Clever Coffee Dripper is a coffee filter device invented by Taiwan's EK INTL company. The bottom of the filter cup is equipped with a controllable switch valve, which can freely adjust the soaking time of extraction. It is convenient and easy to use, so it is named "Smart Cup". There are many filter cups with on-off valves on the market that are sold under the name "Smart Cup" by merchants, but in principle only those sold under the Mr. Clever brand can be called "Smart Cup".
The design of the smart cup is inspired by HandyBrew, another product of EK INTL for making tea. Infusion extraction is its biggest highlight. Smart cups can usually be divided into two layers: the outer layer is the frame that supports the filter cup, and the inner layer is the cup body with a push-type switch valve. As long as it is placed flat on the table, the valve will be closed, the coffee liquid cannot flow down, and the powder water will be soaked. When the soaking is completed, the middle of the base plate will be pressed, causing the piston valve to open and allow the coffee liquid to flow into the container.
Compared with direct drip filter cups such as v60, the smart cup has the function of immersion extraction, which allows water and coffee powder to be in continuous contact in the container. Immersion is less affected by the water injection method and is easier for beginners to replicate the basic flavor of coffee. Flavor substances will change the flavor and concentration of coffee depending on the water temperature, powder-to-water ratio, grinding thickness, and soaking time.
Brewing filter coffee with a smart cup is the same as brewing coffee with a cup filter paper. If the same coffee beans are ground too coarsely under the same water temperature, powder-to-water ratio and extraction time, the coffee flavor will easily be insufficiently extracted, resulting in a bland flavor and lack of hierarchy. If the grinding is too fine, the coffee flavor will easily be over-extracted. That is, after the flavor substances are extracted, the coffee powder will still release unpleasant flavors such as wood when it is in contact with hot water, resulting in a strong coffee flavor but an unpleasant smell.
Front Street recommends that the smart cup brewing medium light roasted coffee beans use a medium-fine grinding (the No. 20 standard sieve passes 75%-80%); the medium and dark roasted coffee beans use a medium-coarse grinding (the No. 20 standard sieve passes 65%-70%).
If the water temperature is too high, the release rate of coffee flavor will be accelerated and over-extraction may occur. If the water temperature is too low, the release rate of coffee flavor will be slowed down and under-extraction may occur. Front Street recommends using a smart cup to brew medium-light roasted coffee beans at 90℃-91℃; medium-dark roasted coffee beans at 88℃-89℃.
Front Street conducted brewing experiments using different powder-to-water ratios and filter cups based on the SCA Gold Cup extraction standard, and found that the coffee extraction rate using 1:15 brewing was roughly 17.79%-18.73%. Although the golden cup is only on the edge of meeting the standard, sensory testing found that the flavor is very suitable and suitable for brewing most coffee beans.
Next, Front Street conducted a brewing demonstration using Costa Rica Boulder Manor blueberry coffee beans. Water temperature: 90℃, powder amount: 15g, powder to water ratio: 1:15, grinding degree: medium to fine grinding (Chinese standard No. 20 screen pass rate 75%)
① Fold the filter paper and place it in the smart cup. Place the smart cup on the container. When wetting the filter paper with hot water, you can preheat the appliance at the same time.
② Move the smart cup to the electronic scale (the valve will automatically close at this time), and pour ground coffee into the center of the filter cup. Inject 30g of hot water into the first section, press the timer, and steam for 30 seconds; after steaming, pour hot water to 225g, and then soak for 1'50".
After soaking, move the smart cup to the container, open the valve, and filter out the coffee liquid in the filter cup. The whole process takes about 15 seconds, and the total coffee extraction time is 2'05'.
Due to immersion extraction, the concentration of coffee can be adjusted according to your own preferences, such as the ratio of powder to water or the length of soaking. The coffee brewed in the Smart Cup has a higher degree of cleanliness, good body, and a mellow sweetness.
Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style)
For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee on private WeChat, WeChat ID: qjcoffeex
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
