Hario Mizudashi vs Takeya Side-by-Side Comparison
Hario Mizudashi cold brew coffee maker vs Takeya. Two Japanese manufacturers with two very different concepts of a cold brew coffee maker.
Specifications
Design
The Hario scored well for its build quality, but it fell short on the key fundamentals of the lid and filter design. Overall, the design did not contribute to producing a good quality brew.
The Takeya was shipped to us in just a plastic sleeve in a parcel package. It’s a very durable product, so some may not mind the minimal packaging. However, a proper box would look nicer and might also be good for long term storage or moving.
Usability Comparison
The Hario Mizudashi is really easy to use because it requires little effort. Additionally, it is easy to brew without having to measure out the grounds or water. The tall size is a little troublesome when hand washing, but everything is dishwasher safe. Our key issue, however, is with the non-airtight design.
A key highlight of the Takeya is how easy brewing and decanting was. The overall design is quite practical, but the filter could be fitted better. Cleaning also required a little more attention than we initially anticipated.
Brew Quality
The Hario Mizudashi was an overall poor performer. The brew lacked complexity and had an overall sourish taste. This was largely down to a short filter, a poor brew ratio, and a non-airtight vessel. One way to improve the brew quality would be hot blooming where you pour hot water over the grounds and allow to bloom for 30 to 40 seconds before pouring cold water.
We found that the Takeya produced a medium-strength brew of reasonable quality, which could be expected from its brew ratio of around 1:9. While the brew was quite smooth to drink, it wasn’t particularly robust. We feel it’s a good brew to mix with a milk base. The filter, however, is not so well constructed and can give varying results.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Attractive brew decanter
- Easy-to-clean filter
- Color choice
- Hot or cold brewing
- Air tight brew decanter
- Cold or hot (tea) brewing
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable & light weight
- 1 and 2 quart sizes
- Color choice
- Not airtight
- Odor contamination
- Poor brew quality
- Inadequate packaging
- Included instructions inadequate
- Filter cleaning
Conclusion
The Hario Mizudashi is a product by one of Japan’s leading coffeeware manufacturers, Hario. The tall, slender glass carafe is quite attractive and will fit even a small refrigerator door. The delicate glass makes cleaning cumbersome, but the filter has a removable base.
Despite its attractive looks, the short filter of the Hario Mizudashi and its brew ratio (1:14) does not produce a worthwhile cold brew and the vessel itself is not airtight. For these reasons, we do not recommend the Hario.
The Takeya, on the other hand, is a very convenient design that is also well executed. The unique filter, with a 1:9 ratio, screws into the lid and you can shake the vessel during brewing and even lay it on its side. The Takeya is lightweight and made in the USA from highly durable Tritan plastic. Its drawback is the number of parts it separates into for cleaning.
Behind the Comparison
Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.
