Origami Dripper Review: Can It Compete With the V60?

Who says Origami is limited to folding paper? The elegant Origami coffee dripper takes inspiration from the ancient Japanese art of Origami, with stylish and colorful vertical grooves. It is a beautiful and practical accessory to complement your coffee brewing experience.

Can it make good coffee, or is it just a pretty face? How does it compare with classics like the V60 or Kalita Wave? Read our Origami dripper review to find out.

Summary: The Origami Dripper

• Ceramic conical pour over brewer.
  
• Aesthetically pleasing design with 16 colour options.
  
• Suitable for beginners and experts.

One of the best drippers available on the market right now.

– Caleb, Origami Dripper Owner

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The Origami Coffee Dripper Review

The Origami coffee dripper is a pour over coffee dripper, like the Kalita Wave 185, the Hario V60, and the Chemex coffeemaker. Made in Japan, it became a sensation after one was used to win the 2019 World Barista Championship (1).

The ceramic in Origami coffee drippers comes from Mino, the Japanese Tono region of the Gifu prefecture, a land rich with over four centuries of tradition crafting high-quality ceramics. These drippers from Japan are as well-made as they are beautiful (2).

Origami Dripper Review

• Aesthetic Appeal
• Ease Of Use
• Brew Control Ability
• Portability
• Value For Money

4.1

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Aesthetic Appeal – 5/5

The Origami dripper is one of the most beautiful coffee makers. It has a characteristic blooming flower vibe, with its vertical grooves reminiscent of petals. Equal parts art and brewer, it’s meant to be proudly featured on Instagram or your coffee bar. The ceramic has the finest finish, smoothest texture, and crispest corners.

There are 16 colour options, so you’re sure to find one that suits your home decor or matches the rest of your coffee gear. The polished wood holder (sold separately) amplifies the aesthetic appeal.

The Origami coffee dripper comes in two different sizes: the Origami dripper small vs medium. The small is meant for 1 to 2 cups, and the medium handles up to 4.

Ease Of Use – 5/5

The Origami dripper is as easy to use as any other coffee dripper, which is to say that the concept is simple, but the recipe options are endless. In a nutshell:

1. Set the Origami dripper over a carafe or cup with a filter.
2. Pre-wet the filter with hot water.
3. Add grounds into the filter.
4. Pour hot water in swirls over the grounds until you get your desired amount of great coffee.

Use a soft cloth and warm, soapy water for hand washing the dripper afterwards.

Brew Control Ability – 4/5

We mentioned that the eye-catching vertical ridges of the Origami dripper contribute to its overall aesthetic appeal. But they also have a specific function. The ridges craft the perfect spaces for air channels that separate the dripper and the filter inside.

The ridged conical design of the Origami dripper gives it tremendous versatility because it is compatible with both conical V60 and flat-bottom Kalita Wave filters. Fancy a clear cup with a prominent acidity? Or perhaps a more mild and full-bodied blend? You’ll be able to play around with flow rate, grind size, and filter to achieve either.

The material of a dripper also plays a role in the outcome of your coffee. Ceramics are not known for ideal thermal properties, says coffee scientist Jonathan Gagné (3).

This results in a lower temperature for your cup of coffee and a small loss in its inherent sweetness. With the more open design of the Origami dripper, you’ll need to perfect your recipe to avoid an under-extracted brew.

Origami Dripper Vs V60

The Hario V60 has long been one of the most popular pour over brewers, so we were curious how the new Origami dripper would stack up.

Both have similar 60-degree angled sides, but the Origami is a bit wider at the top and bottom. This yields a faster dripping speed and shorter brew time, so your Origami dripper recipe will need to be adjusted accordingly. In terms of flavour, we found both produced similar coffee using the same conical filters, with the Origami brew offering just a touch more acidity.

Portability – 3.5/5

The Origami coffee dripper comes in two sizes, and neither is larger than your open palm. While they are small enough to take on the go, their jagged edges make them sharp and awkward to carry. More importantly, the Origami dripper is ceramic, which is heavier and more fragile than alternative materials like metal, plastic, or silicone. If you’re looking for a pour-over dripper for your next camping trip, a plastic V60 or metal Kalita Wave is a safer choice.

The recently released Origami Air, however, is an Origami dripper plastic version. Featuring an identical folder-paper-inspired design, it may be the perfect solution for Origami fans on the move.

Value For Money – 3/5

The Origami dripper is nearly twice the cost of more budget-friendly options. Plus, while both the V60 and Kalita Wave include a built-in stand to set the dripper on a mug, the Origami stand is sold separately at about half the cost of the dripper itself.

You can brew very similar coffee for a lower cost if aesthetics are of no concern.

The fact that you can use any filters with the Origami adds value. While there are branded Origami dripper filters, inexpensive and widely available V60 filters work just as well.

Do Not Buy the origami dripper If…

You’re a pour-over beginner – If you’re just getting started with pour-over brewing, the Clever coffee dripper is the perfect learning tool. Its hybrid design can be used as an immersion brewer like a French press or as a traditional pour-over cone.

You want a more portable option – To take your pour-over to go, opt for a dripper in a more durable material like the plastic Hario V60 pour-over or metal Kalita Wave 155. Or consider an all-in-one kit like the Wacaco Cuppamoka.

The Verdict

The Origami dripper is a charming device to admire, outshining similar offerings with its iconic folded paper design and bright colours. Though relatively pricey, it’s a versatile brewer that any home barista can quickly master. If you love flavourful pour-over coffee and attractive design, the Origami dripper is well worth the splurge.

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