Hailing from a historic metalworking region of Japan, KOGU is turning heads within the coffee community for blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with sophisticated, function-forward designs to elevate coffee (or tea) brewing both in style and function. 

When this exceptional collection of Japanese-made stainless steel teapots, kettles, and pour-over drippers landed in Canada, I felt compelled to look a little closer at KOGU, and how they’ve succeeded in bringing age-old tradition into the homes of modern coffee enthusiasts across the world.  

KOGU: Crafted with Ancient Japanese Technique

Why is KOGU so impressive? I’ll say it has to do with how, and where, everything is manufactured. Every product comes from the same Japanese region of Tsubame-Sanjo, famous for its metalworking heritage where centuries-old standards and practices are upheld to modern day.  

The streets of Tsubame-Sanjo are quiet, but its factories have been bustling with production since the Edo Period around 422 years ago, manufacturing world-renowned steel goods including Japanese-style knives and tableware that many have sought throughout history (even royalty).

Here, each metalworking technique is derived through ancient practices that have slowly evolved over time, making Tsubame-Sanjo one of the best places on earth to source steel products, housing over 5,000 artisans and factories.  

KOGU Product Review: When Brewing Great Coffee, Keep it Simple

KOGU is one of Tsubame-Sanjo’s skilled artisanal workshops, distinguished by specializing in stainless steel Japanese coffee equipment and tea ware. Careful not to overcomplicate, KOGU manufactures each product to showcase the unique quality of its material and the natural flavour in coffee and tea.   

Let’s take a look at one of my picks: the KOGU Stainless Steel Medium Pour-Over Dripper, crafted with an open-wire frame and 18-8 Stainless Steel. 

I love this wall-less design not just because it’s elegant; it also provides optimized airflow, an intuitive, often overlooked benefit to manual pour-over coffee. By allowing gasses to escape and incorporating air into the brewing process, the flavour potential in every bean can be fully expressed while ensuring a smooth, balanced extraction. 

While its performance is impressive enough, I was enchanted by the history of meticulous precision and artistry poured into every KOGU Pour-Over Dripper. Each individual stainless-steel spoke is hand-attached to the drip opening using traditional manufacturing tools, and only the Pour-Over Drippers that pass KOGU’s rigorous quality control earn the seal of approval. 

So, what’s the takeaway? I discovered that the KOGU Pour-Over is the perfect coffee brewing method for all experience levels. The minimalist, approachable design is excellent for beginners (and easily transportable), while the premium stainless steel material provides more than enough reliability for those seeking to brew delicious coffee for a lifetime. 

Curious to try for yourself? Check out this KOGU Medium Pour-Over Dripper Recipe: 

Materials: 

• KOGU Medium Pour-Over Dripper
• KOGU Two Pour-Over Kettle Pro 
• KOGU Medium Cotton Paper Filter (2-4 Cups) 
• Digital coffee scale 
• Medium-fine ground coffee of your choice (preferably light to medium roast) 

Coffee:Water = 26g : 400g 

00:00 (bloom): Pour 80g hot water 

00:45: Pour 220g hot water (300g total) 

2:00-2:05: Pour 100g hot water (400g total) 

4:00-4:30: Finish brew 

Enjoy! 

Note: it’s important to control your pouring speed while brewing! Using the gooseneck spout of the KOGU kettle, keep a steady stream and pour in a circular motion to ensure even coffee extraction. 

Conclusion: Multiple Products, One Philosophy

In addition to the pour-over dripper (yes, I’m still talking about it!), KOGU offers a wide range of coffee and tea equipment, all Japanese-made in Tsubame-Sanjo. Just some of my other favourites include a stainless-steel Double-Layer Tumbler, ITTEKI Pour-Over Kettle, and Kyusu Teapot. 

If you scan through the KOGU line like I did, you’ll notice a uniform aesthetic characterized by functionality and simplicity, where everything has its purpose, and where the beauty in each product is derived from its material.  

Whether a travel coffee mug or a tea pot, everything is crafted in Japan by KOGU with one goal: to make manual brewing effortless and enjoyable.