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Small Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers
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Small Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers
Introduction
Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages in the world, with millions of people starting their day with a cup of joe. If you have a friend or family member who loves coffee, you might be wondering what to get them as a gift. Fortunately, there are plenty of small but thoughtful gifts that will make any coffee lover happy. In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite small gift ideas for coffee lovers and provide links to corresponding Amazon products.
Coffee Mug
A good coffee mug is an essential part of the coffee experience. Whether your coffee lover enjoys a classic design or something more quirky, there’s a mug out there for them. You can choose from a variety of materials, such as ceramic, glass, or stainless steel, and even personalize the mug with a special message or design.
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Coffee Bean Grinder
Freshly ground coffee beans make all the difference when it comes to the taste and aroma of a cup of coffee. A coffee bean grinder is a great gift idea for a coffee lover who takes their coffee seriously. Look for a small, easy-to-use grinder that can be adjusted for different types of grinds.
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Coffee Scoop
A coffee scoop is a small but useful tool that allows coffee lovers to measure out the perfect amount of coffee every time. You can find coffee scoops in a variety of materials, such as wood or stainless steel, and even ones with fun designs.
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Coffee Dripper
A coffee dripper is a great gift for coffee lovers who prefer a single cup of coffee over a full pot. Drippers come in a variety of designs and materials, such as ceramic or stainless steel. They are also very easy to use and clean.
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Coffee Travel Mug
For the coffee lover on-the-go, a travel mug is a must-have. Look for a travel mug that is easy to clean and has a good seal to prevent spills. You can choose from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel or plastic, and even find ones with fun designs.
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French Press
A French press is a classic coffee brewing method that is loved by coffee enthusiasts. It is a simple and easy way to make a delicious cup of coffee at home. Look for a small, easy-to-use French press that can make 1-2 cups of coffee at a time.
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Milk Frother
For the coffee lover who enjoys a latte or cappuccino, a milk frother is a great gift idea. Look for a handheld frother that is easy to use and can create a thick, creamy froth. You can also find electric milk frothers that can froth milk in seconds.
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Coffee Art Stencils
For the coffee lover who likes to get creative with their coffee, coffee art stencils are a fun gift idea. You can find stencils in a variety of designs, such as hearts, leaves, or even famous landmarks. Simply place the stencil over the foam on top of the coffee and sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
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Coffee Table Book
For the coffee lover who also loves to read, a coffee table book is a great gift idea. Look for books that feature beautiful photography and interesting stories about coffee culture around the world.
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Coffee Scented Candle
For the coffee lover who can’t get enough of the aroma of coffee, a coffee scented candle is a great gift idea. Look for a candle that smells like freshly brewed coffee and is made from natural ingredients.
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Coffee Bean Roaster
For the coffee lover who wants to take their love of coffee to the next level, a coffee bean roaster is a great gift idea. A small, home roaster allows coffee lovers to roast their own beans and experiment with different roasts and flavors.
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Coffee Tumbler
A coffee tumbler is a great gift for the coffee lover who likes to take their coffee with them wherever they go. Look for a tumbler that is easy to clean and has a good seal to prevent spills.
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Conclusion
If you’re looking for a small but thoughtful gift for the coffee lover in your life, there are plenty of options to choose from. From coffee mugs to coffee subscriptions, there’s something for every coffee lover. And if you’re still not sure what to get, consider one of the Amazon products we’ve suggested. With so many great options available, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life.
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7 best gift ideas for a coffee nerd 2020
Every one of us has one person in our life, who is the biggest coffee-nerd we have ever met. They love coffee so much that they can drink it for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. They are always on the lookout for cafes that sell amazing coffees and are supercritical about everything.
For those nerds in our life, presenting them an item which scratches their coffee itch is the best thing to do. There are so many items that your loved ones who adore coffee will enjoy.
In this blog, we will present you with a few ideas, and you can choose the one that suits your friend the most.
1. Coffee grinder
A coffee-lover should have a grinder, especially if they make coffee using beans. If your friend or family member is missing one, you should try to find the one which is worth the money and produces ground coffee which provides café-like quality roast.
Here are some options:
Rocky Rancilio coffee grinder
Breville the smart grinder pro
Porlex mini coffee grinder
2. Nespresso compatible pods
If your friend is always on the move and misses their warm home-made cup of joe, pods coffee is a great idea for them. They ooze luxury but taste delicious. Also, most people are shifting towards pods coffee as they are biodegradable. A person can make espresso using pods without a machine by pouring hot water over the pod.
There are tons of flavors available, which you can see by checking pods flavors online.
3. Coffee subscriptions
A coffee lover is always looking to try new beans or flavor. So, do your research and find the best coffee subscription options available in your region. Who won’t appreciate regular and fresh delivery of coffee on their doorstep every month?
4. A portable mini espresso machine
A mini espresso machine which is portable as well is a perfect gift for a coffee lover. It gives them a great way to always drink an exceptional cup of espresso without worrying about compromising the taste. There are many options available on Amazon, with Wacau mini espresso being an option. It is a novelty gift which also works as a travelling mug.
5. Milk frothier
A perfect latter requires frothed milk. So, present your friend with a frothier that makes creating latte an easy job for them.
6. Coffee mug set
One can never have enough coffee mug sets. So, present your friend or family member with a set of coffee mugs which are sturdy and perfect for their morning cup. You can customize it too with their favorite quote or their name.
7. Pour overs
Pour overs are one of the finest ways to brew coffee. And thus, they make for a perfect gift idea for all your coffee nerd friends.
Try these options:
Chemex classic
Kaita stainless wave dripper
Hario V60 Pour Over Decanter
These are some of the greatest gifts that you can present to a coffee-addict. They are sturdy, useful, and for many a relic that they will cherish forever. What are some of the gifts that you would like to give to your friend/family who doesn’t start their day without coffee?
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How to Brew Truly Great Coffee at Home
Because the best part of every morning should be the act of making coffee
As the commercial goes, the best part of waking up… is a certain brand of industrial brew often made into a watery thing resembling coffee from a flimsy machine. But really the best part of every morning should be the act of making an actually-great cup of coffee, one at a time, in a Hario V60 or Chemex or French press. The ritual of brewing coffee is itself a satisfying endeavor.
There’s truly nothing wrong with using a machine to brew coffee, and some machines are even better than the methods described here: I liken it to how some people want self-driving cars while others like manual transmissions. As many people isolate at home during the novel coronavirus pandemic, there’s no better time to master the art of manually brewing coffee. Here now, five ways to make coffee almost as good as you would find in a cafe, right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
What you need to start brewing coffee at home:
The best possible locally roasted coffee beans you can buy
There are two main markers that affect a coffee’s taste: the beans and the roast. Buy whole coffee beans from roasters who source from specific coffee-growing regions and show this off on their packaging, because highlighting farms and regions is a sign they’re investing in good-quality beans. Choose either a single-origin or a good blend to start. Single-origins show off the distinct characteristics of a farm or growing region, while blends tend to balance out flavors.
Freshly roasted beans will have the most flavor and will last you the longest. When talking to a roaster, ask about a coffee’s roast profile and find something that aligns to your taste. Coffee drinkers come in all forms, and one could argue that there are two main camps when it comes to roast styles. The first favor medium-to-darker roasts with bolder but ultimately more comforting flavors (basically coffee that tastes like a really good version of what your parents drank). The other type tends to focus on lighter roasting, higher acid (or fruit-forward characteristics), and even floral notes. The flavors of coffee are virtually endless, and exploring them is why you’re getting into brewing coffee at home in the first place.
Generally speaking, for good-quality coffee, don’t expect to pay anything less than $14 to $15, and often close to $20 for a 12-ounce bag (340 grams) of beans.
A way to boil water
You don’t need a fancy kettle with a special spout. A tea kettle or something for your stove is just fine, while electric brewers tend to bring water up to boiling faster (and sometimes to a specific temperature). I reviewed a bunch of pouring kettles here in the past, and can recommend Bonavita’s electric kettle.
A way to grind the coffee
Skip the cheap blade grinders in the appliance section of a drugstore or supermarket; they grind unevenly. Instead, aim to get a decent burr mill grinder, as these will be much more consistent. I use a Breville smart coffee grinder because it can be programmed to a specific length of grind time. But I’ve also owned Baratza grinders such as the Encore and the Preciso. The Encore was a fantastic grinder and performed well for years, while the more expensive Preciso broke on me a few times (I sent it in to get it serviced, too). You could also use hand grinders, and I’ve reviewed them extensively. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend owning one if you plan to brew coffee every day at home — they’re best for camping or traveling.
A kitchen scale
To properly “dial in” or brew coffee to a certain specification, you’ll want to use a kitchen scale to weigh out both the ground coffee and the water. A fancy one with a timer and weight to the gram is probably overkill for most people. Just make sure whatever scale you use is sturdy and water resistant enough to endure a few errant splashes of liquid. I like the Hario drip scale because it comes with a timer, but for a budget option, I recommend the Etekcity digital scale.
A timing device
A wristwatch or a kitchen timer is really helpful brewing coffee. You’ll see why below.
A good mug
Enjoying coffee is about the complete experience — sight, smell, and even sound and touch — so the drinking vessel makes a big difference. Get a nice vintage diner-style mug, or something to maybe swirl around the last few sips. Either way, pick a mug that makes you happy, because you’ve just made yourself a damn fine cup of coffee.
The brewing methods:
Here’s how to make great coffee at home, depending on your skill level and interest. These five brewing methods, from the old-school French press to the more technically challenging, but ultimately fulfilling Kalita Wave brewer, can appeal to every at-home-brewing personality. All of them are something even a novice home barista could learn within a few weeks, and the best part is that almost any result is going to be better than that burnt-tasting Starbucks drip. Remember: Always use fresh, filtered water, because the quality of the water will have a major impact on the flavor of the coffee. I like to brew coffee as hot as possible, bringing water up to a boil and then brewing as soon as possible.
A note about ratios: Each recipe here has specific weights that you can follow, but if you’d like to make more or less, a good ratio to keep is 15 to 1 hot water to ground coffee. If you like your coffee lighter, increase the ratio to 17 or 18 to 1, and if you want it stronger, reduce to 14 to 1.
For the minimalist who likes to keep it simple: Clever Coffee Dripper
The background: When people ask me how they should start making “good” coffee at home, I always direct them to this. The Clever brewer is essentially a French press with a paper filter: full immersion coffee (which refers to the process that takes all the coffee grounds and fully incorporates them into water all at once) without the sludge or grit. The brewer itself can be hard to find, but Amazon or Espresso Parts has it for a bit over $20. It’s very durable and should last years of use at home, and it’s pretty good for traveling, despite its odd shape.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device. Then, when the Clever is placed over a cup or serving kettle, a valve releases the liquid.
How to brew on a Clever: Fold the edges of a No. 4 Melitta filter (which can be found at any grocery store) and place into the brewer. Rinse the filter carefully with hot water and drain through the valve over a sink or a mug (to warm the mug): Rinsing the filter reduces any residual paper flavors. Weigh out 25 grams of medium-fine coffee, reset (aka “tare”) the scale, then carefully pour in 375 grams of nearly boiling hot water (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Cover with the plastic lid and wait for two minutes. Using a spoon, gently break the “crust” of coffee on top and give the coffee a little swirl in the brewer so it distributes evenly. Then place the entire Clever over a mug (you’ll want a pretty big mug since the coffee you get will be about 11 ounces), which will automatically release the brewed coffee. Or you can dispense the coffee into a nice glass kettle or other container (like a fancy thick-walled cocktail mixing glass). Cleaning is easy: throw away the filter and grounds, then rinse and wash the brewer before air drying.
For the enthusiast who wants to take their coffee brewing to the next level: Hario V60
The background: When “third wave,” aka hipster, coffee surfaced in the late aughts across the country’s major cities, the Hario V60 was the preferred single-cup pour over for cafes: Any barista worth their salt gets trained to brew on a V60, which was invented in Japan in 1921. Hario makes multiple types of V60s, including glass, plastic, ceramic, and even metal. Plastic is the cheapest and is the best for heat retention, but doesn’t look great. Ceramic and glass look cool, but can chip or break easily. Metal is virtually impossible to break, but the little handles can and will detach over time. Either way, the Hario V60 is the perfect entryway to brewing pour-over coffee. You’ll want a kettle that can pour nice gentle ribbons of water to best control the flow of water.
What I like about the V60 is how it is simple to use, yet challenging to come up with a great cup. If you have some really special coffee and want to get the best out of it, I find the Hario is a way to draw out the most nuances. The sheer clarity of the filter and speed of the relative brewing amplifies the subtle fruit, floral, or spice flavors of a high-quality coffee, and it’s thrilling to taste those notes.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device, which has a big dime-sized hole at the bottom through which the brewed coffee flows out. It requires a specific conical paper filter and ridges inside to keep the paper from sticking to the brewer.
How to brew on a Hario V60: There are multiple schools of thought about brewing on a Hario V60, so I’ll combine some elements from Scott Rao’s excellent instructional video here, and James Hoffmann’s delightful clip here.
Start by folding over the special V60 filter (which you can get on Amazon or at your local coffee shop) and placing into the cone. Wash through with a bit of hot water into a glass kettle or large mug and discard the water. Add 28 grams of medium-fine coffee, then tare the scale. Carefully add about 60 grams of hot water and swirl around the sludge to distribute the water. This allows the coffee to “bloom” and “degas,” releasing any carbon dioxide in the bean from the roasting process. This makes more room for the water to extract the soluble matter from the coffee and draw out the most flavor.
Let the coffee bloom for 45 seconds, then continue brewing. Pour the hot water in a steady stream, almost painfully slow, in a small circular motion, avoiding the walls of the brewer if possible. Stop once after a minute to swirl the cone and redistribute the grinds. Continue pouring until reaching 420 grams of water, stop pouring, then swirl the brewer again to redistribute the grinds. Hoffman’s method employs a small spoon to swirl the grinds so they don’t create a channel for the water to flow unevenly. Either method is pretty good from my experience. Aim for a total brewing time of about three minutes.
The stylish coffee lover who wants a handsome all-in-one brewing device: Chemex
The background: The Chemex is essentially a one-piece brewer and coffee server with some quirks. The design, which was introduced in 1941 by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, makes it the most beautiful device out there, with thick glass in a conical shape hemmed in by a wooden collar and leather laces. Early versions used hand-blown glass and a more perfectly symmetrical shape, though newer ones have a rounder bulb and even glass handles for easier cleaning.
It looks great on the counter, kitchen table, or anywhere really, and the way the laboratory-like glass refracts and plays with the light when the coffee is in there makes the drink look alluring. Take it from renowned coffee expert and co-founder of London’s Square Mile Coffee James Hoffmann, who seems particularly smitten by the way coffee looks when brewed into a Chemex. And the standard 6-cup size makes more than enough coffee for two people, which makes the Chemex a great weekend brewing method for the family.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the flask-shaped device, then you pour water over the top as the coffee drips into the compartment below. Hoffmann asserts that the Chemex isn’t a perfect brewer, as the filters can sometimes lock in air and prevent a smooth flow of water, which is why the pouring spout has a divet to allow air to escape. The paper filters are thick, allowing for even extraction, but Chemex alone sells the filters you need (and they’re not necessarily cheap).
How to brew with a Chemex: The method is pretty similar to the Hario V60. Rinse the paper filter (putting the thick three-ply toward the spout), discard water, and place 42 grams of medium-fine coffee in the filter. You don’t need a coarser grind than a V60, but you can adjust your grinder if you think it helps the coffee brew faster. Tare the scale. Add 100 grams of water to bloom the coffee for 45 to 60 seconds. Then carefully pour water until the scale hits 650 grams. Swirl the brewer and let the coffee drip through, which will take four to five minutes. Discard filter and enjoy.
For the old-school coffee drinker who has a little extra time to burn: French press
The background: The French press was my first foray into brewing coffee at home, and I ended up with grit and sludge in every cup. Brewing with a French press takes more time, and it’s a pain to clean up, but the lack of a paper filter allows some of the oils, texture, and mouthfeel of a coffee to come through. Sometimes I brew a French press because I want to taste a single-origin coffee in a different way after making a bunch of filtered cups. A French press can still make an amazing cup of coffee, and the ritual of making a cup with this still carries that analog satisfaction of years past, feeling positively vintage in the best way. And thankfully, I’ve since picked up some modern techniques to minimize the particulates.
How it works: The device takes ground coffee beans and immerses them fully into hot water, much like the Clever Coffee Brewer, but in a cylindrical vessel. The difference here is that the only thing separating the grinds from the water is a mesh filter and gravity. While brewing, much of the coffee will actually sit at the top of the water and will need to be broken up with a spoon or other utensil. Allowing the grinds to gently fall to the bottom (letting gravity do its work) means that more of the sediment separates and stays out of the cup.
How to brew a French press: Weigh out 30 grams of coffee and pour 500 grams of water into the brewer. Let it sit for five minutes, then use a spoon to break the crust floating on top. Use the spoon to scoop up any floating grinds or foam, then place the top part, which includes the mesh filter, right on top of the coffee (but don’t plunge it down!). Let the coffee sit for another three to four minutes, allowing the grinds to fall to the bottom. Carefully pour coffee into a mug and leave just that last bit of sludge in the brewer. Use a paper towel to scrape out the grinds and wash carefully.
For the perfectionist: Kalita Wave
The background: This circular style of brewer is perhaps the final destination for many home coffee brewers. All the equipment is difficult to find in a retail setting, though easily available online. The brewing method is essentially a pour over, but with a specific circular filter with smooth ridges to encourage a steady flow of water. The flat bottom with just three small holes ensures an even extraction, preventing the coffee from channeling to one side as it would in a conical shape (looking at you, Hario V60 and Chemex). If the Hario V60 was the first pour-over brewer of choice in the late aughts, the Kalita Wave gained prominence and popularity in cafes in the past five to eight years. It’s my preferred coffee-making method every morning, unless I run out of those pesky (and expensive) Wave filters.
How it works: Gently place the somewhat delicate filter into the brewer and place ground coffee inside. In design, the Kalita Wave probably most resembles a standard automatic coffee machine (like a Krups or Mr. Coffee), but the shape of the paper filter allows for water to flow evenly through the coffee. And since you can control the temperature and flow of that water manually, the resulting brew is fine-tuned instead of erratic, as it often is with a countertop machine.
How to brew a Kalita Wave: Similar to a V60, carefully place a Wave filter onto a glass kettle or even just a large mug, and rinse with hot water. Dump out the hot water, then place the brewer and kettle onto the scale and tare. Add 24 grams of medium-fine coffee and bloom with 60 grams of water for 30 to 45 seconds. Then pour water in a circular motion, making sure to get the coffee stuck on the edges of the filter every few pours. Stop pouring when the water gets close to the top and wait for the water to flow. Continue doing this until scale hits 380 grams total.
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Because the best part of every morning should be the act of making coffee
As the commercial goes, the best part of waking up… is a certain brand of industrial brew often made into a watery thing resembling coffee from a flimsy machine. But really the best part of every morning should be the act of making an actually-great cup of coffee, one at a time, in a Hario V60 or Chemex or French press. The ritual of brewing coffee is itself a satisfying endeavor.
There’s truly nothing wrong with using a machine to brew coffee, and some machines are even better than the methods described here: I liken it to how some people want self-driving cars while others like manual transmissions. As many people isolate at home during the novel coronavirus pandemic, there’s no better time to master the art of manually brewing coffee. Here now, five ways to make coffee almost as good as you would find in a cafe, right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
What you need to start brewing coffee at home:
The best possible locally roasted coffee beans you can buy
There are two main markers that affect a coffee’s taste: the beans and the roast. Buy whole coffee beans from roasters who source from specific coffee-growing regions and show this off on their packaging, because highlighting farms and regions is a sign they’re investing in good-quality beans. Choose either a single-origin or a good blend to start. Single-origins show off the distinct characteristics of a farm or growing region, while blends tend to balance out flavors.
Freshly roasted beans will have the most flavor and will last you the longest. When talking to a roaster, ask about a coffee’s roast profile and find something that aligns to your taste. Coffee drinkers come in all forms, and one could argue that there are two main camps when it comes to roast styles. The first favor medium-to-darker roasts with bolder but ultimately more comforting flavors (basically coffee that tastes like a really good version of what your parents drank). The other type tends to focus on lighter roasting, higher acid (or fruit-forward characteristics), and even floral notes. The flavors of coffee are virtually endless, and exploring them is why you’re getting into brewing coffee at home in the first place.
Generally speaking, for good-quality coffee, don’t expect to pay anything less than $14 to $15, and often close to $20 for a 12-ounce bag (340 grams) of beans.
A way to boil water
You don’t need a fancy kettle with a special spout. A tea kettle or something for your stove is just fine, while electric brewers tend to bring water up to boiling faster (and sometimes to a specific temperature). I reviewed a bunch of pouring kettles here in the past, and can recommend Bonavita’s electric kettle.
A way to grind the coffee
Skip the cheap blade grinders in the appliance section of a drugstore or supermarket; they grind unevenly. Instead, aim to get a decent burr mill grinder, as these will be much more consistent. I use a Breville smart coffee grinder because it can be programmed to a specific length of grind time. But I’ve also owned Baratza grinders such as the Encore and the Preciso. The Encore was a fantastic grinder and performed well for years, while the more expensive Preciso broke on me a few times (I sent it in to get it serviced, too). You could also use hand grinders, and I’ve reviewed them extensively. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend owning one if you plan to brew coffee every day at home — they’re best for camping or traveling.
A kitchen scale
To properly “dial in” or brew coffee to a certain specification, you’ll want to use a kitchen scale to weigh out both the ground coffee and the water. A fancy one with a timer and weight to the gram is probably overkill for most people. Just make sure whatever scale you use is sturdy and water resistant enough to endure a few errant splashes of liquid. I like the Hario drip scale because it comes with a timer, but for a budget option, I recommend the Etekcity digital scale.
A timing device
A wristwatch or a kitchen timer is really helpful brewing coffee. You’ll see why below.
A good mug
Enjoying coffee is about the complete experience — sight, smell, and even sound and touch — so the drinking vessel makes a big difference. Get a nice vintage diner-style mug, or something to maybe swirl around the last few sips. Either way, pick a mug that makes you happy, because you’ve just made yourself a damn fine cup of coffee.
The brewing methods:
Here’s how to make great coffee at home, depending on your skill level and interest. These five brewing methods, from the old-school French press to the more technically challenging, but ultimately fulfilling Kalita Wave brewer, can appeal to every at-home-brewing personality. All of them are something even a novice home barista could learn within a few weeks, and the best part is that almost any result is going to be better than that burnt-tasting Starbucks drip. Remember: Always use fresh, filtered water, because the quality of the water will have a major impact on the flavor of the coffee. I like to brew coffee as hot as possible, bringing water up to a boil and then brewing as soon as possible.
A note about ratios: Each recipe here has specific weights that you can follow, but if you’d like to make more or less, a good ratio to keep is 15 to 1 hot water to ground coffee. If you like your coffee lighter, increase the ratio to 17 or 18 to 1, and if you want it stronger, reduce to 14 to 1.
For the minimalist who likes to keep it simple: Clever Coffee Dripper
The background: When people ask me how they should start making “good” coffee at home, I always direct them to this. The Clever brewer is essentially a French press with a paper filter: full immersion coffee (which refers to the process that takes all the coffee grounds and fully incorporates them into water all at once) without the sludge or grit. The brewer itself can be hard to find, but Amazon or Espresso Parts has it for a bit over $20. It’s very durable and should last years of use at home, and it’s pretty good for traveling, despite its odd shape.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device. Then, when the Clever is placed over a cup or serving kettle, a valve releases the liquid.
How to brew on a Clever: Fold the edges of a No. 4 Melitta filter (which can be found at any grocery store) and place into the brewer. Rinse the filter carefully with hot water and drain through the valve over a sink or a mug (to warm the mug): Rinsing the filter reduces any residual paper flavors. Weigh out 25 grams of medium-fine coffee, reset (aka “tare”) the scale, then carefully pour in 375 grams of nearly boiling hot water (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Cover with the plastic lid and wait for two minutes. Using a spoon, gently break the “crust” of coffee on top and give the coffee a little swirl in the brewer so it distributes evenly. Then place the entire Clever over a mug (you’ll want a pretty big mug since the coffee you get will be about 11 ounces), which will automatically release the brewed coffee. Or you can dispense the coffee into a nice glass kettle or other container (like a fancy thick-walled cocktail mixing glass). Cleaning is easy: throw away the filter and grounds, then rinse and wash the brewer before air drying.
For the enthusiast who wants to take their coffee brewing to the next level: Hario V60
The background: When “third wave,” aka hipster, coffee surfaced in the late aughts across the country’s major cities, the Hario V60 was the preferred single-cup pour over for cafes: Any barista worth their salt gets trained to brew on a V60, which was invented in Japan in 1921. Hario makes multiple types of V60s, including glass, plastic, ceramic, and even metal. Plastic is the cheapest and is the best for heat retention, but doesn’t look great. Ceramic and glass look cool, but can chip or break easily. Metal is virtually impossible to break, but the little handles can and will detach over time. Either way, the Hario V60 is the perfect entryway to brewing pour-over coffee. You’ll want a kettle that can pour nice gentle ribbons of water to best control the flow of water.
What I like about the V60 is how it is simple to use, yet challenging to come up with a great cup. If you have some really special coffee and want to get the best out of it, I find the Hario is a way to draw out the most nuances. The sheer clarity of the filter and speed of the relative brewing amplifies the subtle fruit, floral, or spice flavors of a high-quality coffee, and it’s thrilling to taste those notes.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device, which has a big dime-sized hole at the bottom through which the brewed coffee flows out. It requires a specific conical paper filter and ridges inside to keep the paper from sticking to the brewer.
How to brew on a Hario V60: There are multiple schools of thought about brewing on a Hario V60, so I’ll combine some elements from Scott Rao’s excellent instructional video here, and James Hoffmann’s delightful clip here.
Start by folding over the special V60 filter (which you can get on Amazon or at your local coffee shop) and placing into the cone. Wash through with a bit of hot water into a glass kettle or large mug and discard the water. Add 28 grams of medium-fine coffee, then tare the scale. Carefully add about 60 grams of hot water and swirl around the sludge to distribute the water. This allows the coffee to “bloom” and “degas,” releasing any carbon dioxide in the bean from the roasting process. This makes more room for the water to extract the soluble matter from the coffee and draw out the most flavor.
Let the coffee bloom for 45 seconds, then continue brewing. Pour the hot water in a steady stream, almost painfully slow, in a small circular motion, avoiding the walls of the brewer if possible. Stop once after a minute to swirl the cone and redistribute the grinds. Continue pouring until reaching 420 grams of water, stop pouring, then swirl the brewer again to redistribute the grinds. Hoffman’s method employs a small spoon to swirl the grinds so they don’t create a channel for the water to flow unevenly. Either method is pretty good from my experience. Aim for a total brewing time of about three minutes.
The stylish coffee lover who wants a handsome all-in-one brewing device: Chemex
The background: The Chemex is essentially a one-piece brewer and coffee server with some quirks. The design, which was introduced in 1941 by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, makes it the most beautiful device out there, with thick glass in a conical shape hemmed in by a wooden collar and leather laces. Early versions used hand-blown glass and a more perfectly symmetrical shape, though newer ones have a rounder bulb and even glass handles for easier cleaning.
It looks great on the counter, kitchen table, or anywhere really, and the way the laboratory-like glass refracts and plays with the light when the coffee is in there makes the drink look alluring. Take it from renowned coffee expert and co-founder of London’s Square Mile Coffee James Hoffmann, who seems particularly smitten by the way coffee looks when brewed into a Chemex. And the standard 6-cup size makes more than enough coffee for two people, which makes the Chemex a great weekend brewing method for the family.
How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the flask-shaped device, then you pour water over the top as the coffee drips into the compartment below. Hoffmann asserts that the Chemex isn’t a perfect brewer, as the filters can sometimes lock in air and prevent a smooth flow of water, which is why the pouring spout has a divet to allow air to escape. The paper filters are thick, allowing for even extraction, but Chemex alone sells the filters you need (and they’re not necessarily cheap).
How to brew with a Chemex: The method is pretty similar to the Hario V60. Rinse the paper filter (putting the thick three-ply toward the spout), discard water, and place 42 grams of medium-fine coffee in the filter. You don’t need a coarser grind than a V60, but you can adjust your grinder if you think it helps the coffee brew faster. Tare the scale. Add 100 grams of water to bloom the coffee for 45 to 60 seconds. Then carefully pour water until the scale hits 650 grams. Swirl the brewer and let the coffee drip through, which will take four to five minutes. Discard filter and enjoy.
For the old-school coffee drinker who has a little extra time to burn: French press
The background: The French press was my first foray into brewing coffee at home, and I ended up with grit and sludge in every cup. Brewing with a French press takes more time, and it’s a pain to clean up, but the lack of a paper filter allows some of the oils, texture, and mouthfeel of a coffee to come through. Sometimes I brew a French press because I want to taste a single-origin coffee in a different way after making a bunch of filtered cups. A French press can still make an amazing cup of coffee, and the ritual of making a cup with this still carries that analog satisfaction of years past, feeling positively vintage in the best way. And thankfully, I’ve since picked up some modern techniques to minimize the particulates.
How it works: The device takes ground coffee beans and immerses them fully into hot water, much like the Clever Coffee Brewer, but in a cylindrical vessel. The difference here is that the only thing separating the grinds from the water is a mesh filter and gravity. While brewing, much of the coffee will actually sit at the top of the water and will need to be broken up with a spoon or other utensil. Allowing the grinds to gently fall to the bottom (letting gravity do its work) means that more of the sediment separates and stays out of the cup.
How to brew a French press: Weigh out 30 grams of coffee and pour 500 grams of water into the brewer. Let it sit for five minutes, then use a spoon to break the crust floating on top. Use the spoon to scoop up any floating grinds or foam, then place the top part, which includes the mesh filter, right on top of the coffee (but don’t plunge it down!). Let the coffee sit for another three to four minutes, allowing the grinds to fall to the bottom. Carefully pour coffee into a mug and leave just that last bit of sludge in the brewer. Use a paper towel to scrape out the grinds and wash carefully.
For the perfectionist: Kalita Wave
The background: This circular style of brewer is perhaps the final destination for many home coffee brewers. All the equipment is difficult to find in a retail setting, though easily available online. The brewing method is essentially a pour over, but with a specific circular filter with smooth ridges to encourage a steady flow of water. The flat bottom with just three small holes ensures an even extraction, preventing the coffee from channeling to one side as it would in a conical shape (looking at you, Hario V60 and Chemex). If the Hario V60 was the first pour-over brewer of choice in the late aughts, the Kalita Wave gained prominence and popularity in cafes in the past five to eight years. It’s my preferred coffee-making method every morning, unless I run out of those pesky (and expensive) Wave filters.
How it works: Gently place the somewhat delicate filter into the brewer and place ground coffee inside. In design, the Kalita Wave probably most resembles a standard automatic coffee machine (like a Krups or Mr. Coffee), but the shape of the paper filter allows for water to flow evenly through the coffee. And since you can control the temperature and flow of that water manually, the resulting brew is fine-tuned instead of erratic, as it often is with a countertop machine.
How to brew a Kalita Wave: Similar to a V60, carefully place a Wave filter onto a glass kettle or even just a large mug, and rinse with hot water. Dump out the hot water, then place the brewer and kettle onto the scale and tare. Add 24 grams of medium-fine coffee and bloom with 60 grams of water for 30 to 45 seconds. Then pour water in a circular motion, making sure to get the coffee stuck on the edges of the filter every few pours. Stop pouring when the water gets close to the top and wait for the water to flow. Continue doing this until scale hits 380 grams total.
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There are two types of coffee drinkers: people who drink coffee and people who are obsessed with coffee. I fall into the latter category. A few years ago I became friends with a couple roasters while living in Savannah, Georgia and I've never looked back. I currently have five different methods for brewing coffee in my house (more if you count the multiple pour-over contraptions). It's a serious habit.
And I'm not alone. Coffee culture is thriving all over the world. It's easy to find roasters akin to your favorite local small-batch outfit anywhere in the world. However, there might not always be time to go exploring while traveling, or the people on your list could maybe use an upgrade to their at-home setup. No matter what you're looking for, we've got a range options that make great coffee gifts for everyone, including travelers and aspiring coffee pros.
Something for everyone
Let's face it: the coffee lover on your list might know their stuff, but you don't know what they already have in their arsenal. No worries! There's an easy solution that's perfect for both novices and experts that you're shopping for.
Coffee Subscriptions
One of the best coffee decisions I've made is getting fresh beans delivered to me on a regular schedule. I only run out during cold brew season when I'm using a lot more coffee for both hot and iced beverages. And I could easily fix that by adjusting the frequency. In my experience with Counter Culture and Hatchet, you can get two bags of single-origin beans for around $35, shipping included. I'm not recommending those roasters, per se, even though I've found they deliver consistently good quality and a range of rotating options. You should explore what's available from your recipient's favorite roaster. If they have a local one that's solid, that's probably your best option for the freshest beans. A lot of coffee companies will roast and ship the same day, or at least the day after. Plus, you can choose a frequency that fits their consumption habit. I typically get two bags every two weeks (typically 12 ounces from most roasters), but two bags a month also makes a nice gift.
AeroPress
The AeroPress wasn't the answer to my coffee woes while traveling, but it's still a nice piece of brewing gear to have on hand. With its plunger-driven design, the device offers immersion brewing that extracts flavors from the beans without a lot of the bitterness. The end result is a great cup of coffee that tastes much different than if you brewed the same variety with a pour-over or French Press. Besides brewing a smooth full-flavored cup, another key advantage of the AeroPress is speed. You can make a cup of regular coffee in about two minutes. The device also makes espresso, which you can do in about 30 seconds. When I run out of cold brew (or planned poorly), I like to brew a stronger cup, plunge it down over ice and add a splash of milk. All of the accoutrements pack up neatly, and take up little space, which makes the AeroPress a great gift for aspiring coffee nerds to add to their arsenal. Plus, it was designed by an engineer who spent much of his career making toys. How's that for holiday spirit?
Buy AeroPress on Amazon - $30
For Travelers
While any coffee aficionado will go exploring a new city for a solid cup or decent cortado, sometimes their schedule doesn't allow for that. You can pretty much always carve out a few minutes in your hotel room to make something good, though, and these devices will help the person on your list do just that. It's time to skip the lobby swill. Pakt Coffee Kit
I tried for years to piece together my own travel kit for work trips, but I wasn't able to solve a key piece of the equation: the kettle. Sure, you can heat water a myriad of ways, but pouring was always the issue. You need precision when trying to brew a pour-over or an Aeropress. Thankfully, Pakt designed an all-in-one solution that makes nearly the perfect travel kit for coffee lovers. Taking cues from Russian nesting dolls, the grounds container and travel cup fit inside the kettle to save space. The kettle's base and collapsable dripper sit snugly against it in a zippered case about the size of a pair of shoes. The whole setup weighs under four pounds, so you can easily put in a carry on or checked bag. You might get some funny looks from TSA, but after a quick explanation, you'll be on your way. The two things this kit doesn't have are a grinder and a scale. But I'll be honest, I'll gladly trade a kettle, one with a spout that allows slow pouring like my usual gooseneck model does, for those two pieces of gear. While I prefer freshly ground beans every morning, I can make an exception. With how convenient the Pakt Coffee Kit is to stash in a suitcase, and the stellar brewing experience it offers, I'll bet the coffee snob on your list won't mind the sacrifice either.
Buy Pakt Coffee Kit - $149+
Miir Camp Cup and Tumbler
I can appreciate people who want a travel mug that keeps their coffee hot for several hours, but to me, that's a job for a thermos. I'll drink my coffee within an hour, so I prefer more stylish drinkware than your stereotypical travel cup. A few years ago, I discovered Miir's vacuum insulated Camp Cup, and recently, I added the 12-ounce Tumbler, which fits better in a cup holder. No, these won't keep your coffee hot all day, but they will keep it warm for at least a few of hours. And if you're not finished with a cup in that time, I question your dedication to the cause. But seriously, Miir's choice of surgical-grade stainless steel means your hot (or cold) beverage won't taste like metal, and neither of the cups sweat if your drink contains ice that'll eventually melt. Plus, there's a fancy new speckled version of the Camp Cup that offers an outdoorsy vibe in an everyday mug. Miir also donates a portion of each sale to various projects around the world. Those include initiatives for clean water, strong communities and healthy environment. You can see which project your cup is helping by entering the code on the bottom at Miir's website.
Buy Miir Camp Cup on Amazon - $25
Buy Miir Tumbler on Amazon - $20
For the at-home barista
I'm not going to recommend espresso machines in this guide, but there are a few barista-grade devices that you can employ at home to improve your brewing skills. They're a little pricey compared to some of the alternatives, but they're useful, well-designed and will boost the street cred (bean cred?) for the coffee lover on your list. Acaia Pearl
I'll admit I wasn't sold on the Acaia Pearl when I first reviewed it, but after years of use since, I've come around. The Pearl is quick, accurate and sensitive, plus there's a degree of customization available. You can get time and weight right on the scale. And, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair it with one of the company's many apps. Those software options provide brewing guides, log your coffee brewing data and record your brewing process. What's more, the Pearl looks a lot better than most other scales.
Buy Acacia Pearl - $140+
Stagg EKG
Yes, you can get an electric kettle for much less that allows you to set and hold a certain temperature. But a lot of the alternatives are stainless steel, and they're rather boring looking. They can also be kind of bulky. Fellow's Stagg EKG is anything but that. While you can choose a polished steel version, there's also polished copper, white and matte black options. The overall design is modern and minimalist, which will surely give any at-home brew bar an aesthetic upgrade. The handle, for example, is a lot more comfortable to hold than most gooseneck kettles and offers better control for your pour. The Stagg EKG also features variable temperature control with an LCD display, and it can hold temp for up to an hour. Like the Acaia Pearl, there's a built-in timer here, so you can keep tabs on your brew session once the water is heated. And you won't have to wait long for the water to come to temp either: The Stagg EKG is powered by 1200-att current. There's also a $199 Bluetooth-equipped model that adds the ability to control the kettle and monitor things from your phone.
Buy Stagg EKG - $129+
Buy Stagg EKG+ Bluetooth - $199
Baratza Encore
Coffee grinders come in all shapes and sizes, and with varying degrees of performance. You can get a solid Cuisinart one for under $40 that will serve you well, but if you're looking to impress the coffee aficionado in your life with a nice gift, you'll have to do better. Baratza's Encore grinder has been a popular choice among roasters and coffee pros for a while now. It's a little pricey for a grinder, but it offers a ton of attractive features that will immediately improve brewing across a variety of methods. Plus, it grinds coffee a lot more consistently, so you have more uniform grounds for your method of choice. The controls are simple: There's an on/off button on the side and a pulse button on the front. The Encore also offers 40 grind settings so you can get the exact coffee you need for a variety of methods: automatic brewers, AeroPress, Chemex, french press and more. This grinder is also relatively compact, so it won't take up a lot of counter space, and it fits nicely under your cabinets.
Buy Baratza Encore on Amazon - $139
The 2019 Engadget Holiday Gift Guide
The best gifts for the home
The best audio gifts, from headphones to DJ gear
The media streamers and soundbars to buy this holiday season
The movies and books we'd give as gifts
The best smartphones, tablets and smartwatches to give as gifts
The best gifts and games for console gamers
PC and mobile accessories that'll make great gifts
The best laptops and 2-in-1s to give as gifts
Subscriptions and gift cards that make great last-minute gifts
The best gifts for PC gamers, from laptops to GPUs
The best cameras, accessories and bags to give as gifts
The best fitness gadgets for the athlete on your list
The best tech toys and STEM kits
In this article: acaia, aciaia pearl, aeropress, baratza, baratza encore, coffee, encore, fellow products, food and drink, food-and-drink, foodanddrink, gear, grinder, hgg2019, kettle, miir, pakt, pakt coffee kit, stagg ekg, subscription, thebuyersguide
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This is a news and / or article edited by Mundial Boost published on November 13, 2019 at 09:39 AM. If you want to know more information or complement this news, we invite you to press the button above: SEE MORE that will take you to the full version of it.
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Coffee Gift Guide 2019: The Sprudge Staff Picks
The season is upon us for holiday shopping, and this year Sprudge is releasing a series of helpful guides for readers worldwide. This is our Sprudge Staff Guide—watch for our 2019 Founders Guide and Holiday Blends guide out in the next few days and happy shopping. Tell ’em Sprudge sent ya!
Origami Dripper
The manual brewing device used by two competitors at the 2019 World Brewers Cup—including champion Du Jianing—the Origami Dripper is as visually stunning as it is versatile, able to use both flat-bottom Kalita filters as well as conical v60s filters.
Decafino
Sometimes you want coffee but not caffeine and not everyone keeps an emergency bag of decaf handy. With Decafino, you can steep out all the caffeine from you favorite brew (or espresso drink) with little to no effect on the flavor. The Decafino is a global gamechanger.
Drip Zine
Looking for a gift that’s NSFW? Coffee People founder Kat Melheim and Amethyst Coffee’s Claudia Campero’s DRIP Zine is a submission-based publication where coffee professionals can feel free to explore their illicit sides. Drip’s two issues from 2019 include “photography, poetry, short stories, illustrations, and other artwork” that “explore how we feel about our bodies, sex, gender, nudity, power, vulnerability, expression, and identity.” Issue Three drops early next year—gift the second issue from the Coffee People Zine shop.
AeroPress Go
The king of compact coffee just got compacter. The new AeroPress Go doubles down on its slim profile to offer an all-in-one solution to coffee on the go.
Ember 2
The Ember line of mug and travel mug got an upgrade just in time for the holidays and if there’s someone in your life that’s a computer programmer, or an online magazine columnist, or something with computers and needs to keep their coffee warm the Ember 2 mug and/or travel mug makes a tremendous (albeit a little pricey) gift this season.
Carter Everywhere Mug
If you want a travel mug that matches your Apple HomePod get the new Carter Everywhere Mug. It’s about $100 less than the Ember 2 listed above and it’s got a lot of good things going on: a tight seal so you can comfortably toss it in your bag with all your other things, a thin lip that feels good when you drink from it, it’s insulated to keep your coffee hot for a weirdly long time, and it just looks good.
Ameuus AeroPress Filters
For those looking for reusable options or perhaps to get more body out of their AeroPress brews, look no further than the ameuus filters. Both the 01 and the 02 possess some of the smallest hole sizes on the reusable filter market, and they can be used in concert to filter out even more of the fines while letting the oils make it to the brew.
ZippyPaws Coffee & Donuts Squeaky Dog Toy
The perfect coffee gift for the dog (or small child you don’t know very well) in your life: a coffee mug and donut squeak-toy combo. The donuts go into the mug, forcing your pooch/small child to dig ’em out—just like people! It’s only eleven bucks and it’ll be a hit come Christmas morning.
View this post on Instagram
Introducing FrankOne with VacTec: Make cold brew and hot coffee in record time.
A post shared by Frank de Paula (@frankdepaulacoffee) on Oct 17, 2019 at 9:53am PDT
FrankOne Brewer
Using vacuum technology, the FrankOne is one of the most novel home brewing devices to come out in the past few years. In just one minute’s time, the FrankOne can make a beautiful cup of coffee, and thanks to the battery-powered vacuum, it makes for a fairly portable brewer as well.
Yes Plz Weekly Subscription
There’s really nothing else out there quite like the Yes Plz Weekly subscription—for $17 you’re sent an ever-changing blend of accessible, home filter machine ready coffee that goes perfect with that Bonavita or Moccamaster on your kitchen counter. It’s paired with an eclectic weekly print publication, featuring writing from a cadre of contributors around the world (including, occasionally, me). Come for the beans, stay for the zines, or vice versa.
Technivorm Moccamaster
Are you making batch brew filter coffee at home yet? If not, why? Honestly, we have gone on and on about this, to death, for a decade now, both on this website and in our book, but here we are again because the song remains the same and legends are lessons, they ring with truths: the Technivorm Moccamaster is great. Give this to a busy person who loves coffee, or a person who loves coffee but doesn’t know how to make the good stuff at home. Or just give it to yourself.
Spirit Tea Sampler Sets
Tea is good, and it tastes great with coffee. We love Spirit Tea of Chicago’s approach to quality-focused tea in the 21st century, which pairs accessibility with quality sourcing and storytelling. Any one of these samplers would be a great gift for the beverage lover in your life.
Ceramic Airscape Canister
I’ve been using my Airscape canister for years now, both as a repository for my coffee and as the thing I put all my coffee stickers on. But when Planetary Designs came out with the new ceramic version earlier this year, I almost said goodbye to my faithful stainless steel version (almost. All those stickers though). A ceramic body and bamboo lid, the new Airscape Canisters keep your coffee fresh and look great doing it.
The Chemex
God made Peter Schlumbohm, and Peter Schlumbohm made the Chemex for us to be happy. It’s inarguably the prettiest coffee brewer, and it makes a great versatile gift—use it as a vase, a wine decanter, and yes, as a coffee maker.
Acaia Pearl Scale
The gold standard for all your weighing and measuring needs: trusted at home and in many of the finest cafes on the planet. Acaia’s minimalist design and expansive functionality fuses practicality with an eye-catching aesthetic form. A treasure for the coffee lover this holiday season.
Urnex Grindz
You have to clean your coffee equipment to keep your coffee tasting good, but perhaps the most overlooked item at home is the grinder, and that’s a shame. Your grinder is ground zero for oils and bean detritus, all of which impacts the uniformity of your grind and thus, cup quality at the end of the line. Nobody knows the ins and outs of grinder like Urnex! Consider this like the pack of white underwear equivalent for coffee gift-giving—not, perhaps, the most exciting gift under the tree, but the one you’ll find yourself grateful for in the days to come.
Sprudge Media Network advertising partners are mentioned in this article. A complete list of partners is listed on the right-hand side of this and every Sprudge feature. Sprudge is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The post Coffee Gift Guide 2019: The Sprudge Staff Picks appeared first on Sprudge.
Coffee Gift Guide 2019: The Sprudge Staff Picks published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee
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Coffee Gift Guide 2019: The Sprudge Staff Picks
The season is upon us for holiday shopping, and this year Sprudge is releasing a series of helpful guides for readers worldwide. This is our Sprudge Staff Guide—watch for our 2019 Founders Guide and Holiday Blends guide out in the next few days and happy shopping. Tell ’em Sprudge sent ya!
Origami Dripper
The manual brewing device used by two competitors at the 2019 World Brewers Cup—including champion Du Jianing—the Origami Dripper is as visually stunning as it is versatile, able to use both flat-bottom Kalita filters as well as conical v60s filters.
Decafino
Sometimes you want coffee but not caffeine and not everyone keeps an emergency bag of decaf handy. With Decafino, you can steep out all the caffeine from you favorite brew (or espresso drink) with little to no effect on the flavor. The Decafino is a global gamechanger.
Drip Zine
Looking for a gift that’s NSFW? Coffee People founder Kat Melheim and Amethyst Coffee’s Claudia Campero’s DRIP Zine is a submission-based publication where coffee professionals can feel free to explore their illicit sides. Drip’s two issues from 2019 include “photography, poetry, short stories, illustrations, and other artwork” that “explore how we feel about our bodies, sex, gender, nudity, power, vulnerability, expression, and identity.” Issue Three drops early next year—gift the second issue from the Coffee People Zine shop.
AeroPress Go
The king of compact coffee just got compacter. The new AeroPress Go doubles down on its slim profile to offer an all-in-one solution to coffee on the go.
Ember 2
The Ember line of mug and travel mug got an upgrade just in time for the holidays and if there’s someone in your life that’s a computer programmer, or an online magazine columnist, or something with computers and needs to keep their coffee warm the Ember 2 mug and/or travel mug makes a tremendous (albeit a little pricey) gift this season.
Carter Everywhere Mug
If you want a travel mug that matches your Apple HomePod get the new Carter Everywhere Mug. It’s about $100 less than the Ember 2 listed above and it’s got a lot of good things going on: a tight seal so you can comfortably toss it in your bag with all your other things, a thin lip that feels good when you drink from it, it’s insulated to keep your coffee hot for a weirdly long time, and it just looks good.
Ameuus AeroPress Filters
For those looking for reusable options or perhaps to get more body out of their AeroPress brews, look no further than the ameuus filters. Both the 01 and the 02 possess some of the smallest hole sizes on the reusable filter market, and they can be used in concert to filter out even more of the fines while letting the oils make it to the brew.
ZippyPaws Coffee & Donuts Squeaky Dog Toy
The perfect coffee gift for the dog (or small child you don’t know very well) in your life: a coffee mug and donut squeak-toy combo. The donuts go into the mug, forcing your pooch/small child to dig ’em out—just like people! It’s only eleven bucks and it’ll be a hit come Christmas morning.
View this post on Instagram
Introducing FrankOne with VacTec: Make cold brew and hot coffee in record time.
A post shared by Frank de Paula (@frankdepaulacoffee) on Oct 17, 2019 at 9:53am PDT
FrankOne Brewer
Using vacuum technology, the FrankOne is one of the most novel home brewing devices to come out in the past few years. In just one minute’s time, the FrankOne can make a beautiful cup of coffee, and thanks to the battery-powered vacuum, it makes for a fairly portable brewer as well.
Yes Plz Weekly Subscription
There’s really nothing else out there quite like the Yes Plz Weekly subscription—for $17 you’re sent an ever-changing blend of accessible, home filter machine ready coffee that goes perfect with that Bonavita or Moccamaster on your kitchen counter. It’s paired with an eclectic weekly print publication, featuring writing from a cadre of contributors around the world (including, occasionally, me). Come for the beans, stay for the zines, or vice versa.
Technivorm Moccamaster
Are you making batch brew filter coffee at home yet? If not, why? Honestly, we have gone on and on about this, to death, for a decade now, both on this website and in our book, but here we are again because the song remains the same and legends are lessons, they ring with truths: the Technivorm Moccamaster is great. Give this to a busy person who loves coffee, or a person who loves coffee but doesn’t know how to make the good stuff at home. Or just give it to yourself.
Spirit Tea Sampler Sets
Tea is good, and it tastes great with coffee. We love Spirit Tea of Chicago’s approach to quality-focused tea in the 21st century, which pairs accessibility with quality sourcing and storytelling. Any one of these samplers would be a great gift for the beverage lover in your life.
Ceramic Airscape Canister
I’ve been using my Airscape canister for years now, both as a repository for my coffee and as the thing I put all my coffee stickers on. But when Planetary Designs came out with the new ceramic version earlier this year, I almost said goodbye to my faithful stainless steel version (almost. All those stickers though). A ceramic body and bamboo lid, the new Airscape Canisters keep your coffee fresh and look great doing it.
The Chemex
God made Peter Schlumbohm, and Peter Schlumbohm made the Chemex for us to be happy. It’s inarguably the prettiest coffee brewer, and it makes a great versatile gift—use it as a vase, a wine decanter, and yes, as a coffee maker.
Acaia Pearl Scale
The gold standard for all your weighing and measuring needs: trusted at home and in many of the finest cafes on the planet. Acaia’s minimalist design and expansive functionality fuses practicality with an eye-catching aesthetic form. A treasure for the coffee lover this holiday season.
Urnex Grindz
You have to clean your coffee equipment to keep your coffee tasting good, but perhaps the most overlooked item at home is the grinder, and that’s a shame. Your grinder is ground zero for oils and bean detritus, all of which impacts the uniformity of your grind and thus, cup quality at the end of the line. Nobody knows the ins and outs of grinder like Urnex! Consider this like the pack of white underwear equivalent for coffee gift-giving—not, perhaps, the most exciting gift under the tree, but the one you’ll find yourself grateful for in the days to come.
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The post Coffee Gift Guide 2019: The Sprudge Staff Picks appeared first on Sprudge.
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Coffee Gift Guide 2018
Best Coffee Gifts of 2018
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It's that time of year again!
Every year, I take a look at the best coffee gifts for your coffee-obsessed friends and family, so you can not only save time shopping, but also receive endless amounts of praise for your thoughtful gift(s).
This is my guide for the best coffee gifts of 2018, organized by your giftee's coffee personality and your budget. Of course, everything on this list is just my subjective opinion, but I still want to make sure most of our readers are satisfied with my picks.
So, if there is something on this list that you feel is a bad recommendation, please share your alternative recommendations in the comments section at the end of the post!
Table of Contents
Coffee Gifts Under $20
Funny Coffee Gifts
Gifts for a Coffee Snob
The Budding Home Barista
Affiliate Disclosure
Please also that some of the items below contain affiliate links. This means that if you buy one of the items, at no additional cost to you, The Coffee Concierge will earn a commission on each sale. I only promote products that I have investigated and truly feel deliver value to you, regardless of the compensation we may receive. Please do not spend any money on these products without first conducting your own independent research.
Coffee Gifts Under $20
If you're operating on a limited budget, there are still plenty of great coffee-related gifts under $20. Here are my favorites (listed in no particular order) for 2018:
1
The World Atlas of Coffee
If there were only one book I could recommend about coffee, it would be The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann.
The book is digestible for coffee novices, yet still informative enough for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike. Hoffmann recently released the 2nd edition of the book, which you can learn more about here.
See Price on Amazon
2
OXO Single Serve Pour Over Auto Drip
If you've been tempted to get into pour over coffee but aren't quite sure it's worth the extra hassle, the OXO Single Serve Pour Over Auto Drip might serve as a perfect compromise between auto and manual brewing methods.
With a built-in reservoir that sits above the cone dripper, water can be evenly dispersed at a constant flow rate, allowing for a more consistent extraction and brew time.
See Price on Amazon
3
Biohazard Coffee
Many coffee fanatics are already familiar with the infamous Death Wish Coffee, which alleges to be the "World's Strongest Coffee", but this claim may be challenged by Biohazard Coffee, which contains a whopping 926mg of caffeine per 12oz cup of brewed coffee.
I also thought it tasted a whole lot better than Death Wish, so your caffeine-loving gift recipient will be especially pleased.
See Price on Amazon
4
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Auto Drip Coffeemaker
Anybody who has ever made coffee at home is already familiar with the classic Mr. Coffee auto drip coffeemaker. With a simple on-off switch and warming plate, there's really not much to it.
Yes, there's nothing fancy about the Mr. Coffee, but this 4-cup version will get the job done without the hassle.
See Price on Amazon
5
Brew: Better Coffee at Home
Brian W. Jones is the dude behind the popular coffee website, Dear Coffee, I Love You. He released his first coffee book, Brew Better Coffee At Home not too long ago, and it's a great primer to (you guessed it) making coffee at home.
At the very least, it makes for a great coffee table book about...coffee!
See Price on Amazon
6
Bean Envy Milk Frother
Milk frothing wands are excellent options for those aspiring home baristas who aren't quite ready to invest in 4-figure espresso machines for their homemade cappuccinos.
There aren't a ton of differences between those that are currently on the market, but the Bean Envy should do the trick for your milk frothing needs.
See Price on Amazon
7
Kuissential SlickDrip
The SlickDrip is a clever silicone pour-over cone that is great for travel. It's collapsible to less than 1 inch of thickness, and made from an FDA-approved silicone.
Great for those who live in small spaces and/or live a nomadic lifestyle!
See Price on Amazon
8
Serafino Double Wall Mugs
These double-wall glass mugs are great for keeping your coffee well-insulated. They also look great!
Just make sure you don't gift them to the clumsy type, these are very fragile mugs.
See Price on Amazon
9
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
While a mug warmer isn't going keep your coffee piping hot, it definitely can help with maintaining enough heat to keep your coffee at an enjoyably drinkable temperature.
Mr. Coffee makes one of the more dependable ones on the market. This is an excellent gift for someone who sits at a desk and likes to drink their coffee slowly, from a mug.
See Price on Amazon
10
Coffee Hacks eBook
You didn't think I'd leave my own book off of this list, did you?
I wrote Coffee Hacks to help those who struggle to make great coffee from the comfort of their own home. More specifically, Coffee Hacks provides a step-by-step process for how to troubleshoot the brew process after a poorly-brewed cup (or pot) of coffee.
Yeah, it's an eBook...so probably better to give as a gift for yourself. Ya know, since you can't really wrap it and all.
Buy Now
Funny Coffee Gifts
Obviously, I might not have the same sense of humor as you, but I thought these were some of the funnier little coffee gifts I've stumbled upon recently.
1
Nevermind, I have to poop mug
I'd say this is a pretty relatable mug for most of us coffee-drinkers.
See Price on Amazon
2
Without coffee...sweatshirt
For the millennial coffee drinker in your life, this sweatshirt should be well-received.
Buy on Etsy
3
Don't cha mug
If you're familiar with the smash 00's hit by the Pussycat Dolls, you'll understand the humor in this mug. If not, sorry for wasting your time.
Buy Now
4
I'm not addicted wall art
This is one of many coffee memes from this etsy store that makes wall art for coffee lovers.
Buy on Etsy
5
Addicted to pot mug
Does this offend you? Maybe you're drinking too much pot.
See Price on Amazon
Gifts for a Coffee Snob
Last year, I did an entire post on my 10 favorite gifts for coffee snobs, and I'm back with updates for 2018 below!
Yes, there were a few items on my list that made the return from last year, but that's only because they are just that good for a coffee snob. Here's my list, in no particular order:
1
Sudden Coffee
We ran a giveaway for Sudden Coffee earlier this year because we love it so much. This is instant Speciality Coffee, freeze dried single-origin coffee pre-brewed by experts.
This is definitely not your grandmother's instant coffee.
Buy from Sudden
2
Kruve Coffee Sifter
The Kruve coffee sifter makes a great gift for a coffee snob because it allows them to refine their grind even further than their $1000 burr coffee grinder ever could.
The irony is that the Kruve is also great for those coffee snobs who can't afford an expensive burr grinder, since it helps you filter out fines and boulders without worrying about your grinder's consistency so much.
Buy Now
3
Flair Signature Espresso Maker
In the last couple of year, the Flair espresso maker has already become a staple amongst home espresso enthusiasts. Its portability, along with its affordability makes it a popular option, but the main draw is the high-quality espresso you can get out of it.
The latest version, the Signature Pro, includes a built-in pressure gauge that your coffee snob will truly appreciate.
See Price on Amazon
4
EKG Variable Temperature Kettle
This is just about as sexy and modern as a kettle can get. The EKG Variable Temperature Kettle has a unique Z-shaped spout for an even more controlled pour. The black matte finish, ergonomic handle, and clean temperature-selection interface make this an especially great option for your pour-over-obsessed coffee snob.
See Price on Amazon
5
Espro Travel Coffee Press
For the coffee snob who is frequently traveling, the Espro Travel Coffee Press doubles as a coffee maker and a travel mug. Simply add ground coffee to the permanent filter pod, followed by hot water to the travel mug (or vice versa), then press!
See Price on Amazon
6
Lido E-T Hand Grinder
The hand grinder company with a cult-like following has made it onto our list again this year, this time with the E-T model!
The Lido E-T is designed specifically for espresso-level grinds, making it the perfect companion to the Flair for portable, affordable, and high-quality espresso for under $500. Pretty much unheard of!
See Price
7
Bean Box World Coffee Tour
Bean Box, a Seattle-based coffee subscription service that we've previously reviewed, now offers a World Coffee Tour gift box, which includes 16 coffee whole bean coffee samples of varying roasts and regions.
The gift box also comes with some delicious little chocolates that go great with the coffee that's included.
Learn More
8
Third Wave Water
Third Wave Water is a mineral solution for producing water that's ideal for brewing coffee. Since brewed coffee is mostly water, it's important that the water you brew with has the right balance of minerals.
Third Wave Water takes out the guesswork, giving you perfectly formulated water every single time. Simply add the powdered formula to a gallon of distilled water, shake, and you're ready to brew.
See Price on Amazon
9
Melodrip
The Melodrip is one of the hottest new coffee brewing tools from 2018. It's kind of like the Kruve, but instead of focusing on refining your grind, it focuses on refining your pour during a pour-over.
The Melodrip is a small tray that distributes your pour gently, and evenly across the bed of coffee. It allegedly contributes to a cleaner extraction, but I still haven't had the chance to try it.
Still, if there's one tool your coffee snob still hasn't gotten her hands on, this is likely it.
Learn More
10
Acaia Pearl Scale
The Acaia Pearl is still the top-choice coffee-brewing scale amongst snobs and professionals alike. It connects via bluetooth to an app on your smartphone that guides you, the barista, towards a consistent pouring pattern.
This scale makes for a great companion to the EKG Kettle.
See Price on Amazon
The Budding Home Barista
For the Starbucks-addicted coffee lover who keeps saying they're gonna start making lattes at home to help curb their daily habit, here are some gift ideas to help get them started:
1
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Almost any coffee professional will tell you that the most important tool in your coffee-brewing arsenal is the grinder, and this is especially true for espresso-based drinks.
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is one of the more affordable burr coffee grinders out there at the moment, and it offers pretty good range and consistency for the price.
See Price on Amazon
2
Ninja Coffee Bar
You've probably seen the infomercials for the Ninja Coffee Bar, and it makes some big time promises.
The Ninja Coffee Bar can make anything from latte to iced coffee, making it one of the most versatile coffee makers on the market to-date.
Although you should not expect top-quality coffee drinks from the Ninja, the convenience makes up for its shortcomings.
See Price on Amazon
3
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
I've now been using my Breville Smart Grinder Pro for 3 years, and it has been great for making espresso-based drinks at home.
With a clean interface, 60 grind settings, and a timed doser, this is an excellent mid-tier option for the home barista who has graduated from pressurized filter baskets.
See Price on Amazon
4
Milk Frothing Pitcher with Built-in Thermometer
If your budding barista wants to make lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, or any other espresso-based drink, they'll need a frothing pitcher to accompany their shiny new espresso machine.
I like this one because it has a built-in thermometer to help take out the guesswork when steaming the milk.
See Price on Amazon
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Because the best part of every morning should be the act of making coffee As the commercial goes, the best part of waking up… is a certain brand of industrial brew often made into a watery thing resembling coffee from a flimsy machine. But really the best part of every morning should be the act of making an actually-great cup of coffee, one at a time, in a Hario V60 or Chemex or French press. The ritual of brewing coffee is itself a satisfying endeavor. There’s truly nothing wrong with using a machine to brew coffee, and some machines are even better than the methods described here: I liken it to how some people want self-driving cars while others like manual transmissions. As many people isolate at home during the novel coronavirus pandemic, there’s no better time to master the art of manually brewing coffee. Here now, five ways to make coffee almost as good as you would find in a cafe, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. What you need to start brewing coffee at home: The best possible locally roasted coffee beans you can buy There are two main markers that affect a coffee’s taste: the beans and the roast. Buy whole coffee beans from roasters who source from specific coffee-growing regions and show this off on their packaging, because highlighting farms and regions is a sign they’re investing in good-quality beans. Choose either a single-origin or a good blend to start. Single-origins show off the distinct characteristics of a farm or growing region, while blends tend to balance out flavors. Freshly roasted beans will have the most flavor and will last you the longest. When talking to a roaster, ask about a coffee’s roast profile and find something that aligns to your taste. Coffee drinkers come in all forms, and one could argue that there are two main camps when it comes to roast styles. The first favor medium-to-darker roasts with bolder but ultimately more comforting flavors (basically coffee that tastes like a really good version of what your parents drank). The other type tends to focus on lighter roasting, higher acid (or fruit-forward characteristics), and even floral notes. The flavors of coffee are virtually endless, and exploring them is why you’re getting into brewing coffee at home in the first place. Generally speaking, for good-quality coffee, don’t expect to pay anything less than $14 to $15, and often close to $20 for a 12-ounce bag (340 grams) of beans. A way to boil water You don’t need a fancy kettle with a special spout. A tea kettle or something for your stove is just fine, while electric brewers tend to bring water up to boiling faster (and sometimes to a specific temperature). I reviewed a bunch of pouring kettles here in the past, and can recommend Bonavita’s electric kettle. A way to grind the coffee Skip the cheap blade grinders in the appliance section of a drugstore or supermarket; they grind unevenly. Instead, aim to get a decent burr mill grinder, as these will be much more consistent. I use a Breville smart coffee grinder because it can be programmed to a specific length of grind time. But I’ve also owned Baratza grinders such as the Encore and the Preciso. The Encore was a fantastic grinder and performed well for years, while the more expensive Preciso broke on me a few times (I sent it in to get it serviced, too). You could also use hand grinders, and I’ve reviewed them extensively. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend owning one if you plan to brew coffee every day at home — they’re best for camping or traveling. A kitchen scale To properly “dial in” or brew coffee to a certain specification, you’ll want to use a kitchen scale to weigh out both the ground coffee and the water. A fancy one with a timer and weight to the gram is probably overkill for most people. Just make sure whatever scale you use is sturdy and water resistant enough to endure a few errant splashes of liquid. I like the Hario drip scale because it comes with a timer, but for a budget option, I recommend the Etekcity digital scale. A timing device A wristwatch or a kitchen timer is really helpful brewing coffee. You’ll see why below. A good mug Enjoying coffee is about the complete experience — sight, smell, and even sound and touch — so the drinking vessel makes a big difference. Get a nice vintage diner-style mug, or something to maybe swirl around the last few sips. Either way, pick a mug that makes you happy, because you’ve just made yourself a damn fine cup of coffee. The brewing methods: Here’s how to make great coffee at home, depending on your skill level and interest. These five brewing methods, from the old-school French press to the more technically challenging, but ultimately fulfilling Kalita Wave brewer, can appeal to every at-home-brewing personality. All of them are something even a novice home barista could learn within a few weeks, and the best part is that almost any result is going to be better than that burnt-tasting Starbucks drip. Remember: Always use fresh, filtered water, because the quality of the water will have a major impact on the flavor of the coffee. I like to brew coffee as hot as possible, bringing water up to a boil and then brewing as soon as possible. A note about ratios: Each recipe here has specific weights that you can follow, but if you’d like to make more or less, a good ratio to keep is 15 to 1 hot water to ground coffee. If you like your coffee lighter, increase the ratio to 17 or 18 to 1, and if you want it stronger, reduce to 14 to 1. For the minimalist who likes to keep it simple: Clever Coffee Dripper The background: When people ask me how they should start making “good” coffee at home, I always direct them to this. The Clever brewer is essentially a French press with a paper filter: full immersion coffee (which refers to the process that takes all the coffee grounds and fully incorporates them into water all at once) without the sludge or grit. The brewer itself can be hard to find, but Amazon or Espresso Parts has it for a bit over $20. It’s very durable and should last years of use at home, and it’s pretty good for traveling, despite its odd shape. How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device. Then, when the Clever is placed over a cup or serving kettle, a valve releases the liquid. How to brew on a Clever: Fold the edges of a No. 4 Melitta filter (which can be found at any grocery store) and place into the brewer. Rinse the filter carefully with hot water and drain through the valve over a sink or a mug (to warm the mug): Rinsing the filter reduces any residual paper flavors. Weigh out 25 grams of medium-fine coffee, reset (aka “tare”) the scale, then carefully pour in 375 grams of nearly boiling hot water (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit). Cover with the plastic lid and wait for two minutes. Using a spoon, gently break the “crust” of coffee on top and give the coffee a little swirl in the brewer so it distributes evenly. Then place the entire Clever over a mug (you’ll want a pretty big mug since the coffee you get will be about 11 ounces), which will automatically release the brewed coffee. Or you can dispense the coffee into a nice glass kettle or other container (like a fancy thick-walled cocktail mixing glass). Cleaning is easy: throw away the filter and grounds, then rinse and wash the brewer before air drying. For the enthusiast who wants to take their coffee brewing to the next level: Hario V60 The background: When “third wave,” aka hipster, coffee surfaced in the late aughts across the country’s major cities, the Hario V60 was the preferred single-cup pour over for cafes: Any barista worth their salt gets trained to brew on a V60, which was invented in Japan in 1921. Hario makes multiple types of V60s, including glass, plastic, ceramic, and even metal. Plastic is the cheapest and is the best for heat retention, but doesn’t look great. Ceramic and glass look cool, but can chip or break easily. Metal is virtually impossible to break, but the little handles can and will detach over time. Either way, the Hario V60 is the perfect entryway to brewing pour-over coffee. You’ll want a kettle that can pour nice gentle ribbons of water to best control the flow of water. What I like about the V60 is how it is simple to use, yet challenging to come up with a great cup. If you have some really special coffee and want to get the best out of it, I find the Hario is a way to draw out the most nuances. The sheer clarity of the filter and speed of the relative brewing amplifies the subtle fruit, floral, or spice flavors of a high-quality coffee, and it’s thrilling to taste those notes. How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the device, which has a big dime-sized hole at the bottom through which the brewed coffee flows out. It requires a specific conical paper filter and ridges inside to keep the paper from sticking to the brewer. How to brew on a Hario V60: There are multiple schools of thought about brewing on a Hario V60, so I’ll combine some elements from Scott Rao’s excellent instructional video here, and James Hoffmann’s delightful clip here. Start by folding over the special V60 filter (which you can get on Amazon or at your local coffee shop) and placing into the cone. Wash through with a bit of hot water into a glass kettle or large mug and discard the water. Add 28 grams of medium-fine coffee, then tare the scale. Carefully add about 60 grams of hot water and swirl around the sludge to distribute the water. This allows the coffee to “bloom” and “degas,” releasing any carbon dioxide in the bean from the roasting process. This makes more room for the water to extract the soluble matter from the coffee and draw out the most flavor. Let the coffee bloom for 45 seconds, then continue brewing. Pour the hot water in a steady stream, almost painfully slow, in a small circular motion, avoiding the walls of the brewer if possible. Stop once after a minute to swirl the cone and redistribute the grinds. Continue pouring until reaching 420 grams of water, stop pouring, then swirl the brewer again to redistribute the grinds. Hoffman’s method employs a small spoon to swirl the grinds so they don’t create a channel for the water to flow unevenly. Either method is pretty good from my experience. Aim for a total brewing time of about three minutes. The stylish coffee lover who wants a handsome all-in-one brewing device: Chemex The background: The Chemex is essentially a one-piece brewer and coffee server with some quirks. The design, which was introduced in 1941 by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, makes it the most beautiful device out there, with thick glass in a conical shape hemmed in by a wooden collar and leather laces. Early versions used hand-blown glass and a more perfectly symmetrical shape, though newer ones have a rounder bulb and even glass handles for easier cleaning. It looks great on the counter, kitchen table, or anywhere really, and the way the laboratory-like glass refracts and plays with the light when the coffee is in there makes the drink look alluring. Take it from renowned coffee expert and co-founder of London’s Square Mile Coffee James Hoffmann, who seems particularly smitten by the way coffee looks when brewed into a Chemex. And the standard 6-cup size makes more than enough coffee for two people, which makes the Chemex a great weekend brewing method for the family. How it works: Grounds go into a filter on the top of the flask-shaped device, then you pour water over the top as the coffee drips into the compartment below. Hoffmann asserts that the Chemex isn’t a perfect brewer, as the filters can sometimes lock in air and prevent a smooth flow of water, which is why the pouring spout has a divet to allow air to escape. The paper filters are thick, allowing for even extraction, but Chemex alone sells the filters you need (and they’re not necessarily cheap). How to brew with a Chemex: The method is pretty similar to the Hario V60. Rinse the paper filter (putting the thick three-ply toward the spout), discard water, and place 42 grams of medium-fine coffee in the filter. You don’t need a coarser grind than a V60, but you can adjust your grinder if you think it helps the coffee brew faster. Tare the scale. Add 100 grams of water to bloom the coffee for 45 to 60 seconds. Then carefully pour water until the scale hits 650 grams. Swirl the brewer and let the coffee drip through, which will take four to five minutes. Discard filter and enjoy. For the old-school coffee drinker who has a little extra time to burn: French press The background: The French press was my first foray into brewing coffee at home, and I ended up with grit and sludge in every cup. Brewing with a French press takes more time, and it’s a pain to clean up, but the lack of a paper filter allows some of the oils, texture, and mouthfeel of a coffee to come through. Sometimes I brew a French press because I want to taste a single-origin coffee in a different way after making a bunch of filtered cups. A French press can still make an amazing cup of coffee, and the ritual of making a cup with this still carries that analog satisfaction of years past, feeling positively vintage in the best way. And thankfully, I’ve since picked up some modern techniques to minimize the particulates. How it works: The device takes ground coffee beans and immerses them fully into hot water, much like the Clever Coffee Brewer, but in a cylindrical vessel. The difference here is that the only thing separating the grinds from the water is a mesh filter and gravity. While brewing, much of the coffee will actually sit at the top of the water and will need to be broken up with a spoon or other utensil. Allowing the grinds to gently fall to the bottom (letting gravity do its work) means that more of the sediment separates and stays out of the cup. How to brew a French press: Weigh out 30 grams of coffee and pour 500 grams of water into the brewer. Let it sit for five minutes, then use a spoon to break the crust floating on top. Use the spoon to scoop up any floating grinds or foam, then place the top part, which includes the mesh filter, right on top of the coffee (but don’t plunge it down!). Let the coffee sit for another three to four minutes, allowing the grinds to fall to the bottom. Carefully pour coffee into a mug and leave just that last bit of sludge in the brewer. Use a paper towel to scrape out the grinds and wash carefully. For the perfectionist: Kalita Wave The background: This circular style of brewer is perhaps the final destination for many home coffee brewers. All the equipment is difficult to find in a retail setting, though easily available online. The brewing method is essentially a pour over, but with a specific circular filter with smooth ridges to encourage a steady flow of water. The flat bottom with just three small holes ensures an even extraction, preventing the coffee from channeling to one side as it would in a conical shape (looking at you, Hario V60 and Chemex). If the Hario V60 was the first pour-over brewer of choice in the late aughts, the Kalita Wave gained prominence and popularity in cafes in the past five to eight years. It’s my preferred coffee-making method every morning, unless I run out of those pesky (and expensive) Wave filters. How it works: Gently place the somewhat delicate filter into the brewer and place ground coffee inside. In design, the Kalita Wave probably most resembles a standard automatic coffee machine (like a Krups or Mr. Coffee), but the shape of the paper filter allows for water to flow evenly through the coffee. And since you can control the temperature and flow of that water manually, the resulting brew is fine-tuned instead of erratic, as it often is with a countertop machine. How to brew a Kalita Wave: Similar to a V60, carefully place a Wave filter onto a glass kettle or even just a large mug, and rinse with hot water. Dump out the hot water, then place the brewer and kettle onto the scale and tare. Add 24 grams of medium-fine coffee and bloom with 60 grams of water for 30 to 45 seconds. Then pour water in a circular motion, making sure to get the coffee stuck on the edges of the filter every few pours. Stop pouring when the water gets close to the top and wait for the water to flow. Continue doing this until scale hits 380 grams total. from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3fwfIyL
http://easyfoodnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-to-brew-truly-great-coffee-at-home.html
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Coffee Gifts for Christmas, For Him, For Her – Perfect Coffee Lovers Presents.
Coffee gifts are something close to my heart, not just because I’m obviously a coffee lover, and whether it’s Christmas, Birthdays – or any other occasion, I love receiving coffee related gifts, of course – but also, because it’s a coffee related present which inspired me to create this blog!
In October 2015, my wife and kids got me a new stainless steel cafetiere as a birthday present, and I was about to write a review on Amazon for this coffee related gift, when I was inspired to create my own blog, and to start reviewing coffee related products, coffee shops, coffee beans and so on – and coffeeblog was born.
So whenever I talk about presents for coffee lovers, I’m reminded of the fact that this is how the blog started.
But aside from that, I think generally speaking, adults are quite difficult to buy gifts for – and if you’re looking to buy a gift for coffee lovers, whether it’s for him, for her, for them – there are so many great ideas for gifts, suitable for any occasion, ranging from the inexpensive and affordable, through to darn right ridiculous ;-).
Here are some ideas for you:
The Coffee Gift Subscription
The coffee gift subscription has to be up there as one of the best possible gifts for coffee lovers.
Whether it’s for Christmas, Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day – or even Valentine’s day, coffee subscriptions are a really special gift which keep on giving, well for as long as the length of the subscription anyway ;-).
Subscriptions aren’t just about keeping stocked up with coffee, quite a few coffee roasters now offer discovery subscriptions, which offer to broaden the horizons of the coffee loving gift recipient, with different coffees being delivered each time, from different origins, different coffee varietals, different processes and so on.
Many of the subscription firms offer gift subscriptions, which allow you to purchase a set number of deliveries over a set period, which don’t automatically renew – allowing you to get someone a subscription for a month, or for three months, for example, without ending up paying for their coffee for the next ten years ;-).
See my best coffee subscriptions post, and the new coffee subscriptions directory.
Hario V60
This is a fantastic gift for anyone who loves coffee.
If they don’t have one, then you’ll be doing them a huge service by getting them one, if they already have one then they will more than likely be very happy to have a second V60, as it means they can make two coffees at a time, or leave one at work.
The V60 is a pourover coffee dripper, it’s very simple, you put a filter in, put the ground coffee in the filter, pour the water over it, and: filter coffee, in fact, the potential for fantastic coffee! I say potential for, because the user has a big part to play in that, as does the coffee and the grind size, but if you get it right or even anywhere near right with a V60 you’re in for a very enjoyable coffee.
They’re from about a fiver, depending on which option you go for (plastic or ceramic, and a few different sizes), so a great option is to buy someone a V60 plus a bag of freshly brewed speciality coffee from one of the brilliant small batch coffee roasters, most of which you’ll find on the UK coffee roasters directory.
Pact coffee have an offer for coffee blog readers, which gives you a free V60 when you sign up for a subscription, so this is a great idea if you’re thinking of buying someone a V60 + coffee, click here for that offer.
Aeropress
This is another must-have coffee maker for anyone who is serious about coffee – and as with the V60, even if they already have one, no one will mind having a second one, you’d only use one at a time, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have one in the office and one at home for instance.
Aeropress was invented a few years ago by the Bill Adler, the genius who invented the Aerobie flying disk.
He was stood in the office kitchen drinking a slightly bitter coffee from the electric filter machine, while discussing with a colleague about how there should be a better way to quickly make a great single cup of coffee, and then decided that since he’s an inventor who specialises in aerodynamics, he should be able to rise to this challenge – and he did!
Aeropress is awesome, and it isn’t just novice home Barista’s like me who think so, a growing number of professional Baristas brew coffee with Aeropress, and there are even national and international Aeropress championships.
If the person you’re looking for a coffee gift for likes to travel, or to go camping or hiking for instance, then it makes Aeropress an even better prospect, as it’s very portable, easy to stick in a bag to take out when needed, and all you need to use it is ground coffee and hot water. When it comes to cleaning, you just push the plunger and a puck of used coffee grounds pops out, and then you give it a wipe or a rinse, and that’s that.
They’re about £20 or £25 if you go for the one with the Aeropress zip up storage tote bag.
Keepcup
Having a decent coffee in a paper cup is a no-no for a speciality coffee lover, or at least a ‘would prefer not to’, and keepcup is one of the leading brands of reusable cups.
They make them in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and materials. They range in price from about a fiver upwards, and I really don’t think you can go wrong with a keepcup as a gift for someone who loves coffee.
Using reusable cups vs. disposable takeaway cups is of course also an issue when it comes to the environment, due not only to the vast amount of trees that are used in creating takeaway cups, but also the ridiculous amount of paper cups that are put into landfill each year!
Goat Story
Along the same lines as keepcup, but more unique, is the Goat Story travel coffee cup. I really like the look of the Goat Story cup, they’re completely mad, which I think is brilliant ;-), who would think of making a coffee cup in the shape of a goat horn?
The idea comes from the contentious story of the origins of coffee, and the goats munching on coffee cherries.
They look and feel like a really good quality product, they come with a holder and strap, and can be attached to a bag or carried around the shoulder with the strap, and are available in three material options, faux leather, real leather & hemp, and in a range of colours.
If you know anyone who would want to carry their coffee around with them on a strap, and not need to be concerned with whether the travel cup is upright, for instance, someone who cycles to work, the Goat Story mug could be a great gift, especially if that person likes things which are a bit alternative.
For lots of other great travel cups that would be good ideas for gifts for coffee lovers, see best travel cups, best leak proof travel mugs and best reusable coffee cups.
Freshly roasted coffee beans
I can’t think of a much better idea for an inexpensive coffee gift idea than freshly roasted coffee beans!
I’ve mentioned subscriptions already, but if you didn’t want to buy someone a coffee subscription, another idea would be to buy them a bag or two, or three, depending on how generous you’re feeling ;-).
I would recommend that you first ascertain whether or not the person you’re buying a gift for has a coffee grinder. If they have a grinder then obviously go for whole beans, if they don’t then find out what their favourite brewing method is, and source a freshly roasted coffee ground for that brew method.
To really treat someone who loves coffee, get them some freshly roasted coffee beans from one of the many small batch coffee roasters in the UK.
You can expect to pay roughly £6 – £12 for 250g bag of freshly roasted coffee beans – well worth it in my opinion, and in the relatively near future with what is happening at the moment with climate change, we’ll probably look back nostalgically at these prices when we’re paying far more for coffee beans!
Home Barista Course
Here’s a great idea for gift for speciality coffee lovers – a home barista course!
If you know someone who loves coffee, who would love the chance to not just be a coffee lover, AKA “coffee snob”, but actually be a trained home barista.
This course is just £49, it’s a two hour course, and the guys at Winchester Coffee School take the home barista through what basically seems to be a slightly scaled down version of their professional barista training, including training on the grinder, Espresso machine, technique, milk steaming, and more. If the coffee lover you’re buying for already has a setup, they can take their Espresso machine and grinder along with them, so they’re learning on their own gear – if not, they can use the in-house equipment.
Personally, I think a course like this, for the sake of fifty quid, is a must-have for any budding home barista. Apart from anything else, proper home barista prosumer gear is expensive, and learning to properly maintain it via a course like this to extend the life of the kit, is easily worth more than the cost of the course in terms of how much longer the kit is likely to last as a result, if you ask me. Plus, if you’re going to make Espresso at home – you may as well make the very best Espresso possible, and I’m speaking from experience when I say that training makes a big difference! They also do a latte art training course, which I might actually do myself… I can pour Latte art, to a certain degree, but I’d love some more training focused purely on pouring latte art.
Click here for more info on the home barista course from Winchester Coffee School.
The Sage Smart Grinder Pro
You won’t get much change from £200 (click here to check the current Amazon UK price) but this is a brilliant coffee grinder for home if you’re looking to spend a bit more on the special coffee lover in your life.
To the uninitiated, this may seem like a crazy amount of money to spend on a coffee grinder, however, if you’re in the coffee industry you’ll know this is actually a very low-cost grinder, in fact, some don’t even class this grinder as a prosumer grinder!
Prosumer means commercial level gear made for the consumer market, and I certainly do class the smart grinder pro as prosumer, having had mine for over 2 years now, but some of the most popular coffee grinders cost £300 and then some – with many in the range of £500-£1,000 or even higher.
One of the great things about this grinder is it’s so easy to change the grind for various different processes, and it’s fine for practically all methods, from Cafetiere all the way to Espresso, so regardless of which coffee brewing method the person you’re buying from favours, they’ll love the smart grinder pro.
DeLonghi ESAM 4200 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Again, at about £300 (click here to check the current price on Amazon UK)this isn’t a little gift, so we may be going way out of your price range here, but still – there may be some people reading this who’re specifically looking for a bean to cup coffee machine as a Christmas gift or birthday present, for a loved one – or even for yourself ;-).
Some speciality coffee lovers, myself included, wouldn’t choose to use a bean to cup coffee machine, but that’s not to say that they’re not a great option for many coffee lovers.
I prefer to use manual espresso machines, I prefer to have the full control that I have from using a separate grinder and espresso machine, but I do recognize the fact that using a semi-automatic espresso machine – or a manual machine such as my La Pavoni Euripiccola, isn’t for everyone.
The difference is that some coffee lovers want to be home baristas, while some don’t. Being a home Barista is a hobby, it involves investing a lot of time and cash – while many coffee lovers don’t have the time or inclination to embark on such a hobby, and just want to put great speciality coffee beans in the top, and get great coffee out at the bottom – and for these coffee lovers, I think bean to cup machines are great.
Sure, having a separate decent grinder and prosumer espresso machine gives the potential for incredible shots of Espresso, but let’s be honest – skill is very important when it comes to Espresso – and there’s also the potential for terrible shots of Espresso that belong in the sink – while bean to cup machines might not quite have the potential for the same god shots that you may hope to master in the longrun, they do make pretty darn good espresso straight out the box – as long as you’re using pretty darn good coffee beans, of course.
I feature the Delonghi ESAM 4200 because they sent it to me to try for a week – I thought it was brilliant, for the money, and I was surprised to find I was even able to steam milk with it which worked for Latte art, I wasn’t expecting that. See my Delonghi ESAM 4200 review for more.
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Coffee Gifts for Christmas, For Him, For Her – Perfect Coffee Lovers Presents. published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee
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