How Do You Brew Geisha Coffee Beans with the Clever Cup?

The Clever Dripper combines immersion and drip in one device. Laid flat, its press valve stays closed so grounds and water steep together; pressing the base opens the valve and the coffee flows into the container below. Because immersion is less dependent on pouring skill than a V60, beginners can repeat the basic flavor, and cleanup is quick.

The design came from EK INTL's HandyBrew tea tool, and many specialty shops now use it as standard equipment. Water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, grind size and immersion time all change the result. Wash and sort the beans before grinding, since what do you call grinded coffee beans matters less than an even particle size; geisha coffee beans and other light roasts suit the method well.

The Clever Dripper stands out among pour-over devices, having gained international recognition and being chosen as standard equipment in many specialty coffee shops. Its low operational threshold means even beginners can easily brew good coffee, and it's equally easy to clean, making it a staple in many homes. The inspiration for the Clever Cup came from EK INTL's tea tool HandyBrew, with the core being immersion extraction: when laid flat, the valve closes, allowing the coffee grounds and water to fully interact; after immersion, pressing the valve lets the coffee liquid flow into the container below. Compared to drip-style drippers like the V60, it adds an immersion step, making it less susceptible to pouring technique interference, so beginners can more easily replicate the basic flavor. In this article, Front Street Coffee will share the complete brewing process for the Clever Cup, parameter suggestions, and suitable coffee bean types and flavor directions.

The Clever Dripper stands out among pour-over devices, not only gaining international recognition but also being designated as a specified device by many specialty coffee shops. It is simple to operate, allowing even pour-over beginners to easily make themselves a good cup of coffee, and cleaning up afterward is quite effortless, making it one of the essential brewing tools for home use.

The concept of the Clever Cup originates from EK INTL's another tea product, HandyBrew, with immersion extraction being its most prominent feature. This dripper generally consists of two layers: the outer layer provides support, while the inner layer is the cup body with a press-type switch valve. As long as it is placed flat on a table, the valve remains closed, preventing coffee liquid from flowing down and keeping the grounds and water in an immersed state. After immersion is complete, pressing the center of the base opens the piston valve, allowing the coffee liquid to flow into the container below.

Compared to direct drip drippers like the V60, the Clever Cup additionally features immersion extraction, which means letting water and coffee grounds remain in continuous contact within the container. Immersion extraction is less dependent on pouring technique, making it easier for beginners to replicate the basic flavor of coffee. Water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and immersion time all affect the release of flavor compounds, thereby altering the coffee's flavor and strength.

The Clever Cup can be said to combine the strengths of both the French press and the pour-over dripper, providing a fully immersed environment like the French press while retaining the filtration function of the pour-over dripper.

Using the Clever Cup can be very simple: place a filter paper, add coffee grounds, pour in enough hot water, wait a few minutes, then place the Clever Cup on a mug, and the coffee liquid will automatically flow out. Below, Front Street Coffee will explain the process of making coffee with the Clever Cup.

① Fold the filter paper and place it in the Clever Cup, set the Clever Cup on a container, and use hot water to rinse the filter paper while also preheating the device.

② Move the Clever Cup onto an electronic scale (the valve will automatically close at this point), and pour 15g of ground coffee into the center of the dripper.

Regarding parameters, Front Street Coffee uses a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15, with a medium-fine grind (75% passing through a Chinese standard No. 20 sieve). Set the water temperature to 94℃, pour in 225g of hot water, cover with the lid, and wait for 4 minutes.

After immersion is complete, move the Clever Cup onto a container to open the valve, allowing the coffee liquid in the dripper to filter out, and a cup of coffee made with the Clever Cup is ready.

What coffee beans are suitable for pairing with the Clever Cup?

Actually, the Clever Cup follows the same bean selection approach as most filter coffee devices, and coffee beans used for pour-over can also be used in the Clever Cup. The grind size can be the same as recommended for pour-over, or slightly coarser. Front Street Coffee prefers a coarser grind than for pour-over, with 75% passing through a standard No. 20 sieve.

If you prefer fresh flavors like floral and citrus, you can choose washed coffee beans from Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe and Guji regions, as well as Panama's Geisha coffee beans.

If you enjoy the sweet and fruity taste, you can choose honey-processed coffee from Costa Rica. If you prefer nutty and chocolatey notes, you can choose coffee beans from Brazil and Papua New Guinea.

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The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.