Each year I compile a list of the gifts I would give a coffee-loving friend.
This my list for 2024!
I try to cover all the bases – from someone who wants an easy way to make coffee, to the person who is more into hands-on brewing.
Plus, for a person who already has the brewing and grinding systems they want, I have come up with a few ideas for accessories too.
Just to be clear, this is all equipment we have tried and tested ourselves, and have reviewed in this site.
Let’s get started…
The portable coffee maker I would give to a friend.
The OXO Rapid BrewerI’ve tried a ton of portable coffee makers. How come? Because even if we’re going away just for a long weekend, my wife and I like to bring our own coffee-making gear.
Our favorite is the OXO Rapid Brewer. This is a portable brewing system that makes hot or cold coffee in just a few minutes. We’ve used it at home, and in hotels… and we really like it. It’s super-compact, has a solid build, and is really easy to use. And yes, it makes a great brew!
This is a fantastic gift for anyone who likes to travel… whether they are staying in a hotel, RV, or tent.
Read our full review of the OXO Raid Brewer here…
The drip brewer I would give to a friend.
We use a Bonavita drip brewer every day at home. It’s one of the few brewers approved by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and is used by a number of top industry experts in their homes. It’s not even very expensive.
See our full review here…
The semi-automatic espresso machine I would give to a friend.
To be fair, there are plenty of semi-automatic espresso machines I haven’t tried. But of the four or five I have, I like this one. It’s solid and reliable. Its key feature is that unlike many other machines in its price range it has a double boiler, heating water at different temperatures for making the espresso shot and steaming the water.
See our full review here…
The pod-based espresso machine I would give to a friend.
This machine makes only espressos and lungos, which are longer espresso shots. It uses single-use capsules, like K-Cups for espresso. I like it because the machine is super-slim and fits easily on any counter, and it makes a very nice shot of espresso.
And, of course, it’s much easier and faster that using a semi-automatic machine. It’s the best-priced of the Nespresso machines, but doesn’t come with its own milk frother. (See below for our favorite milk frother.)
See our full review here…
The milk frother I would give to a friend.
I’ve tried all kind of milk frothers in the past. Out of all of them, the Maestri House frother is the keeper.
It’s extremely simple to use, with only the settings that are important to you… like temperature, and the thickness or stiffness of the frothed milk. Great for a cappuccino, hot chocolate or any other holiday beverage.
Read our full review here…
The coffee grinder I would give to a friend.
Actually, I have two favorite coffee grinders, both of which are conical burr grinders – the best kind. For years I used the Capresso Infinity grinder, and it’s still going strong. But recently I switched over to the Breville grinder.
Why? Because the Dose-Control Pro has a dial that allows me to grind the exact amount of coffee I need for my drip brewer each morning. I just press one button and I’m done.
Read our full review here…
The pour-over brewer I would give to a friend.
There are a number of products out there that will do the job if you want to make coffee manually, using the pour-over method.
I vote for the Chemex for aesthetic reasons. I love the look of it, and the fact that it’s made from glass, wood and leather. No plastic in sight!
For me there is something very appealing about a tool that requires manual skill, plenty of practice…and is made with non-synthetic materials.
See our full review here…
The coffee scales I would give to a friend.
Truth be told, I have only ever tried one set of coffee scales, the Escali Arti. I dare say there are others that are just as good.
As a gift idea, scales are perfect for the person who is getting more serious about making great coffee, but is still using a scoop to measure out the ground coffee.
With a set of scales like these you can measure to the nearest gram and really get into refining your brew.
If you know someone who is moving up the coffee appreciation ladder, they’ll love you for giving them some digital scales.
You can read more about why and when I use these scales here.
The coffee maker I would give to a friend who travels a lot.
I have a few brewing systems that would work fine when I travel. But I particularly like the Impress for a couple of reasons.
First, it is both a French press and a travel mug, rolled into one. I make my coffee in the Impress, and then carry it with me and drink from it. Super simple.
Second, it is made from stainless steel and silicone. This means I never have to worry about breaking it. Even if it has a rough time at the airport or if I drop it on the floor.
It makes a great cup of coffee too.
See our full review here…
We’ve curated a collection of brewers, grinders, espresso machines and more at Amazon.
Most of the items in the store have been tried and reviewed by us here at Coffee Detective. Hands on!
Our Coffee Gear Store at Amazon.
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