Comparing coffee concentration using Orea V4 vs V60
Today, we're diving into an interesting topic for coffee enthusiasts and professionals: comparing coffee concentration (TDS - Total Dissolved Solids) between two popular brewers — the Orea V4 flat-bottom brewer and the iconic V60 brewer.
This is an advanced brewing topic, but I believe it's valuable for anyone passionate about consistently delicious coffee. Personally, I enjoy tracking the quality of my brews and continually refining my skills.
Measuring Concentration and Extraction Yield
For an objective comparison, I used the DiFluid R1 refractometer. This handy tool is excellent and pretty affordable, providing objective measurements that usually align closely with our taste perceptions.
To use refractometer, you simply add a few drops of your coffee and push the button. Make sure your liquid is cooled down as it affects readings. When you measure, keep pressing until you see 3 same numbers in a row.
Generally, a higher concentration (TDS) means a richer, heavier-bodied coffee—like the difference between a light tea and rich hot chocolate. Higher concentration typically leads to greater extraction yields.
What is Extraction Yield?
Extraction yield is simply the percentage of coffee's soluble compounds extracted into the water during brewing. Coffee has soluble compounds and insoluble particles; the latter remain in your coffee grounds. Typically, even with effort, you cannot achieve more than about 35% extraction yield. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends an ideal extraction yield between 18% and 22%.
The extraction yield is calculated using the formula:
Extraction Yield = Dose × Concentration
Total Liquid
Dose: Weight of coffee grounds
Concentration: TDS measured with a refractometer
Total Liquid: Coffee remaining after brewing (usually, coffee grounds absorb about twice their weight in water, slightly reducing the final coffee volume). For example is you're brewing 200ml and your Dose is 12g, you might end up having about 170-175ml of coffee.
Another popular method to estimate extraction yield uses the Brewing Chart Formula, though keep in mind this assumes brewing water at 93°C and a water ratio adjusted by multiplying water weight by 0.963.
To use Brewing chart, you go along the line that corresponds to your coffee-to-water ratio and find the intersection between this line and horizontal line that corresponds to the measured concentration.
Brewer Comparison
1. Orea V4 Brewer
The Orea V4 is a versatile flat-bottom brewer. It looks nice, it is compatible with Kalita paper filters or standard V60 paper filters (with the special Negotiator tool). For today's experiment, I'm using Kalita paper filters.
2. Hario V60 Brewer
My V60 is the classic size 02, made of plastic, as this is usually better for the heat retention during brewing. I used CAFEC paper filters, known for their consistency.
Brewing Method:
- Dose: 12g coffee
- Water: 200g (Brewing ratio 1:16; calculated as 200 * 0.963 / 12 = 16.05)
- Bloom: 40g water, 30-second bloom
- Second pour: Add water to reach 120g total; wait until fully drained
- Third pour: Top up to 200g
Experiment Results
Orea V4
- Brewing time: 2 minutes 20 seconds
- Dose: 12g
- Water used: 200g
- Final coffee output: 169.8g
- Concentration (TDS): 1.49%
V60
- Brewing time: 2 minutes 30 seconds
- Dose: 12g
- Water used: 200g
- Final coffee output: 170.7g
- Concentration (TDS): 1.48%
According to the brewing chart, both coffees are considered slightly strong – with 21.5% Extraction yield.
According to the formula, extraction yield is 21%, almost the same.
Analysis
Interestingly, we observed no significant difference in extraction yield or taste between the Orea V4 and V60 under controlled brewing conditions. Initially, I expected the flat-bottom brewer (Orea) to extract slightly more due to increased water-ground contact area.
Why Still Choose the V60?
Although the Orea V4 excels in versatility, balance, and ease of use, there are still compelling reasons to choose the V60 in certain brewing situations:
- Small coffee doses: With doses around 8g or smaller, you must maintain a minimum coffee bed height of about 2.5cm. Flat-bottom brewers generally can't achieve this. So for a single person dose V60 usually accomodate me better. Conversely, very large doses might suit flat bottom brewers better.
- Experimentation: The V60 offers more freedom for experimenting—especially when playing with agitation, pour methods, and brewing techniques.
Conclusion
For most of our beans, I'd recommend the Orea V4 due to its versatility and consistency. However, the V60 can yield equally fantastic results if you're precise and maintain the recommended 1:16 ratio. V60 is also cheaper if you're on budget :)
Thanks for reading—happy brewing!