Brew Method
Origami Dripper: Filters, Sizes and Brewing Methods
The Origami dripper accepts cone or flat-bottom wave paper. Find the right size and holder, compare two published starting methods and adjust the cup with practical troubleshooting.
On This Page11 Sections
Key Takeaways
- 1The Origami uses cone or flat-bottom wave paper. Match the filter size to the dripper and keep the holder level.
- 2ORIGAMI's cone starting method uses 15 g coffee and 250 g (8.8 oz) water at 91°C (196°F). Its wave method changes the grind and pouring schedule too.
- 3Choose Air or porcelain for handling and care needs. Use one complete method before comparing filter shapes.
Highlights
- Cone starting method
- 15 g coffee / 250 g (8.8 oz) water
- Water temperature
- 91°C (196°F) in both ORIGAMI examples
- Caffeine reference
- 96 mg per 240 g (8.5 oz) brewed coffee
- Plain reference
- About 2 kcal / 0 g sugar
Nutrition uses a separate 240 g (8.5 oz) serving of generic black coffee. See the serving assumptions.
What the Origami's Ribs and Filters Change
The Origami is a Japanese manual pour-over dripper with 20 pronounced ribs and an open outlet. Its separate holder supports it over a cup or server. The paper determines whether the grounds sit in a pointed cone or a shallower, flat-bottom basket.
With cone paper, gaps remain between the paper and the ribs. Wave paper fits differently against those ribs. That changes the coffee bed and possible water paths. ORIGAMI's paper guide describes both arrangements.
Start with one paper and one method. Compare one variable at a time to see what changes your cup.
Origami Filters and Sizes
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| Dripper | Manufacturer serving label | Cone papers | Wave papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| S or Air S | 1–2 cups | ORIGAMI small cone; Hario V60 01 | Small ORIGAMI wave; Kalita Wave 155 |
| M or Air M | 2–4 cups | ORIGAMI larger cone; Hario V60 02 | Larger ORIGAMI wave; Kalita Wave 185 |
These cup counts are the manufacturer's serving labels. ORIGAMI sells both cone and wave papers; its US distributor Slow Pour Supply lists the compatible Hario and Kalita sizes above. Check the specific packet before buying.
Porcelain, Holder, and Origami Air
Both porcelain and Air offer the ribbed shape and two paper options. The porcelain S is listed at 135 g (4.8 oz); the AS-resin Air S at 64 g (2.3 oz). That makes Air a practical choice for carrying around. Porcelain suits someone who prefers its weight and finish. Preheat consistently when comparing materials, rather than attributing every difference to the brewer.
Before concentrating on the pour, I make sure the holder is level and secure. I find a wobbling dripper surprisingly distracting. A beautiful shape is much easier to enjoy when I trust it to stay put.
The manufacturer's material guide covers both families. Follow the care guidance for both pieces; do not assume a wooden holder has the same cleaning instructions as the dripper.
How to Brew with the Origami
Below are the two starting methods published in ORIGAMI's paper-filter guide. Rinse the fitted paper, discard rinse water, add the coffee and level the bed first. Use a scale and timer; our pour-over preparation guide explains the basic setup.
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| Variable | Cone paper | Wave paper |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 15 g | 15 g |
| Water input | 250 g (8.8 oz) | 240 ml (8.1 US fl oz) |
| Grind | Medium, slightly finer | Medium, slightly coarser |
| Temperature | 91°C (196°F) | 91°C (196°F) |
| Pours | Five additions of 50 g (1.8 oz) | 60 ml (2 US fl oz), then 90 ml (3 US fl oz), then 90 ml (3 US fl oz) |
| Pour spacing | Start each pour 30 seconds apart | Start each pour 30 seconds apart |
| Finish | Let drain | Let drain |
For the cone, use small circles on the first three pours, then pour gently in the center for the last two. For the wave, use broader pours first and second, then a gentle central final pour. Let the water drain fully after the final pour.
The cone's input ratio is 1:16.7 by mass. The wave source uses cc, equivalent to ml, so its 240 ml (8.1 US fl oz) is a volume rather than a weighed 240 g instruction. Neither input quantity is the amount you will collect: wet grounds and paper retain liquid.
How Long Should an Origami Brew Take?
The cone's fifth pour begins at 2:00; the wave's third pour begins at 1:00. Let each brew drain after that final pour. These schedules start pours 30 seconds apart, rather than specifying a total finish time. Record your finish time alongside taste for the coffee and paper you use.
Competition Background
Du Jianing used an ORIGAMI dripper with wave-shaped paper to win the 2019 World Brewers Cup in Boston, as documented in ORIGAMI's interview.
Origami vs. V60 and Other Drippers
Choose the Origami if experimenting with two paper shapes appeals to you. A Hario V60 provides a familiar cone workflow with an integrated base; the CAFEC Flower offers another cone-and-paper system. A Kalita Wave holds wave paper over a different outlet design.
Beans, roast, water, grind and the full pouring method shape the cup alongside the paper. For a useful home comparison, keep the coffee and serving strength similar, record what changed and decide which cup you prefer. Our pour-over method chooser compares the broader options.
Fixing Common Origami Brewing Problems
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| What you notice | First check | Next trial |
|---|---|---|
| Dripper leans or moves | Holder fit and level support | Reseat before adding hot water |
| Coffee is thin and sharp | Dose, total water and whether all grounds got wet | With those fixed, try a slightly finer grind |
| Water hangs above the bed | Paper fit, torn or collapsed pleats, excessive agitation | Fit a fresh paper; pour more gently, then consider coarser grinding |
| Bitter or drying finish | Roast level, strength and pour routine | Change one variable; a slower brew alone does not prove over-extraction |
| Different results after a paper change | New filter geometry and paper type | Keep a separate grind and timing note for each filter |
Caffeine, Calories and Serving Size
Plain Origami coffee has no added sugar. As a reference, a 240 g (8.5 oz) generic brewed-coffee serving is estimated at 96 mg caffeine, 2 kcal and 0 g sugar. Your beans, recipe and serving size affect caffeine.
Serving, sugar and sources
USDA Standard Reference record 14209 (page 546; caffeine on page 548) lists 40 mg caffeine, 1 kcal and 0 g total sugar per 100 g. Multiplying by 2.4 gives 96 mg caffeine and 2.4 kcal, rounded here to about 2. The reference is 240 g of collected coffee, not 240–250 g of brewing water. These are database estimates, not our measurement of either method above. Milk, sugar and syrups change the serving values.
Common Questions Before You Brew
Can I Use V60 Filters in an Origami?
Yes, compatible cone paper is one of its intended options. Check the size table: the commonly listed Hario pairing is 01 for S and 02 for M. Do not confuse a cone filter with trapezoidal paper that has a flattened seam across its bottom.
Which Filter Should I Try First?
Start with correctly sized cone paper if you want to track the method entirely by weight. Try wave paper to explore a different bed shape and pouring routine. Choose a paper you can buy consistently so comparisons are easier to repeat.
Does Origami Need a Holder?
Use a compatible holder or properly designed support. The free-standing dripper body does not provide the broad integrated base found on many other pour-over brewers. Check stability over the actual cup or server before brewing.
Is Air Better Than Porcelain?
Choose Air for lower weight and easier carrying, or porcelain if you prefer its weight and finish. Both accept cone and wave papers; match the size and care routine to your needs.
Editor's Take
Sources and Further Reading
8 references
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