Melitta, Kalita, Hario: What's the Difference? A Dripper Comparison

One challenge that often confronts those who brew pour-over coffee at home, or those who are about to start collecting equipment, is the "abundance of drippers" problem.

Faced with a wide variety of drippers differing in shape, number of holes, and other features, many people probably wonder: What makes each one different? Which one should I choose?

This time, we'd like to introduce three types of drippers from various perspectives, hoping it will be of some help in your dripper selection!

Why are there so many different drippers?

There's a great variety of drippers—some have three holes, some have one; some are trapezoidal, some are conical; some have many ribs inside, some have few. So, what changes with these differences in shape?

It's the speed at which the hot water drips, which means the contact time between the hot water and the coffee grounds.

Coffee extraction is the process of dissolving coffee components from coffee grounds with hot water... If the hot water drips slowly, the hot water and coffee grounds will have ample contact, and the coffee components will be extracted more concentratedly.

Conversely, if the hot water drips quickly, the contact time between the hot water and coffee grounds will be shorter, and the components will be extracted more lightly.

To achieve the ideal coffee extraction, it was necessary to adjust the speed at which the hot water drips.

As a result of repeated research by various manufacturers, there are now a wide variety of drippers with different shapes, numbers of holes, and rib designs, all designed to enable the ideal extraction speed.

Characteristics of various drippers

There is a very wide variety of coffee drippers, and they come in many different shapes.

Here, we will introduce the characteristics of three different types of drippers.

Melitta's single-hole dripper

Melitta's dripper, which first developed the pour-over method, is characterized by its ability to achieve stable drip brewing. It is recommended for those just starting out with pour-over coffee.

Shape

Trapezoidal, small single hole, ribs spreading across the entire surface

Hot water drip speed

Slow. Drips at a constant speed regardless of the amount poured.

Impact on coffee flavor

The taste tends to be robust and full-bodied.

Advantages

・Provides a consistent taste every time, allowing you to enjoy coffee of steady quality.

・Relatively easy; just pour the required amount of hot water and wait.

Disadvantages

・Flavor cannot be controlled, so it's not possible to adjust it to your preferred taste.

Kalita's three-hole dripper

Kalita, a Japanese company, is known for its representative three-hole dripper.

It offers relatively easy control, making it recommended for intermediate users who are somewhat accustomed to pour-over coffee.

Shape

Trapezoidal, three holes, deep ribs spreading across the entire surface

Hot water drip speed

Slightly fast. Varies depending on brewing method.

Impact on coffee flavor

Tends to have a slightly robust flavor, but can be controlled by brewing method.

Advantages

Allows for flavor control while generally maintaining a robust taste.

Disadvantages

Although the variability is relatively small, the taste is influenced by the brewing method, so a little practice is needed.

Hario's conical dripper

Hario's dripper, now seen in cafes overseas, features ribs that spread out in a spiral pattern.

It is recommended for those who are quite accustomed to pour-over coffee.

Shape

Conical, large single hole, spiral ribs

Hot water drip speed

Slightly fast. Varies depending on brewing method.

Impact on coffee flavor

Tends to have a slightly clean taste, but can be controlled by brewing method.

Advantages

Allows for flavor control to suit your preferences.

Disadvantages

The variability due to brewing method is significant, so practice is needed to get used to it.

Summary

As a reference...

If you prioritize ease of use and simplicity, Melitta's dripper.

If you want to bring out the unique characteristics of each coffee bean in your brewing, Hario's dripper.

If you're looking for a middle ground between the two, Kalita's dripper.

... Thinking this way might make it clearer!

However, every dripper has its strengths and weaknesses, so honestly, it's impossible to definitively say which one is best.

Depending on the beans, you might find some taste better with a Hario, while others taste better with a Melitta. Also, the taste can change depending on how you brew, so everyone enjoys it in their own way.

You can stick to one dripper that you find easy to use for consistent extraction, or you can switch between drippers to match your preferences!