The Nine Lives Coffee Roasters filter brew guide uses the Origami plastic dripper with the Comandante C40 grinder. The recipe varies by coffee processing method: natural coffees use conical filter paper at 13.5–14g / 215–220g water; washed coffees use flat bed filter paper at 14g / 220–225g water. All coffees should rest 10 days from roast date before brewing. Grind setting: 24 clicks on the Comandante C40.
This guide covers why these variables matter, how to adjust when the cup isn't right, and how to get the most out of specialty coffee at home.
What Is the Origami Dripper and Why Use It?
The Origami dripper is a Japanese-designed pour-over brewer compatible with both conical and flat bed filter papers. This dual-paper compatibility makes it technically versatile — one dripper produces meaningfully different cups depending on the paper used.
The plastic version costs significantly less than the ceramic version and performs identically. It is one of the most affordable quality drippers available, with the widest range of online recipe references of any dripper in its category.
NLCR uses the Origami across all its coffee bars for this reason: it adapts to the coffee, rather than forcing the coffee to adapt to it.
The Complete Brew Recipe
For Natural Processed Coffees
| Variable | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dripper | Origami (plastic) |
| Filter paper | Conical |
| Dose | 13.5–14g |
| Brew volume | 215–220g water |
| Water temperature | 93–96°C (off-boil) |
| Grind (Comandante C40) | 24 clicks |
| Target brew time | 2:30–3:30 |
For Washed Processed Coffees
| Variable | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dripper | Origami (plastic) |
| Filter paper | Flat bed |
| Dose | 14g |
| Brew volume | 220–225g water |
| Water temperature | 93–96°C (off-boil) |
| Grind (Comandante C40) | 24 clicks |
| Target brew time | 2:30–3:30 |
Adjust grind first if brew time falls outside the target range. These are starting points — adjust to your specific coffee and equipment.
Why Filter Paper Type Matters
Conical filter paper produces a longer, more turbulent water flow through the coffee bed. This adds body and rounds out the flavour — suited to natural coffees, which already carry fruit and sweetness from their processing. The result is fuller and more integrated.
Flat bed filter paper restricts flow differently, producing a cleaner extraction with more defined individual notes. Washed coffees — brighter, more delicate by nature — benefit from this clarity. The precision of the coffee comes through more distinctly.
Using the wrong paper for the process doesn't ruin the cup. But using the right paper makes a measurable difference.
Why 10 Days Rest Matters
Freshly roasted coffee contains elevated levels of CO2 produced during the roasting process. During brewing, this gas escapes through the coffee bed — visible as the bloom in the first pour. Too much residual CO2 causes uneven extraction: the gas interferes with water penetrating the coffee evenly, resulting in inconsistent flavour development.
At 10 days post-roast, CO2 has off-gassed sufficiently for even extraction. The coffee tastes like itself.
Brewing at 3–5 days is possible but produces a less consistent cup. Brewing past 6 weeks is also possible, but oxidation begins to dull the finer notes. The 10-day mark is where the coffee performs best.
How to Troubleshoot Your Cup
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, thin, underdeveloped | Under-extracted (grind too coarse, water too cool) | Grind finer; increase water temperature |
| Bitter, heavy, harsh | Over-extracted (grind too fine, contact too long) | Grind coarser; reduce brew time |
| Flat, no flavour | Under-rested coffee; water too cool | Check roast date; increase water temperature |
| Inconsistent cup to cup | Inconsistent grind, dose, or pour | Weigh consistently; grind fresh each time |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grind size for Origami filter coffee? On a Comandante C40, 24 clicks is a reliable starting point. This produces a medium grind suited to a 2:30–3:30 target brew time with the Origami. Adjust finer if the cup is sour or underdeveloped; coarser if it's bitter or heavy.
Should I use conical or flat bed filter paper for the Origami? Use conical paper for natural-processed coffees and flat bed paper for washed-processed coffees. Conical produces a rounder, fuller cup; flat bed produces a cleaner, more defined cup. The processing method on your coffee bag tells you which to use.
What water temperature should I use for filter coffee? 93–96°C, or off-boil. Lighter roasted specialty coffees need higher water temperature to extract fully. Dropping temperature to 85–88°C for "safety" typically results in under-extraction and sour flavour.
How long should I rest coffee before brewing? 10 days from the roast date. This allows sufficient CO2 off-gassing for even extraction. Check the roast date on the bag and count forward.
Can I use a different dripper with this recipe? Yes, with adjustments. The recipe is calibrated for the Origami. V60, Kalita Wave, and similar drippers will require grind and ratio adjustments. The paper-to-process principle (conical for naturals, flat for washed) still applies if those drippers support different paper shapes.
Where can I buy Nine Lives Coffee Roasters beans for filter brewing? Available at ninelivescoffee.co and at The Alley Penang. Single-origin coffees are labelled by processing method so you know which filter paper to use.
What is the Comandante C40? The Comandante C40 is a hand grinder used across all NLCR coffee bars. It produces consistent grind quality across a wide range of settings, has the most extensive online recipe reference library of any hand grinder, and is available at an accessible price point.
Shop Nine Lives Coffee Roasters Single-Origin Coffee →
Nine Lives Coffee Roasters is a specialty roastery based in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Available online at ninelivescoffee.co.