On more than one occasion, I’ve embarrassed myself by brewing coffee outside and spilled a freshly brewed cup into a flimsy mug. camping the table. Not to mention, lighter packers would defy the weight of my coffee gear — a sacrifice necessary to avoid instant coffee. Enjoying a high-quality joe in the open air feels special, though, which is why I always bring a coffee-making setup.
Finally, I found a very simple option: MiiR Pourigami. Combined, the pyramid-shaped dripper fits more than any trusty travel mug. When taken apart, this Miir Pourigami is like a card holder, thin enough to fit in my pants pocket. It works like other pouring setups, which means I can still dial in the tasting notes. If you’re like me and think about coffee no matter what the circumstances, this great setup lets you play barista in any environment.
Looking at Miir Pourigami
Yes, that’s the coffee maker in my hand.
Right out of the box, Pourigami looks great. Disassembled, the brewer consists of three stainless steel trapezoids. I can’t imagine the pieces bending or crushing — which is important, since I’m used to breaking camping equipment. In the hand, the dripper remains flat, taking a rectangular size smaller than 10 x 16 centimeters. Weighing in at 8 ounces, the brewer isn’t a featherweight, but offers great portability nonetheless. Contained in a self-contained synthetic case, Pourigami fits easily into any bag.
Honestly, I’m terrible at paper origami, but assembling this brewer into a pyramid is a breeze. It only takes me 20 seconds to slide the three indents into the right places — no confusion in the design. The finished dripper holds firmly without shaking and comes apart easily.
Combined together, the interior forms a triangular pyramid structure that can accommodate anywhere #2 cone-shaped filters. I find that Miir filters are available shop online works very reliably, creating smooth streams without slipping. Not to mention, filters based on paper brand are compostable, small but satisfying environmental win. The accompanying filter is readily available, making the Miir Pourigami easy to set up and access to brewing.
Making Pourigami
Pouragami works like other pour-over coffee devices.
If you have used emptying containers like a V60, Chemex or a Kalita WaveMiir Pourigami is a common place. A dripper requires a source of hot water, the aforementioned paper filter, and a cup or carafe to hold the coffee. A kitchen scale and thermometer help make it more accurate, but I produced stronger cups while looking at the measurements by eye.
It’s best to follow the brewing rate to get the most out of the brewer, especially if you’re familiar with its flow. The Miir brand suggests 21 grams of single-origin beans and 23 grams of blends, each extracted with 300 milliliters of water. Using water heated to 90 degrees Celsius, I have found these measurements to be reliable, as long as the extraction is completed at the three and a half minute mark.
Pouragami works similarly to Chemex but with better portability.
Compared to my V60, the Miir Pourigami takes longer to draw, so a stronger grind helps keep the water moving. As a result, the vessel is best suited for full cups of medium and dark roast coffees. The quality of the grind is important: You’ll want a firm but uniform consistency. I have used both portables MiiR Coffee Hand Grinder as well as Baratza Encoreto great success; I would avoid using a blade grinder in this setup, though. Away from home, I’ve asked coffee shops to grind the beans — I’m asking for one click stronger than the V60. Ground coffee is a very convenient way to drink on the go.
Pourigami’s steep interior makes filling coffee grounds easy – no need to carry a gooseneck kettle around. I have used jet-boil powered camping kettles and even cooking pots to make excellent cups of coffee, making sure to use hot, unboiled water. As long as I time the process, using Miir Pourigami is not necessary.
What does Pourigami filter coffee taste like?
The coffee I brew turns out to be light-bodied, but rarely weak or watery.
As with all pour-over coffees, the beans greatly influence the flavor. I produced the most flavorful MiiR Pourigami cups using a medium roast mix — think grocery store beans like Stumptown’s Holler Mountain Blend. Such bags respond well to the tough grinding required and are forgiving in outdoor conditions. Miir Pourigami interprets soft notes of acidity and sweetness, rarely leaning on burnt flavors. The coffee turns out to be a little bodied, similar to other filter settings, but I never made a cup that tasted weak or watery.
If there is something wrong with this dripper, it is that the coffee is sometimes too acidic, which is a sign of slow extraction. For this reason, I avoid making soft roasts with Pourigami — not that I’m packing good beans for camping. A bold, medium-roasted cup hits the spot after a night in the tent.
Is Pourigami worth it?
Coffee makers are lighter and more portable than Pouragami.
At home, I don’t often mix up my Purgami, instead settling on the trusty espresso machine or whipping out V60 soft cups. When I cook outside the house, however, Pourigami is my top choice. In addition to camping, I’ll pack a brewer in my suitcase for flying, making the occasional cup while on the go.
Before getting the model, I used to camp with a plastic V60 dripper, which I had hacked between camping machines. The AeroPress definitely goes better in terms of durability, but it can be difficult to find a solid surface suitable for heavy immersion. Strong and durable, the Miir Pourigami is an easy win, making it easy to install in a car camper, backpacker park, or even in a bikepacking setup.
Retailing for $35, it’s a well-designed coffee gadget that justifies the price point. Creative design is not a trade-off for coffee quality. I’m happy to use the Pourigami several days in a row – the metal material is a breeze to clean. Whether you’re at home or on the go, the brewer doesn’t take up much space, making it a reliable favorite.
