The V60: A Brief History — Mortal Minds Coffee Roasters

It’s impossible to be all things to all people.

That is, unless you’re an elegantly designed piece of equipment perfectly crafted to create a super clean and “dialed in” cup of coffee. If that’s true for you, then congrats! You’re a Hario V60.

But seriously. If you’re super into coffee, chances are that you’ve at least heard of the Hario V60.

Doesn’t ring a bell? It’s all good. That’s why we’re here.

Here are some pics taken from the Mortal Minds V60 Brew Guide.

In recent years, the Hario V60 (or just “the V60”) has risen in popularity among amateur coffee lovers and professionals due to its versatility and clean, crisp, and complex results. The unique design allows the brewer to easily adjust each variable of the brewing process and really “dial in” the recipe to get the best results for each specific coffee bean and blend.

But before we go into the design, who the j*#@ is Hario?

If you go on their website, global.hario.com, you find out that they have been leaders in glass serving-ware for over 100 years. in fact, translated from Japanese “Hario” literally means “King of Glass.”

When they started in 1921, they began creating lab equipment - everything from beakers and test tubes to volumetric flasks. In 1964, they created their first-ever coffee brewing apparatus - the coffee syphon (still in use today).

A modern version of the original coffee syphon.

Another thing we love mentioning is that Hario only uses refined, natural minerals, heated by electric, which substantially decreases their environmental impact. So, when you’re brewing with any Hario product, you know you’re doing the right thing (and you’re about to have a great cup of coffee).

Early on, in an age of immersion techniques and with Chemex ruling the pourover scene, Hario scientists sought after perfecting this method and even speculated that it may just be the best method with which to brew a crisp and clean cup of coffee. Of course we know that now, but this took some serious brain power at that time.

Enter the parabola.

The conical V60 within the “Shape of Nature”

As is shown in the image above, the scientist took a queue from nature and used a mathematical curve, the parabola, for their design. The “V” sits perfectly within the curve and rises at a 60 degree angle. Hence the name “V60.”

It took a while for the first V60 to arrive. It debuted in 2004. Surprisingly, although the company is known for its superior glass products, it was ceramic. However, the unique design, with the conical shape, efficient, spiral-ribbed surface, and wide opening, proved to be the most elegant and versatile pour-over method available.

These days the V60 is offered in many different sizes and materials. But the design remains uncompromised, tried, and true.

I guess those scientists knew what they were talking about!

Hop on over to our youtube channel to see our Hario V60 Brew Guide!