Gear & Guides
Items that will elevate their barista game—at home or on the road.
Coffee can be an essential part of travel—wouldn’t trips to places like Italy, Turkey, or Vietnam be remiss without at least a few cups of the local brew? A warm cup has also no doubt been a key comfort for some during the last year of stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions. Below are 11 gifts for coffee lovers who aspire to be at-home coffee professionals or amateur baristas on the road.
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AeroPress Coffee/Espresso Maker
This portable and manual brewer is a favorite of baristas around the globe, and it will save caffeine-dependent travelers from suffering through another cup of watery coffee in the hotel lobby. The AeroPress uses a rapid immersion brewing process resulting in smooth, low-acidity coffee that is far less bitter than a French press. In addition to American-style coffee, the press does espresso and even cold brew. Its slim cylinder tucks neatly into a carry-on and would be fitting for any destination, from a rustic campsite to a regal hotel suite.
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Hario Coffee Bean Hand Grinder
This portable grinder is another staple that will ensure their mug has the freshest taste possible, even on the road. Because it’s hand-operated, it can be used virtually anywhere, no outlet required. The device works essentially like a pepper mill, with whole beans going in the top and coffee grounds collecting in the glass chamber below. Reviewers say that it easily makes two cups of drip coffee. Plus, the handle is removable for easy packing.
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Kopi Mug & Warmer Set
Anyone who likes their coffee piping hot would be glad to get this Kopi warmer mug. Using magnetic induction to heat a metallic layering in the bottom of the mug, the Kopi keeps drinks warm all day, minus the burnt flavor some hot plates can add. While the set would likely be a welcome addition to any home office set-up, reviewers say the mug and warmer disc are also fairly packable. As a bonus, the bottom plate can double as a wireless phone charger—just make sure it cools first.
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Driftaway Coffee Subscription
International travel might be difficult now, but sampling coffee from around the world doesn’t have to be. Driftaway’s subscription boxes send a monthly selection of single-origin beans—from the likes of Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Uganda—right to your doorstep. To start, members are sent a tasting kit in order to identify their favorite types of roasts and customize their boxes. And the selection is definitely a step above grocery store blends: All of Driftaway’s coffee is purchased from small-batch farmers around the world, and each box includes information on the story of the farmer who grew that month’s beans.
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Hario Cold Brew Bottle
Is the coffee lover in your life committed to cold brew, even in sub-zero temperatures? Then this Hario coffee bottle is a must-have. The wine-sized bottle makes five cups of cold brew in eight hours—they just have to fill the center mesh filter with their favorite grounds, add water, and let it sit overnight. The silicone spout on top simplifies pouring, while the glass is heat-proof and extra durable, should they want to bring the whole contraption along on their next trip.
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The World Atlas of Coffee
This is the definitive handbook to all things coffee. In addition to step-by-step guides for every home-brewing method imaginable, the atlas details the history and taste profiles of the world’s best coffee-producing regions. It also “covers where coffee is grown, the people who grow it and the cultures in which it is a way of life,” says Bookshop.org. New countries included in this expanded edition are: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, China, Philippines, Thailand, Haiti, and Puerto Rico.
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Borosilicate Glass Espresso Cups
Anyone who’s serious about coffee knows an artfully brewed espresso shot tastes even better when sipped from an equally artful cup. This set of six souvenir-worthy espresso cups from the MOMA in New York will add the final professional touch to any doppio or macchiato (with the added bonus of supporting the newly reopened museum). The cups’ eclectic mid-century vibe adds to their one-of-a-kind feel, making each caffeinated swig all the more enjoyable.
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Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
It’s a classic for a reason: The Chemex pour-over is simple to use and yields smooth, delicious coffee with every brew. A paper filter with coffee grounds goes right into the top cone, followed by boiling water. This eight-cup version is a solid foundation for any at-home morning coffee ritual, and Chemex even says that the minimalist hourglass design allows for coffee to be covered, refrigerated, and reheated without losing any of flavor.
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HadinEEon Electric Milk Frother & Steamer
While sloshing mugs of café au lait in Paris or an early morning cappuccino in Rome might be out of reach for the foreseeable future, they can recreate the experience at home with this combination milk frother and steamer. The HadiEEOn froths hot or cold milk in less than two minutes at the push of a button. The manufacturer says whole milk foams up best, but for non-dairy drinkers, reviewers note that the machine can also produce a billowy froth with almond milk. If foam isn’t your thing, there’s a setting to only heat the milk, too—another useful feature to cash in come hot cocoa season.
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Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
If they’re interested in pour-over, then they’ll need a kettle. An electric version makes things easy—especially this one from Fellow, which has a dial to set the water’s exact temperature. Other convenient features include the angled spout for precise pouring and a warmer mode that maintains the water temperature for up to one hour. At-home baristas striving for truly professional brews will also make use of the kettle’s built-in stop watch, which allows them to time any pour-over down to the second.
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Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker
When it comes to Italian-style coffee, the stovetop Moka pot is hard to beat: It’s been a staple in kitchens throughout Italy and beyond since its invention in 1933. This small aluminum wonder is a beloved classic for its ultra-strong, espresso-like coffee and its low-tech engineering. Water is placed in the bottom chamber and as it boils, steam forces the hot water up through the coffee filter fitted in the middle of the device. Brewed coffee collects in the carafe on top. The metal pot looks great on a countertop and travels well, too. In fact, author Namwali Serpell told us last year that she takes one with her almost everywhere.
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