OREA is a UK Company that specializes in developing unique coffee brewers from recycled plastic waste. One of their main goals is to create products that last, and this ethos reflects in the design and quality of the brewer.
But how well does it brew coffee? In this article, we’ll delve deeper into brewing with the OREA V3 and provide our thoughts on the outcomes.
Backstory: OREA V1 & V2
In January 2021, the company produced its first batch of 40, called the ‘OREA Brewer V1’ but only for a selected group of beta testers. During this time, the brewer was made of Anodised Aluminium.
The OREA V2 was released in late March 2021, this time for public release at 1000 units, and sold to over 50 countries. This brewer comes in black and silver, with inner ridges and a wider bed compared to V1.
The next update was in August 2021, with the OREA V2 MK2 which has the inner ridges removed for more consistency and a faster drawdown time.
Orea V3: 100% Made of Waste
The OREA V3 is made from a premium BPA-free plastic called Trogamid which has superior thermal properties. With a 5-hole flat bottom, you can expect a much faster flow rate and drawdown. This gives versatility in your grind setting and pouring styles.
The product initially suffered a poor batch, but rather than sending the units to the recycling center, the founder managed to save 99.5% of these units through new post-processing methods. The base was also made out of scrap waste from a sports bottle manufacturer.
From its resilient history, the OREA does reflect a resilient nature. It comes with “Ice” and “Frost” variations and unique bases to match each style.
The latest release, V3 Basalt – a competition edition is now available and is made from food-safe Polycarbonate for optimized thermal stability.
Experience With The OREA
Getting an OREA V3 can be challenging since there are limited units available. The desire was sparked by positive reviews from coffee professionals. Finally, after exploring the available options, we chose the OREA V3 Frost Large/185 Semi-matte with the Ocean base and were excited to try it.
The brewer is lightweight yet incredibly durable. You won’t have to worry about breaking it, and the material feels more premium compared to most plastic-built brewers. It’s also easy to pack, making it convenient for both long and short trips.
Paper Filters for OREA
To brew with the OREA V3, you can use the Kalita Wave paper filter. If you have a large OREA V3, both the smaller Kalita 155 and 185 filters fit well, depending on the amount of coffee you want to brew.
Another method you can use is the Negotiator Paper Filter along with the Negotiator Tool. The tool is used to easily fit the paper filter into the brewer by punching it downwards. This paper filter is specifically designed to create a faster and more consistent flow rate compared to the Kalita Wave paper filter.
Lastly, you can explore the Specialty OREA paper filters from Sibarist. These filters are designed to ensure no bypass while also providing fast drawdown and greater pour control.
Brewing with The OREA V3
By using the OREA brewer in combination with the Kalita paper filter, the drawdown was relatively fast, and the taste had a brightness. The initial brewing method was a 3-Pour Method with 12.5g of medium coarse coffee, at a temperature of 90°C.
Then we experimented with OREA’s brew guides and one that we particularly liked was the Base Recipe #1. It follows a 4-Pour Recipe, including the Bloom, with 50g of water for each pour lasting 30 seconds. The resulting brew had a well-rounded balance of acidity and brightness.
If you would like to try a finer grind, adjust your temperatures to be lower. If you are going for a coarser grind, try a higher temperature range. The thermal insulation within the brewer is very effective, and the key is getting a consistent flow rate from your grind size, pouring method and water temperature.
OREA V3 Base Recipe #1
After trying various methods, Base Recipe #1 from OREA’s brew guide provides a good starting point. Here is a simple guide on the method that will bring great balance and clarity to your cup.
Brewing Method
1. Pre-wet the paper filter and empty the server.
2. Ensure the grinds are evenly distributed in the brewer with a slight vertical tap.
3. Each pour will be 50g of water at a 30 sec interval, totaling to 200g brew weight and around 2 minutes of total brew time.
4. The 1st pour (bloom) will be 50g of water. Pour with a circular motion around the flatbed and back to the center. (0:00′-0:30′)
5. Continue with the 2nd pour with another 50g of water. (0:30′-1:00′)
6. Continue with the 3rd pour with another 50g of water. (1:00′-1:30′)
7. Continue with the 4th pour with another 50g of water. (1:30′-2:00′)
8. Allow the coffee to draw down from between 2:00 – 2:30 and not more.
9. Once finished, give it a stir and allow more time for the coffee cool down.
Conclusion
The OREA V3 unquestionably elevates coffee brews and adds noticeable brightness. Not only does it introduce nuance and clarity to the flavor, but it also adds the element of fun through the opportunity to experiment with higher temperatures and various pouring methods.
Was it worth getting it? Absolutely. Along with the attached base, It exudes a cool aura that catches the eye. Not only is it enjoyable to brew with, but it also represents owning a piece of recycled waste that can be proudly displayed on your shelf.
If you are seeking a one-of-a-kind brewer to add to your pour-over collection, this is truly one of them.
Thanks for reading. We hope these tips will help you elevate your brewed coffee! Follow Art Of Brew on Instagram and Twitter or share your thoughts in the comments below.
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