V60 · Hario V60 (4:6 method)

How to Brew Coffee with the Kasuya 4:6 Method

The 4:6 method, modeled on Tetsu Kasuya’s publicly documented technique — the recipe he won the 2016 World Brewers Cup with. Five pours split 40/60: the first 40% of the water tunes sweetness and acidity, the last 60% tunes strength. A coarse grind makes it forgiving and repeatable.

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Ratio

1 : 15

20g coffee · 300g water

Water

92 °C

Off-boil ≈ 45s

Grind

Coarse

Comandante ~30 clicks (coarser than a typical V60)

Total time

3:30

±15 sec

Yield · 1–2 cups (≈300 ml)

What you need

  • Hario V60 02 (plastic or ceramic)
  • V60 02 paper filters (bleached)
  • Gooseneck kettle
  • Burr grinder (Comandante, Niche, or equivalent)
  • Scale with 0.1g precision + timer
  • Server / carafe

Method

  1. 0:00

    Rinse the filter, pre-heat the V60, and discard the water. Add 20g coffee, level the bed.

    Removes papery taste and stabilizes temperature.

  2. 0:00 – 0:45

    Pour 1: 60g water (to 60g). Let it drain.

    First 40% = sweetness/acidity. More water here early = brighter; less = sweeter.

  3. 0:45 – 1:30

    Pour 2: 60g water (to 120g). This completes the first 40%.

    Splitting the 120g into two pours is where you dial taste balance.

  4. 1:30 – 2:10

    Pour 3: 60g water (to 180g).

    Last 60% = strength. Three even pours here build body.

  5. 2:10 – 2:50

    Pour 4: 60g water (to 240g).

  6. 2:50 – 3:30

    Pour 5: 60g water (to 300g). Let the bed draw down; finish around 3:30.

    Drains too fast (<3:00)? Grind finer. Too slow (>4:00)? Grind coarser.

What you should taste

The 4:6 split is the whole idea: the first 120g of water (the “4”) sets the sweetness-to-acidity balance, and the last 180g (the “6”) sets how strong the cup lands. Want it sweeter? Pour less in the very first pour. Want it brighter? Pour more. Want a lighter body? Use fewer, larger pours in the back half. The coarse grind keeps it clean and forgiving.

About this recipe

Tetsu Kasuya won the 2016 World Brewers Cup using the 4:6 method, which he has since documented publicly. This recipe follows that documented approach — adapted for a standard home V60 kit.

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