Wild coffee made by cutting a plastic bottle! Comparing soft water and hard water on the balcony

The same morning, the same balcony. But just changing one tool can turn it into a special outdoor experience. With an improvised dripper made from a cut plastic bottle, why not make your favorite cup in a slightly wild yet luxurious way?

Preparation is just about cutting! Instant Dripper from a PET Bottle

A familiar sight on our home balcony. There’s no need to bring out elaborate camping gear. All you need to prepare is a used transparent PET bottle, a cutter or scissors, and your favorite coffee grounds.

Cut off the upper part of the PET bottle with scissors or a cutter, invert it, and stack it on the lower half. Just like that, you have created a somewhat wild and industrial "instant coffee dripper."

The uneven cut is part of its charm…

Due to my clumsy handling, the PET bottle didn't cut smoothly, and the edges became a bit jagged. But that's part of its charm. With just a little bit of effort and ingenuity, you can enjoy a handmade "craft-like" experience right at home.

As water boils in the kitchen, I watch the steam quietly rising from the kettle while brewing coffee in the living room. And once I step out onto the balcony with my favorite cup in hand, the familiar space transforms into my own special "secret base."

Soft water or hard water!? Playing with the comparison of coffee "water selection"

About 98-99% of drip coffee is made from "water." Therefore, the choice of bottled water is not just a matter of preference; it significantly affects the extraction of components that occur in the cup. This time, we verified the differences by actually brewing with easily obtainable "Suntory Minami Alps Natural Water" (soft water) and "Evian" (hard water).

Once the tools and water were ready, I brought hot water to the best seat on the balcony. Feeling the breeze, it was finally time to drip. I spread out my usual paper coffee filter on the upside-down bottle and added my favorite coffee grounds.

As I quietly poured the hot water from the kettle into the center of the grounds... an unexpected accident occurred. As I was pouring hot water slowly on the balcony, a dull sound of "beko!" came from the bottle below. It turned out that typical plastic bottles have a heat resistance of only around 50°C, and they couldn't withstand the heat of the hot coffee pouring in, causing the bottom of the bottle to rapidly deform. I panicked at the unexpected outdoor incident, but this was all part of the charm of a homemade experiment.
*I think it's better not to brew with boiling water.<

The bottom of the plastic bottle was so deformed it was barely standing upright...

Soft water is refreshing and mellow! It has an easy-to-drink finish.

When you take a sip of "Suntory Minami Alps Natural Water" (soft water), it has a crisp and easy-to-drink finish. It's surprisingly clear and refreshing! The inherent fruity acidity and gentle good aroma of the coffee beans spread directly in your mouth. Since it's similar to Japanese tap water, there's a comforting familiarity to it. Because it finishes without any off-flavors and is mellow, I felt it matched with any coffee beans perfectly.

Can it change this much!? Hard water delivers a robust drinking experience that is the best.

On the other hand, "Evian" (hard water) dramatically transforms the taste! The unique acidity is neatly subdued, allowing you to enjoy the deep richness and strong bitterness of the coffee directly. When you want to wildly savor coffee in the refreshing air of the balcony, this is the perfect choice. I tried it black this time, but I felt it also pairs excellently when you add a little milk to make a rich café au lait.

Even accidents are enjoyable; the bumpy craft gear gave me an exquisite time.

Even if the edge of the scissors gets jagged, or if the bottle shrinks with hot water, everything is fun entertainment. Even without perfect tools, just one idea can turn the usual balcony into an exquisite outdoor field. The time spent planning the next strategy, like "What water should I experiment with next?" is a luxury unique to days when you wake up early. Just this alone can make the start of the day feel a little more special than usual.

When the water boils in the kitchen, head to the balcony with scissors and a plastic bottle. Why not casually start a wild and slightly special morning time where even small mishaps are enjoyed with a smile?

Interview & Text / Yu Hari

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