Honoring the Innovator
Before we begin, I want to acknowledge my friend Horia Cernusca, the founder and inventor of OREA Brewers. He has pushed flat-bed brewing into a new era with designs that prioritize consistency, flow dynamics, and durability. Fun fact: OREA means mountain in Greek — a fitting name that aligns perfectly with our theme at Newbery Street Coffee Roasters.
Pack "Newbery St.", Ply "Rogue Wave", Jose "Abu Coffee", Horia "Orea"
Why Flat-Bottom Brewers?
Flat-bottom brewers have been around since 1910, when Melitta Bentz introduced the first pour-over. Over time, they became known for their consistency, heavier mouthfeel, and rounded flavors. Brewers such as Kalita, April, Lili, and Stagg X share these traits:
- Slower flow rate
- Partial immersion during brewing
- Fuller-bodied cups with rich texture
Many coffee drinkers prefer this style because it emphasizes body and balance, compared to cone brewers (like Hario V60 or Origami) which highlight clarity and brightness.
Discovering OREA
In 2021, we came across the OREA V2. At first, we assumed it would perform like other flat brewers. Instead, we discovered something very different:
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Fast flow rate – requiring finer grind settings, similar to V60 brewing.
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Consistency – repeatedly hitting ideal extraction levels (1.25–1.35% TDS).
- Durability – strong, lightweight, and easy to clean, perfect for high-volume service.
What struck us most was how OREA combined the clean, expressive clarity of cone brewers with the reliable consistency of flat-beds. For our workflow at Newbery Street Coffee, this balance was a game changer.
Growth and Recognition
Since the early V2, OREA has expanded into multiple models: V1, V2, V3, V4, O1, and Z1 (a zero-bypass brewer capable of brewing excellent cups with as little as 12g of coffee).
OREA is also now a fixture in coffee competitions worldwide:
- Used by elite baristas like Ply Pasarj, Paul Ross, Matteo D’Ottavio, Joë Jellybean, Sam Spillman, and Alireza Razzaghzadeh.
- Sherry Hsu (2022 World Brewers Cup Champion) and Martin Wölfl (2024 Champion) both won on OREA.
- At the national level, competitors like John Dixon (Black & White Coffee Roasters) and myself (Pack Katisomsakul, Newbery Street Coffee Roasters) have trusted OREA on stage.
This global recognition validates what we experienced: OREA brewers deliver competition-level performance in both professional and café settings.
Why the OREA V4 for Our Pop-Up
For our café pop-up at Merai Bar in Brookline, we chose the OREA V4 for several reasons:
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Durability & Food Safety – Built from BPA-free polypropylene, approved by FDA and EU standards, and fully dishwasher-safe.
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Modular Design – Comes with four interchangeable bases, allowing us to fine-tune flow rate and adapt recipes to different coffees.
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Efficiency in Service – Lightweight, strong, and easy to clean, making it ideal for handling multiple pour-overs during busy hours.
- Educational Value – Many of our customers either own or plan to own an OREA.
By using the V4, we can share recipes and techniques that they can replicate at home.
Final Thoughts
The OREA V4 brings together the body and balance of traditional flat-beds with the clarity and speed of cone brewers. It’s consistent, durable, and adaptable — making it the ideal brewer for both competition stages and pop-up cafés.
For your local coffee roasters, Newbery Street Coffee Roasters, it’s not just a tool — it’s the brewer we trust to showcase the coffees we love.