V60 vs Origami Filter Paper: Taste Test Comparison

Comparing V60 and Origami-Style Filter Papers
When it comes to brewing coffee, the choice of filter paper can really make a difference in your cup. I recently tried both V60 and Origami-style filter papers using Alishan coffee from Galaxy Cafe in Taiwan, along with the DF64 Gen 1 V4 grinder fitted with SSP Cast burrs V2. Here’s how they stack up.

Design and Structure
The V60 filter paper is designed for the Hario V60 dripper, which has a conical shape with spiral ribs. The paper is usually thicker and comes in both bleached and unbleached varieties. The spiral ribs are great for ensuring even water flow and extraction.

On the other hand, the Origami-style filter paper is made for the Origami dripper, which has a unique folded design. This paper tends to be thinner compared to the V60 filters and also comes in bleached and unbleached options. The folds in the paper contribute to a distinctive water flow and extraction pattern.

Brewing Parameters
I used the same grind setting for both filters, which was a medium to medium-coarse grind. The coffee used was Alishan from Galaxy Cafe, and the grinder was the DF64 Gen 1 V4 with SSP Cast burrs V2. I brewed at 90°C with a ratio of 18g of coffee to 300g of water, divided into four pours: 50g for blooming (40 seconds), followed by 80g, 80g, and finishing with 90g.

Extraction and Flavor Profile
With the V60 filter paper, the conical shape and spiral ribs help in achieving a clean extraction. The thicker paper tends to catch more sediment, resulting in a cup with a fuller body and good clarity. The coffee’s brightness and acidity were prominent, giving a well-rounded flavor profile.

The Origami-style filter paper, with its unique folding design, delivered a cup with noticeably higher clarity. This filter allowed the delicate flavors and aromas of the Alishan coffee to come through more distinctly. While the body was lighter compared to the V60, the sweetness and acidity levels remained quite similar.

Results and Personal Preference
From my experience, the Origami-style filter paper provided a superior level of clarity, which really brought out the nuanced flavors of the coffee. Although the V60 produced a cup with more body, I personally preferred the clearer finish of the Origami-style filter. The enhanced clarity made the coffee feel more refined, even though the sweetness and acidity were comparable between the two filters.

In summary, both filters have their strengths. The V60 is great if you’re looking for a cup with more body, while the Origami-style filter excels in delivering a cleaner, clearer cup. For me, the higher clarity of the Origami-style filter makes it the better choice, as it aligns more closely with my taste preferences.