Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
Hario V60 The History Brewing Guide
Everything you should know and expect from your Hario V60 dripper.
Published February 2, 2022
Select language
Erik Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Do you consider yourself a coffee aficionado and figure you know all there is to know about this wonderful beverage? It is estimated that approximately one billion people worldwide are daily coffee drinkers, which accounts for a huge percentage of the world population. You can break it down further and statistics show that, here in the United States, about 400 million cups of coffee are enjoyed daily. It's pretty mind-boggling once you think of it in those terms.
But just because you enjoy a good hot cup of coffee, doesn’t mean you know all there is to know about this historic beverage. Here we’ll take a look at the v60 Hario, including its history, a guide to using it, helpful tips and more. So, be prepared to become a v60 Hario expert after this article.
What is a Hario v60 Pour Over?
If you want to elevate your coffee and ensure you're getting the best cup possible, the Hario v60 dripper is for you. The basics behind Hario v60s are that they use coffee, glass products and then a touch of chemistry, all blending to offer the perfect cup of coffee every time. Where does the chemistry angle come from? It was a chemist who designed the Hario v60 and his name was Hario.
Hario developed the product back in 1921 in Tokyo and immediately started to produce and then sell his invention. It was a culmination of 30 years' worth of research that led to the heatproof Hario glass that is not just beautiful but also environmentally friendly. By the time 1949 rolled around, consumers were finally able to get their hands on a model meant for home use. From there it has continued to evolve and grow its cultlike following.
The v60 is something that came about 10 years ago and was an entirely new take on the Hario. It was originally offered as glass or ceramic and then progressed to plastic and then metal. Described as a copper coffee dripper, the Hario v60 features a cone that has a 60-degree angle, which is where the name comes from. It's elegant, refined, functional and something that is bound to look beautiful in the kitchen.
How Does the Hario v60 Work? Useful Tips and Advice
Now that you know where the Hario came from and when it was invented, the next question is how this incredible coffee dripper works?
Because it is chemistry-based, it's important you get your coffee to water ratio perfect. In general, you can use this ratio and then tweak it to fit your tastes. The ratio should be 6-8 grams of coffee per 100 grams of water. This is a good base but remember that depending on your particular tastes and even the coffee itself, you may need to go up or down with that ratio.
Typically, it takes about 1-3 minutes to brew a single cup of coffee and 3-4 minutes to brew two cups. Again, that is a rough estimate, but it at least gives you an idea.
A couple of tips before you get started:
- Opt for medium-fine grinds.
- Pour a small amount of hot water through the filter paper before brewing the cup of coffee, as this ensures your coffee won't pick up the paper taste.
- Make sure you add water slowly rather than dumping it in quickly. Pouring too fast will water down the coffee as the richness in the grinds won't be extracted as well.
- You can use any kettle to pour the water into the filter but, if you want precision, nothing beats the gooseneck kettle.
- Water temperature should be 92-96 degrees Celsius.
- Choose a kettle that lets you set the water temperature so that it’s perfect each time.
- Don’t grind your coffee beans in advance; they should be freshly ground for each cup of coffee. At most, just grind two days’ worth of beans.
Now it’s time to gather up the equipment you’ll need to brew a cup of coffee. The items required are:
- Mug or cup
- A kettle
- Electric or manual grinder if you grind your coffee beans at home
- Coffee grinds
- Filter papers (be sure to purchase the right size, they will be cone-shaped)
- Timer
- Scale
- Hario V60 coffee dripper
To get started, you'll need to boil the water to the correct temperature. If the kettle doesn't have an adjustable temperature setting, you'll need a thermometer to get the exact reading. The temperature will play a huge part in how good the coffee tastes, so you don’t want to be making guesses.
The next step is to measure your coffee grinds and then add them to the brewer. Now pour just enough water over the grinds to saturate them, and nothing more. Leave them to sit for approximately 15 seconds. This is called the blooming process.
Now it's time to pour the water. Experts suggest you pour in circles, which is easier with a gooseneck kettle. The goal should be a continuous pour for around three minutes. You can pour for 10-15 seconds, take a few seconds break and then start pouring again. It should be a very slow pour to extract the flavors from the coffee grinds.
Some people prefer to have their mug or carafe sitting on a scale so they can figure out when they've poured enough water through. You want to stop pouring water when you reach 360 grams on the scale. This would equate to about a 10oz mug of coffee.
Benefits of the Hario v60
So, let's take it a step further and break down some of the most noteworthy highlights of the Hario v60. People often comment that they can distinguish the notes in their coffee better, since it gives a truer richer flavor. As well as this, it eliminates the sediment that can sometimes happen when you brew coffee. It is also easy to use and environmentally friendly. The Hario v60 saves you time, since it takes just three minutes to brew a fresh cup of coffee, and the aroma is intoxicating. The machine itself is beautiful and elegant looking, and you can choose from a variety of styles/materials.
It’s truly one of those things you need to try for yourself to understand just how fabulous coffee can taste.
The Gooseneck Kettle - Consider It a Necessary Item
Now that we've looked at what a Hario v60 is, how to use it and the equipment needed, it's clear to see what an important role the gooseneck kettle plays. Although you can use any kettle, considering how important the pouring process is both in the length of time and how you pour it, the kettle you use will have a huge impact.
The good news is that this style of kettle is relatively easy to find, and there is a variety to choose from. You can opt for one that you boil on the stove or an electric model. The electric models tend to be faster, plus this is when you get the temperature feature that allows you to set the boiling temperature. This is another important element when using the Hario v60. If the water is too hot, it will burn the grinds and make for an unpleasant cup of coffee.
A couple of features worth looking for in the kettle include:
- The ability to choose a pre-set temperature or create a pre-set temperature
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Stay cool handle
- Precision flow spout
- How much water the kettle can boil at once (this will matter if you typically make multiple cups of coffee at once)
This style of kettle comes in various materials and colors so you can also find one that works with your kitchen décor.
What If You Want to Grind the Beans in Advance?
As mentioned, it’s best to grind the coffee beans on an as-needed basis, but sometimes that’s not practical or possible. In those cases, you may wish to grind your beans in advance. Experts suggest grinding only what you will use within a couple of days. The grinds should be stored in an air-tight container with a tight-fitting lid. They should be stored at room temperature or cool (not cold) and in an area that isn't exposed to sunlight or artificial light. When looking for a storage container, you may want to choose a stainless-steel model so that the grinds aren’t exposed to the light.
Because you’ll just be grinding a small number of beans at a time, chances are you don’t need a huge coffee grinder. This can bring down the cost and open up the door to all kinds of small and functional electric grinders.
It’s Time to Elevate Your Coffee Game
So, if you’re ready to take your love of coffee to the next level and experience the flavors in their truest forms, then it’s well worth investing in a Hario v60. It’s a sophisticated and elegant experience that you shouldn’t rush through; instead, it’s a moment you should savor.
About the author
Erik Hedlund
With Era of We and The Coffee Lab, I hope to share knowledge, increase the value of coffee – and secure the future of coffee.
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now