Orea Z1

Here we go!

Z1 era.

The Perfect Filter?

To make the best brewer, we teamed up with the best paper filter company: SIBARIST. We tested all of the available papers on the market (and even filters not made from paper) to find the best-fit for the Z1. The SIBARIST FAST paper filter shone the brightest, giving us everything we wanted. A fast brew with unparalleled brightness, clarity, and sweetness. We worked hard to find the right ways to make this filter accessible, matching our per-filter price of our traditional paper filters (Wave, Type G) when you buy a bigger pack of filters.

Paired with the Best Filters.

The SIBARIST FAST paper was the FIRST fast-flow paper filter, with a unique construction that encourages fast flow but maintains quality filtration. It is the paper of choice for brewing competitors and the best cafes around the world to get the best out of each brew. For this device, it was the BEST fit, by far. We love it across all types of coffee and in all conditions.

SIBARIST are a small, independent company, just like us. Unlike us though, they're based in sunny Catalonia, near the city of Barcelona. Everything around this paper is sourced from the local region and is manufactured and packed in their factory in Catalonia. We were really impressed by Kim and Lambert's (the founders) dedication to source and support the local community. This de-facto means it cannot be the cheapest filter in the world. But it is the BEST - and that is what our customers deserve as default.

Unique Size

We'll be honest - at first we tried to design around some existing conventions, either for things like Aeropress or for other zero bypass brewers. Our testing indicated that all these existing conventions were just not good for this format of brewer. We settled on our bed size of 7CM as the best size for the perfect extraction at these doses. While you have to use filters unique to us, it was the BEST choice for the BEST results. We were not willing to compromise.

Low Waste

Using the Z1 reduces your paper waste by 7X compared to traditional brewers, due to the massive reduction in paper size. This paper size is also smaller compared to other devices in this category. Additionally, in a zero bypass environment, it's easier to brew at wide ratios, using less coffee to reach tasty cups, which can further reduce your daily impact.

Drip Assist

To make the best brewer, we teamed up with the original (and best) drip assist: MELODRIP. The brainchild of Ray Murakawa, the Melordrip stole our hearts many years ago for its simple design, efficiency, and reactive nature. We really thought there is no need to re-invent the wheel here. Ray's design is perfect, at the perfect size, and the company is independently run by a passionate person. We're super happy to build around this tool!

The MELODRIP is the original and best drip assist. We have tested them all - clones and weird interpretations alike. Time and time again, we return to the MELODRIP because it just has a special something. The hexchamber design produces the right amount of pressure so the diffused droplets reduce agitation, but flow fast enough to transfer proper amount of heat. The design also ensures that water is diffused precisely beneath the pour point which is not found in other diffusion accessories that have come after.

The MELODRIP was conceived back in 2015, when Ray became obsessed with finding a way to control heat, hydration, and agitation separately. At the time, any method of applying heat and hydration also unintentionally caused agitation, making it impossible to isolate their individual effects. Controlling agitation to this degree opened up a new discussion about flavour clarity, the effect of particle suspension on filter paper, and the importance of undisturbed percolation in brewing. Without Ray's work, this category of device may never have come to be.

The Brewer

Brewing coffee is simple: hot water meets ground coffee, with filtration optional. But we can do so much better than that. As product folks, it's our job to bring you the best tasting experience with the least effort - no matter where you are. Better devices can instantly amplify your experience, which can only be good for the whole coffee value chain. With the Z1, we have condensed everything we have learned over the years into one simple and fun device that uses some of the best components in the industry to bring you something you will enjoy more every single day. This is something worth tasting.

BYPASS is not a monster, but it is not great either. Four years ago we became popular for inventing a low bypass brewing method in the OREA V2 which carried on to V3 and V4. Our research showed that by lessening bypass, we should get more full, vibrant, delicious brews. BYPASS happens when water seeks the path of least resistance and rather than going through the coffee bed, it escapes through the gaps and spaces left between the paper and brewer in traditional brewers. This low extraction liquid brings bitterness, astringency, dryness and emptiness in the final brew.

Traditionally, zero bypass brewers are known for being slow. We are not the patient types - looking at a brewer for 6-8 minutes is just not our thing. We pioneered the era of the fast flat bottom brewer, making the old guys look truly vintage in the process. It's our turn to do that here too - adding a sprinkle of supersonic on a sleepy extraction method. Fast, clean, juicy brews are possible without bypass - thanks to the Z1. Welcome to the revolution!

Yes, yes, yes - overpriced, plastic, over hyped - but damned fine coffee.

Dripper and Melodrip Made in Taiwan

Sibarist Filters Made in Barcelona Spain.

Please note - the Orea Z1 ships without filter papers.

Sibarist Z1 filters availalbe here.

Check out Orea's Site here for more info.