BACK IN METAL
The OREA V1 and V2 made their debut precisely 5 years ago (from the launch of this unit). To celebrate this big milestone in their history, OREA wanted to release something special, inspired by everything learned in 5 years and looking ahead to the next 5. In fact, this version of the OREA brewer has been in the works for about 3 years, a process of finding the right approach and the right manufacturing partner that could meet their requirements. Through some luck and serendipity, this unit came to be at the perfect time, launching 5 years from the first metal brewer OREA ever launched.
When OREA stopped making the V2, due to increasing metal costs (in the past years, the raw material cost has more than doubled) a lot of folks were disappointed, and OREA understands that. They were too. But sometimes, moving away from something helps reveal the problems around it and helps to identify better alternatives. The V2 involved a lot of machining, post-processing, and it was solid metal, which brought some usability issues. What’s here is not only nicer to use, but a better proposition overall.
HERITAGE
Metal is part of OREA’s heritage and it definitely is part of their future. Their metal brewers helped them make their first connections, with people that have shaped their journey. They’ve been in people’s homes, in cafes, and in brewing competitions. They’ve been brewed on boats, in deserts, jungles and even nightclubs.
RAW, POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL
This brewer is made from a high grade stainless steel that OREA imports from South Korea. It’s probably “aerospace grade”, but more importantly OREA wanted to work with something very consistent reel to reel and very food grade. On the interior wall, this specific unit is electropolished, which helps avoid “metallic” taste, which should not be experienced when using this device. On the exterior, they are hand-polished to a semi-rough finish, which OREA loves as it is somewhere between a brushed finish and a mirror polish.
DOUBLE-WALL CONSTRUCTION
An important distinction from the V2 is that this brewer is double-walled. This double-wall creates a cushy air pocket that will keep heat in the brewing chamber and it will not be very hot to the touch when handling the brewer. The brewing effect is somewhat similar to OREA’s plastic brewers as a result, due to a consistency of heat and low radiative effect. In fact, the exterior temperature is usually 20 degrees cooler than the plastic wall of the O1 while brewing. The result is a smooth, balanced cup that OREA brewers are very known for.
YOUR FOREVER BREWER
OREA sees a lot of people still using their original metal brewers today, and they look great. But this one is another level up on that. Steel is more durable than aluminium, and this particular unit is totally uncoated, dishwasher safe, and can last for generations. It resists stains and can be cleaned thoroughly if needed. Use it year after year after year and never buy a brewer again. Not so good for OREA, but really great for you.
ICONIC DESIGN
Engineers are not always OREA’s favourite people. They constantly say what OREA wants is impossible. They always want compromises and changes to make things easier to manufacture. But OREA is stubborn. They searched, pushed, and challenged them until they found a way to make exactly what they wanted. They wanted this to look like all of their other brewers, simple, fine curves, precisely elegant in the way they want it to be. The result is flawless and uncompromising, and OREA is incredibly happy with it. OREA is incredibly stubborn, and this is why their work is always a little unique and true to their vision. They did not want just a metal brewer, they wanted to make the O1, precisely in the form you see. What was in their mind is now in front of you, with zero alterations.
VALUABLE, ENDLESSLY RECYCLABLE
OREA chose steel because it is a valuable material. As a result of its value to society, steel has an incredibly high recoverability rate. 75% of the steel ever produced in human history is still in use today. Steel products have a recoverability and recyclability rate of around 90%, some of the missed recoverability has been attributed to wars, shipwrecks or natural disasters. In normal settings, steel products are recovered and recycled because the material is very valuable. Steel is infinitely recyclable too, meaning that it can be turned into new products time after time.
This is an important point on circularity and sustainability. OREA uses thin sheets of metal, and very little raw material per unit. While it is energy intensive to produce, it will last virtually forever and at the end of its use, it is most likely recovered and recycled into something else that is useful.
UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION
To pay homage to the V2, OREA wanted this unit to be a beautiful unibody piece. A solid steel base is precision-welded to the double-walled body to add heft and stability. OREA wanted to avoid a two-piece brewer, or using other materials (like others that use silicone) to create the base. They wanted something that feels good, solid, and is like the plastic O1 brewers that people love already.
MADE WITH CARE BY HUMANS
OREA visited their factory twice in the process of making these brewers to see how they work, what the standards are, and to understand and capture each step of the process. A lot of hands touch one of these brewers, cutting, shaping, shaping some more, welding, polishing, laser etching, testing, quality control, packing, shipping. A brewer is something simple to most people, but OREA asks that it’s remembered that making something is not easy. There are a lot of steps, a lot of masters at each one, and a lot of people involved. OREA wants their products to be as affordable as possible, but they also want to work with good factories and pay a fair price.
WHY THEY MADE THE O1 (BABY O)
Another brewer? Really? Yes. Because many have asked for this and OREA can explain exactly why. OREA stopped making small, compact, 155 size brewers a few years ago. They wanted to focus on one size to make things easy, from paper guidance to supply chain. Bigger brewers are versatile, but small brewers excel in two main areas that many people care about.
BETTER FOR SMALL DOSES
A lot of OREA customers brew single doses (10 to 18g) and want a format that fits that range better. A smaller device allows the brewer to get closer to the bed of coffee with the kettle spout, giving more control on application of water and control of agitation. It also has less material and thus will take away less heat over the brew from the coffee slurry.
EASIER FOR TRAVEL
A smaller brewer is a lot easier to pack on the go. It weighs less and fits in more corners of a bag. It’s simply an easier object to bring around, and that matters to a lot of folks.
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THE O1
THE OREA TASTE PROFILE
OREA calibrates their brewers by taste, not by arbitrary numbers. They design using taste buds, with a process that involves bending the design to give the dream taste profile from each device, in its own way. They tend to calibrate with people they respect in the industry, people with great taste. They are always aiming for balance, clarity, and clean vibrancy. This has helped create the “OREA taste profile” which so many people love and which is present in all of their brewers. This unit is no different, a new material, the same beautiful taste profile.
ORIGINAL OPEN BOTTOM
OREA’s original OPEN bottom design has featured in their glass, porcelain and V4 plastic brewers for years. The OPEN bottom provides a ridge for the flat paper to stand on, designed to find the perfect balance of support and space. The paper naturally bends through the middle, encouraging a more central flow of water through the coffee bed. With this style of brewer, OREA finds their most unique profile of acidity, with a more conical flow pattern through a shallow flat bottom bed. Candy-like acidity without sacrificing balance, sweetness and body. A masterpiece that has been much duplicated but not yet replicated.
SUPREMELY CONSISTENT
This design has been praised for years by OREA customers for consistency brew to brew. In a way, it is the design where OREA interferes least, letting gravity dictate how water flows and how the bed can behave. They love the inherent simplicity and the consistency it brings. The profile in the cup sits somewhere between conical brewers and traditional flat brewers, brighter and clean acidity, but a lot of balance. This bottom produces a lighter, more tea-like body than other flat bottoms, which many praise and love. If thicker body is the goal, OREA recommends the V4 or Z1 brewers.
BREWING OPTIONS
The O1 is very flexible. It can be brewed in various ways and used with different types of paper, which can be found around the world from many suppliers.
BREW WAVE
Wave filters are easy, fast, and extremely available around the world. They allow more bypass, airflow, and create a narrower bed. Usually under the same parameters, they result in a less concentrated brew. Many like them for ease of use, plug-and-play nature, and quick brew times. The O1 is compatible with traditional 155 Wave sized paper and OREA’s SMALL sized Wave paper.
BREW FLAT
Flat filters are fun, delicious, and offer a higher quality of brew due to a lowering of bypass and the creation of a wider, shallower bed of coffee in the brewer. Many like them for juicy, sweet, full-bodied cups they help create by ensuring more water passes through the coffee and less around it. The O1 is compatible with the SMALL 155 OREA Flat Filters and the SMALL 155 Sibarist FAST Flat Filters.
EXPERIMENT
There is no right answer to which kind of filter to use. It depends on what is valued. OREA continues to explore and support many brewing styles across their flat bottom brewers. They love seeing people try a lot of sometimes weird approaches. It’s in the spirit of OREA, and they hope that never stops.
OREA X APARAT
This unit is released as a collaboration with themselves. Yes, that’s right. OREA collaborated with themselves to form a new brand that will take on design challenges beyond coffee to life. APARAT is formed to honour true material properties, celebrating the RAW potential of steel, aluminium, and perhaps beyond. It is an appreciation of material beauty and finding solutions through simple, honest forms, exploring mechanical properties to make useful objects. What will APARAT design next? Stay tuned for that. Follow the journey at APARAT.UK.
SUPPLY CHAIN CHOICES
OREA makes the STEEL O1 in China with a family-run metal products manufacturer. They have visited them twice already, to see each step of the process and how all work is carried out. They work directly with the owners and feedback is taken to heart. The products are treated with special care and respect, and they are not the cheapest, for sure. But OREA wanted to work with the best. From the raw materials sourced to the openness of visits and filming, it’s been a strong partnership from day 1. OREA knows the pricing to customers will never be the lowest, if that’s the priority, there are other companies to shop from. OREA is focused on quality and paying back in the value chain, supporting those that do business the right way.
