffee

Mar 25

My friend was super eager for my coffee and handed me a flat-bottomed dripper, but I was like, "Hey, can you hand me the conical instead?"

Completely engrossed in my work at the desk, I was startled when my roommate piped up out of the blue, "When are we having coffee?" Her craving was palpable, yet her lack of brewing skills meant she was counting on me to make our much-needed brew. It was the mid-afternoon lull, and the thought of a coffee break sounded perfect to me too. "Just give me a minute," I promised her. Instead of wandering into the kitchen, she reached for the Kalita 102 ceramic dripper, one of my favorite drippers I introduced in my blog post, "My Morning Ritual." "Actually, could you pass me the V60 this time?" I suggested, feeling like the flat-bottomed take longer to brew and switching things up a bit.

When it comes to coffee drippers, I've amassed quite the collection, including cone-shaped V60 and flat-bottomed options. The ongoing discussion in the coffee community revolves around which dripper shape truly delivers the best brew. Fans of the V60 praise its ability to produce a well-balanced and nuanced cup, while advocates for the Kalita Wave argue that its flat-bottom design leads to a richer and more flavorful extraction with less emphasis on pouring technique.

I vibe with both perspectives, but I'm taking a fresh angle on the debate—figuring out which dripper rocks the most. When I'm whipping up a big batch, the conical V60, with its wide drain hole and sharp incline, comes in clutch for a speedy brew. For a solo cup, though, I'm all about the Kalita Wave 185 stainless steel dripper. My taste buds lean towards the sweet and floral notes over citrus and berry vibes. The flat-bottom basket brings out more dried fruit and sweet floral hints, while the conical dripper delivers a tangier, more lively brew.