Hario Woodneck 03

Equipment notes

The Woodneck is a nel (cloth) drip brewer from Hario, the Tokyo heatproof-glass maker founded in 1921; its official name is the Drip Pot Woodneck, after the wooden collar that wraps the neck of the glass server. Nel drip is the classic brewing method long cherished in Japan's kissaten coffee houses, and the Woodneck is the set that made it accessible at home. The 03 is the larger size, brewing three to four cups at once. The cotton flannel filter, stretched over a ring with a handle, has no ribs and no drain holes, so flow is governed entirely by the weave of the cloth and how you pour. Unlike paper, the cloth lets coffee oils through, producing a soft mouthfeel and a heavy, sweet, full-bodied cup. With the larger size the coffee bed runs deep, so pacing your pours in stages matters. Hario officially recommends keeping the napped (fuzzy) side facing inward, where the wet nap forms a fine filtering layer. Boil a new cloth first to remove the starch, and never let it dry after use; rinse it well and store it submerged in water in the refrigerator. Bloom the grounds, then pour in thin circles at the center and finish within about three minutes, per Hario's guide. This is a brewer for those who want to serve several kissaten-style cups at once, rich, oil-forward and velvety.

Filters that fit

• Hario Nel Cloth 03Default