Do you usually collect coffee drippers or other coffee accessories? I believe that while the flavour of a good cup of pour-over coffee is certainly important, an even more important part is the ritual of brewing: slowing your thoughts, watching the water flow through the coffee, and listening to each drip fall into the server. This ritual matters greatly to me. Without it, I feel that the coffee is no different from an ordinary can of coffee bought on the street—it is merely a drink, rather than coffee.
Today, I would like to share a coffee brand that I have recently become completely captivated by: Kalita. When I was young, I often saw its products at Log on or city super, including coffee grinders and drippers in various shapes. However, I only truly came to know the brand after watching a television programme about a coffee shop with a history of twenty or thirty years. The movement of the coffee grounds, the shop's interior and the brewing equipment all evoked the atmosphere of Japan's Showa era. From that moment on, the brand left a lasting impression on me.
Why do I like Kalita drippers?
The main reasons are their visual design and how the Kalita Wave/Copper series performed even better than I had imagined when brewing, including in areas such as aroma, which I will explain in detail below. They also add to the sense of ritual—the shape of the Copper dripper is genuinely beautiful, and the sandstone series is also excellent. I finally found the hardest-to-locate Kalita Wave Copper 101 dripper at a physical shop. Whenever I use it, I feel as though I am sitting in a Japanese coffee shop from the 1970s to the 1990s, which inspired me to write this article.
That concludes the introduction. Today, I would like to share these six Kalita drippers pictured here as possible starting points for anyone entering the world of Kalita.
Choosing a Kalita dripper for pour-over coffee
Kalita offers many drippers made from different materials and designed for different brewing methods. Among the best known are the “Kalita Wave Copper dripper”, the “KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic coffee dripper” and the “Kalita Wave stainless-steel dripper”.
Dripper shapes
Familiar examples include the shallow 101 and 102 drippers with ribs moulded into the interior, and the hollow, low cylindrical Kalita 155 and 185 models. There are, of course, also many designs with different flow characteristics, including three-hole and four-hole versions.
Material options
Kalita drippers are available in copper, stainless steel, ceramic, resin and even glass. Ceramic models are also produced using different firing methods, all of which affect the taste of the coffee.
Kalita therefore offers a dazzling number of models to choose from. Here, I am sharing the following 6 drippers, all of which I acquired over the past six months and can recommend.
My experience with Kalita drippers
I more often use conical drippers, including models from Origami, Lao Yan Ni and Timemore. I find that they all have good flow rates, and some can even be used to try a Japanese flannel-filter pour-over method—please refer to an earlier clip on Instagram. However, stability and flavour can vary considerably from one brew to the next. On mornings when I am not yet fully awake before work, one or two cups out of ten will inevitably go wrong. Sometimes the grounds clog and the flow slows, leading to an overly concentrated extraction and a muddled taste. By the time I finish the cup, my whole Good morning mood is ruined. Then one day, I happened to buy a Kalita to try. Most of my brewing needs can be handled with wave-shaped filter papers, while the dripper's flow design is relatively stable and offers a greater margin for error. Even when my mind is still foggy in the morning, the flavour may not be exceptionally delicious, but it is at least stable enough to deliver what I want. Over time, I have come to use it for five out of every ten cups—especially when my brain has not yet woken up—to help preserve that Good morning mood.
Review – Kalita 101-CU DRIPPER
About the Kalita 101-CU DRIPPER
The Kalita 101-CU DRIPPER is a coffee dripper made by Kalita. It is known for its distinctive three-hole design, which provides an even flow of water and produces pour-over coffee with a consistent taste. The design also supports a slower extraction that can bring out rich flavours. The dripper is made of copper, a material that absorbs heat effectively and helps maintain a warm extraction environment. A higher temperature increases the extraction rate, which can enhance the coffee's flavour.
Product information for the Kalita 101-CU DRIPPER:
- Brand: Kalita (Carita)
- Colour: Copper
- Feature: Heat retention
- Included component: Filter
- Quantity: 1
- Capacity: 2 cup
- Material: Metal
- Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.4 x 4.6 inches
- Weight: 0.2 kilograms (approximately 7 ounces)
- Manufacturer: Kalita (Carita)
- Product model: 101-CU
- Release date: 2013-3-9
My experience with the Kalita 101-CU DRIPPER
Review – KALITA TSUBAME ＆ Kalita WDC-155 copper dripper
About the KALITA TSUBAME ＆ Kalita WDC-155 copper dripper
Created through a collaboration between KALITA and Tsubame, this product is a top choice for coffee professionals. Its three-hole drip design enables faster filtration while preventing unwanted flavours. The stainless-steel and copper materials conduct heat quickly, reducing variables during brewing and unwanted flavours caused by temperature changes. The product is handmade by Japanese craftspeople in a renowned Japanese centre of stainless-steel production. Its metal construction is strong, durable and acid-resistant. The product uses a dedicated cake-shaped filter paper with 20 pleats, reducing the contact area between the filter paper and the coffee. Its minimalist craftsmanship and refined texture combine elegant sophistication with practicality, making it difficult to put down.
Product specifications:
- Model: #04105 WDC-155
- Materials: Copper, stainless steel
- Dimensions: 113 × 113 × 76 mm
- Weight: 177g
- Suitable for: 1–2 cups
- Place of import: Japan.
My experience with the KALITA TSUBAME ＆ Kalita WDC-155 copper dripper
Review – Kalita Wave 155 stainless-steel dripper
About the Kalita Wave 155 stainless-steel dripper
The Kalita Wave 155 is a stainless-steel dripper for pour-over coffee. Its base features a distinctive flat-bottomed design with three small extraction holes, and it uses patented wave-shaped filter paper. The dripper's interior contrasts sharply with the filter's 20 wave-shaped grooves. Together, they allow the water to flow evenly and at just the right speed. As a result, excessive water does not accumulate, ultimately producing a rich and evenly extracted cup of coffee. It offers an exceptionally high margin for error, so it is often used for camping and travel and is also one of the most popular choices in coffee shops.
Product specifications:
- Model: #04105
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 113 × 113 × 76 mm
- Weight: 177g
- Suitable for: 1–2 cups
- Place of import: Japan.
- Dishwasher safe
- Requires Kalita Wave 155 filter paper
Kalita Wave 155 stainless-steel dripperReview
Review – Kalita x Hasami SG-101 sandstone clay Hasami-ware dripper
About the Kalita x Hasami SG-101 sandstone clay Hasami-ware dripper
The Kalita x Hasami SG-101 is a collaboration between two respected names in the world of coffee: Kalita and Hasami. Kalita is a Japanese company known for its high-quality coffee drippers, while Hasami is a Japanese town renowned for its porcelain. The SG-101 is made using Hasamiyaki, a traditional porcelain-making method that has been used for centuries. The result is a beautiful and highly forgiving functional coffee dripper.
The SG-101 is a good option for anyone looking for a high-quality coffee dripper. It is made from durable materials and handcrafted by experienced artisans. The three drainage holes and ribs help create an ideal space for airflow between the dripper and filter paper, allowing the coffee to extract more evenly. The SG-101 is also available in a range of colours, so you can choose one that matches your style.
- Name: Kalita x Hasami SG-101 coffee dripper
- Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.7 x 2.6 inches (11.8 x 9.4 x 6.7 cm)
- Weight: 10.6 oz (310 grams)
- Material: Ceramic (sandstone, Astelasco stone)
- Country of origin: Japan
Features:
- An ideal air space created between the three drainage holes and ribs, between the filter and dripper
- Slim yet sturdy design
- Handcrafted by experienced artisans
- Made using Hasamiyaki (Hasami ware), a traditional porcelain-making method
- Available in a distinctive pure white, as well as other colour and material versions
Kalita x Hasami SG-101 sandstone clay Hasami-ware dripperReview
Review – KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic coffee dripper SG-155
About the KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic coffee dripper SG-155
The KALITA＆HASAMI SG-155 is the result of a collaboration between Japanese coffee-equipment company Kalita and Japanese ceramics company Hasami. It is made from a blend of sandstone and Amakusa stone, giving it a warm, natural colour and a slightly rough texture. The dripper has a flat bottom with three small holes that help extract the coffee grounds evenly. It comes with Kalita Wave filter paper designed to prevent water from accumulating and producing bitterness. The KALITA＆HASAMI SG-155 is a product chosen by coffee enthusiasts who place great importance on the beauty and craftsmanship of Japanese ceramics. It is also a good option for anyone who wants to brew clean and delicious coffee.
Product specifications:
- Product name: KALITA＆HASAMI SG-155
- Product type: Ceramic pour-over coffee dripper
- Material: Sandstone and Amakusa stone blend
- Dimensions: 110 x 110 x 80mm (1–2 cups)
- Weight: 280 g
KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic coffee dripper SG-155Review
Review – Kalita WDG-155 dripper
About the Kalita WDG-155 dripper
The Kalita WDG-155 is a single-cup glass dripper designed to produce a smooth, full-bodied cup of coffee. The flat-bottomed design and wave-shaped ribs help create a more even immersion, while the heat-resistant glass body ensures that your coffee stays hot. The polypropylene handle makes it easy to hold and pour, and the dripper is dishwasher safe for added convenience.
The Kalita WDG-155 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simple, easy-to-use coffee dripper. It is made from high-quality materials and is dishwasher safe, making it ideal for beginners and experienced coffee enthusiasts alike.
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.5 x 2.2 inches (12 x 9 x 5.5 centimetres)
- Weight: 5.3 ounces (150 grams)
- Materials: Heat-resistant glass, polypropylene (thermoplastic)
- Country of origin: Japan
Features:
- Flat-bottomed dripper with three holes
- Wave-shaped ribs on both sides create a more even immersion
- Heat-resistant glass body
- Polypropylene handle
- Dishwasher safe
Kalita WDG-155 dripperReview
Which Kalita pour-over coffee drippers made the strongest impression?
If you ask which made the strongest impression on me, I would name the following two. The first has to be the Kalita Wave Copper 101 that I recently acquired. Anyone who follows my Story will know that I bought some DAK beans. Over the past one to two weeks, I have tried them many times with this dripper. I had initially thought the issue was my pour-over technique, but it seems to place the coffee's entire central flavour right in front of your nose, including certain flavours or aromas. The juiciness of one coffee had not been very pronounced, but after I used this dripper, it became extraordinarily explosive and presented itself directly in front of me. I do not know whether this was due to the kettle or the design. I have now tried it several times with the same result described above: the central flavour stands out in a single direction. If there are flavours that you feel you cannot normally bring out when brewing, I think this dripper is worth considering.
Another Kalita dripper I enjoy using – KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic dripper
The second is the KALITA & HASAMI Hasami-ware sandstone ceramic dripper. It gives you a very stable flavour direction and offers an exceptionally high margin for error. You can use it to brew virtually any new beans, with outstanding stability and a balanced flow rate. Unless you are specifically pursuing a particular flavour or have other special requirements, I think it is a very good choice.
Conclusion: My experience with Kalita drippers
There is actually much more I could share about this brand. However, I only recently bought several of its new drippers and have used them for less than two to three weeks. I will also buy products and accessories from other series, such as a pour-over kettle or the next G2 electric grinder. I hope to share a more detailed version when I have the opportunity, perhaps by filming a video and publishing some of the information on our website. I will let everyone know then. That is all for today!
