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Top Picks

One of the great things about owning a coffee business is that we get to try out  lots of different products.  So based on our experience, we have put together a list of our current favorite Brewing Devices, Coffee Grinders, and Misc products for those of you looking to step up your coffee experience. Any products listed below link to Amazon and any purchases you make from them after clicking on the links below will help fund the development of Lao coffee farmers! Even if your just purchasing something simple off Amazon, like a new tool or a gift, using this link also helps further the cause!

Brewing Method

There are like a 1,000,000 and 1 different ways to brew a cup of coffee… What is your current favorite?

vacpot I love using my Yama Siphon Vacuum Pot if for no other reason than it looks like a crazy science experiment.  It creates incredibly smooth and great tasting coffee at the perfect temperature and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take their coffee experience to the next level.  It can be purchased in both 15oz and 20oz sizes from Amazon.

 

You can check it out here:

Yama Coffee Siphon Vacuum Pot

aeropressI usually don’t get around to making my coffee till I am in the office and the Aeropress is a very portable way to brew a quick cup that in no way sacrifices quality.  That being said, this would still be my go to method at home if I only needed to brew a single cup.  It also can even make espresso.  It usually sells for about $30 and includes a case, utensils, and a ton of filters.  By far my favorite brewing method so far.

You can check it out here:

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

chemexI used to think that brewing methods didn’t matter, but then a coworker introduced me to Chemex coffee and I can honestly say I had no idea what I was missing out on.  It is such a simple contraption, but its shape is specifically engineered to allow for complete saturation of the grinds which you will never get with your traditional coffee pot.  It can also comes in a variety of different sizes ranging from 3 cups to 10 cups.  I love this thing.

You can check it out here:

Chemex 6-Cup Glass Coffeemaker

Grinders

One of the best ways to ensure a fresh cup of coffee is to grind your beans just before you brew with a burr grinder.  Here are a few of our favorite grinders:

sad At this point I use a blade grinder which, although it is better than using pre-ground beans, is really not the ideal way to grind coffee because it will provide an inconsistent result and can even burn the beans. So although I would love to recommend a grinder, I will refrain until I can provide a solid recommendation. However, for your convenience, I did link to the top rated coffee grinders on Amazon. Just make sure you get a burr grinder and not a blade.

Top Rated Coffee Grinders on Amazon:

Amazon Coffee Grinders

PorlexJP-30CoffeeGrinderCurrently my favorite grinder would have to be my Porlex burr grinder.  It really pairs perfectly with the Aeropress because it is sized to fit perfectly inside the Aeropress tube for storage.  I also use this in the office because it is a manual grinder and therefore much quieter than an electric grinder. It has an adjustable ceramic burr and stainless steel body that is very easy to clean while always producing a consistent grind. It even provides a decent forearm workout as a bonus. 😉 In my opinion it is a must have for an on-the-go coffee drinker that doesn’t always have access to an electric grinder.

You can check it out here:

Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

BodumBistroElectricBurrCoffeeGrinder Having a consistency in your coffee grinds is important not just for taste, but especially important when using something like a french press where smaller grinds will be missed by the filter.  The great thing about this grinder is that it always produces a consistent grind at the touch of a button. It also comes in a variety of different colors.

You can check it out here:

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

Other Coffee Supplies

Sometimes coffee is not complete without some of these finishing touches. Here are a few of our favorites:

MilkFrotherIt’s often the little extras in life that make things more enjoyable and this milk frother would be a prime example. For the cost of one cappuccino at a coffee shop, you can make your own cappuccino at home with this fine tool. It is an IKEA product, but by no means is this cheap in terms of quality. Just insert 2 AA batteries and this thing will froth milk with top tier coffeehouse standards in seconds. Not only that, if you keep a bit of whipping cream in your fridge, just pour a bit into a cup with some powdered sugar and vanilla and the frother will turn it into a single serving of fresh homemade whip cream in a jiffy.

You can check it out here:

IKEA Milk Frother

ContigoAutosealMugI have a few different travel mugs and this one would have to be my favorite when you consider both functionality and design. In regards to functionality, probably the best feature in my mind is that the mug automatically seals and only opens when you grip it; whereas my other travel mugs typically have a lid that can manually be sealed, but typically they always remain open. This automatic sealing feature has saved me several times from spills and also keeps the beverage hot longer (the company says it keeps beverages hot for 4 hours). Regarding design, in my opinion I think it is one of the best looking mugs out there. You can get it in a variety of colors and sizes and if you are looking for a travel mug I would highly recommend it.

You can check it out here:

Contigo Autoseal Coffee Mug

ChairFor me, one of the main reasons I like coffee is not just the way it tastes or the caffeine boost I get from it, but how coffee is a chance to slow down and just take a break. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is crazy busy all the time, I know I feel like I am. But taking just a few minutes out of the day to enjoy a cup of coffee is often the exact thing I need. With that in mind, I recently purchased some Adirondack rocking chairs and small table for my front porch and this furniture has quickly become a meaningful part of my coffee experience because when I am rocking in one of these chairs with a cup of joe, it as if time slows down and I am able to take a much needed breath. To top it off, the chairs are made of a highly durable composite material so they are maintenance free.

You can check it out here:

Adirondack Porch Rocker

Want more reviews?

Let us know what your Top Picks are on Facebook or Twitter and we will try to check out your favorites.  If we like them enough, we will add them to our list and give you a shout out!

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