Every now and then, a company not only changes the game, it changes what’s possible. It might sound hyperbolic, but I believe SIBARIST is one of those companies. The Barcelona-based product design firm has revolutionized the way baristas brew coffee with their proprietary FAST filter, which offers fuller, richer extractions while decreasing bitterness. I first met SIBARIST founder Joaquim Morató Pujol at SCA EXPO in Chicago. He surprised us with a demo of a new product he had been working on: a special edition filter for the Etkin 8-cup Dripper.
I recently caught up with Joaquim to learn more about his approach to product design.
What inspired you to make a better coffee filter?
In the beginning, our main purpose was to develop a product that has an impact on the cup. We knew that multiple parameters can be adjusted to try to achieve the best extraction, but in the end, all these variables are conditioned by a constant: the filter.
In 2017-18 we started to research. We observed that different filter compositions offered different permeabilities, drawdowns, and levels of cleanliness. In early 2019 we launched the FAST, a fast-flow filter that was able to produce clean cups with no added flavours. The filter is processed locally with premium materials and manufactured by us. Our focus is was to provide to the market a new tool, not just a filter.
I know your process is proprietary, but what can you tell us about your filters? How are they better than a normal paper filter?
We think that the Sibarist philosophy is what makes our products so special, there’s different factors like the fact of focus on quality not quantity. Costs are important but never can interfere with the goal. The purpose of the filter come first.
Another important thing is to be manufacturer and have the process super close and controlled. And finally, think out of the box or the willing to be innovative regarding the products in therms of filter technology, filter shape but also in the manufacturing process.
Last year the top three Brewers Cup competitors used a SIBARIST filter. How significant was that for you?
It was super exciting and an important moment for our team. This achievement reaffirmed our work and made us so proud.
When we launched the FAST, we were told we made a filter that produces under-extracted results. It took a long time to communicate that it was a tool to rethink the recipes for better coffee extractions.
Now, for us the confidence of the people who compete in our products is like a quality label that reinforces the reputation of our products.
In the same year the champions that got the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Coffee in Good Spirits and the Cezve/Ibrik competition also used our filters for their achievements.
Your filter for the Etkin 8-cup Dripper is a real game-changer. Now you can brew a liter of fully-extracted coffee in under three minutes. What was unique about this project?
We thought that the FAST technology wold be a super good option for the Etkin 8-cup Dripper due to the good performance with large amounts of coffee, but designing it was a challenge due to the shape. The Etkin Dripper’s super wide base and vertical walls forced us to redesign the geometric formulas that make the patterns for our FLAT filters. We had to create a new one with six folding areas. Positively, the short height in comparison to the base diameter makes the filter super easy to fold and prepare.
Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
Yes sure, we are keep developing new solutions to try the reach the best possible extraction of every coffee. At this moment we are exploring other brewing systems apart from percolation, adding new machines at our facilities to make new filter shapes like the waved ones, and also experimental solutions to alter the permeability
Photos by Andrew Cenci.
