How to Brew: Kalita Wave 101
Tips & Tricks
How to Brew: Kalita Wave
Kalita Wave is a brewing method developed by the Japanese company Kalita Co. They have been creating coffee brewing equipment since the 1950s and the Kalita Wave is one of the world’s favorites. It differs from other drip methods because it has a wide flat bottom. The flat bottom will automatically help you have more control over the evenness of the extraction. It also has three small holes instead of one large center hole. This prevents channeling. Make sure that you are using the right filters for this method. Otherwise, you will not get the same clean result.
Here's what you'll need:
How to Brew It:
- Bring high-quality water below the boiling point, between 194 and 205 F (90º - 96º). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can wait 30-45 seconds after it has boiled.
- Try using 1:15 to start, which means 15 grams of water per 1 gram of coffee for a very balanced cup of coffee. If you need a stronger coffee, you can use a 1:12 ratio.
- Place the filter in and then rinse it thoroughly with hot water. This will preheat the server or mug and remove any papery taste. Don’t forget to remove this water!
- For this method, you will need to use a medium coffee grind. If you find that the result is a little too bitter then adjust the grind size and make it coarser. On the other hand, if it’s too watery then adjust the grind size to make it finer.
- Place the coffee grounds into the Kalita Wave filter and give it a gentle shake for even distribution. Pour just enough water to saturate the grounds evenly. Wait around 30 seconds for the coffee to bloom. This is the moment when CO2 escapes from the grounds causing them to swell. Pour the remaining water continuously and evenly until you have reached the desired weight.
- Remove the filter. Give the coffee a swirl to oxygenate and enjoy!
Pro-tips:
- If you do not have a scale to weigh the coffee and water, you can use two spoonfuls of coffee and pour water into a regular sized mug.
- The approximate amount of time it should take to prepare a single cup is 2m 30s. If it is taking too long or happens to fast, adjust your grind size.
We recommend our Ethiopian Harrar or Land of Diversity Orisol for Kalita Wave.
