What's It Like Brewing Coffee with the Wacaco Pipamoka?
I’m always on the hunt for new ways to brew coffee. Most often, all devices fall into a few key categories … pouring water over coffee (e.g., pourovers) or immersion (e.g., French press or Aeropress). Beyond that, we have espresso. That means almost all brew method devices fall into one of those three categories.
The Pipamoka by Wacaco falls squarely into the immersion category. By immersion, I’m talking about adding water to the grounds and letting them sit (or immerse) for a specific period of time before filtering the coffee grinds and pouring out the brewed coffee. Coffee in a French press stays immersed for 4 minutes, whereas the coffee in an Aeropress is less than 2 minutes. So what is the Pipamoka, and how does it work?
According to the Wacaco website:
Pipamoka brewing technics set it apart from other devices. Its patented construction, paired with its innovative twisting mechanism, generates vacuum pressure inside the mug. This negative pressure generated a suction force that draws hot water downwards through the coffee grounds. The coffee is then brewed directly into the insulated thermal mug where it will stay hot for hours.
To me that Pipamoka closely resembles an AeroPress. However, where the Pipamoka differs is how the coffee is extracted. With an AeroPress, coffee is pushed (or pressed) through a paper filter and basket into a cup. Instead, the Pipamoke utilizes a twisting motion that creates vacuum pressure for extraction. It also features a metal filter rather than a paper one used in an Aeropress (although you can purchase reusable metal filters).
The most important question then is … how does the coffee taste?
Simply put, it tastes like how coffee tastes when using most immersion-type of brew methods. What is noticeable to me are two distinguishable features, both involving metal. First, the Pipamoka utilizes a metal filter and filter basket. Second, you brew directly into a metal mug. What that means is I can taste the metal. It’s no different than if I brewed coffee using an Aeropress into a metal mug. And with the metal filter, it impacts the flavor. This is not a good or bad thing, nor right or wrong. It all comes down to preference. I happen to prefer paper filters and porcelain or glass mugs. Again, personal preferences. I also still like brewing coffee with a French press that uses a metal mesh/filter when pouring.
The Pipamoka is a smart device and a fun way to brew coffee. I highly recommend it. It’s easy to use and clean up. Whenever I go camping or make coffee at events, I throw the Pipamoka into one of my totes to have with me. It’s simply too fun not to use. It’s worth a try!