You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Baratza Encore’ tag.
Coffee and Coffee Snobbery are recurring themes on this site. As you know, I work for the nice guys at Prima Coffee. Naturally, I have a fair amount to say about coffee equipment. Many coffee snobs find themselves (to their chagrin) receiving Starbucks cards for Christmas. While I am thankful for such gifts, because Jen really likes their hot apple cider, I think it helpful to provide a list of good gift ideas for your favorite coffee snobs. So, here’s my list of great Coffee gifts divided under: $0-$25, $25-$50, $50-$100, and $100+.
GIFTS FOR COFFEE SNOBS - $0-$25
DCILY KeepCup – $14.50
(http://dearcoffeeiloveyou.merchmo.com/products/detail/oz_DCILY_Mission_KeepCup_6087)
This is a sweet reusable travel cup featuring one of my favorite coffee blogs – DCILY.
Clever Coffee Brewer – $16
(http://prima-coffee.com/brewer/clever-coffee-dripper-abid)
I have said multiple times before that the Clever is the best entry-level manual brewer on the market. I absolutely love this brewer. It is a great gift.
Intelligentsia Gift Card – $25
(http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/product/merchandise/intelligentsia-gift-card)
Intelligentsia is one of my absolute favorite roasters. Their coffee subscription service on their website, however, is confusing. Thus, I recommend a gift card. Intelli ships all over the place, and you can find great coffee (and sweet mugs) on their site.
Sweet Maria’s Green Coffee – $$$
(http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.greencoffee.mvc.php?source=side)
These vary in price, but if you know someone that does their own roasting, Sweet Maria’s is a great resource.
GIFTS FOR COFFEE SNOBS - $25-$50
Aeropress – $25.95
(http://prima-coffee.com/brewer/aerobie-aeropress-coffee-maker)
The AeroPress is a great little brewer. A little more effort than a Clever, but it makes a great cup of coffee. Mind you, it only makes one cup, but it does it well.
Hario Metal Coffee Press – $27.75
(http://prima-coffee.com/hario/coffee-press)
If you’re into French Press coffee, this is a good little brewer for you. Prima is also selling it dirt cheap for Black Friday.
Hario Mini Mill Manual Coffee Grinder – $31.95
(http://prima-coffee.com/grinder/hario-coffee-grinder-mini-mill-slim)
The best little hand grinder out there. Gives you a good workout while grinding your coffee. Functional for espresso to French Press, which is quite versatile…trust me.
Jennings CJ4000 Scale – $38.75
(http://prima-coffee.com/catalog/jennings-cj4000-scale-29075)
I find that I brew coffee best when I am exact with the weights of both the grounds and the water. The Jennings scale is precise. It also has an AC adapter so you don’t have to buy batteries every six weeks.
Hario V60 Pour-Over Set-Up – $43
(http://prima-coffee.com/brewer/hario-v60-pour-over-set)
I have this set-up at home (except with a ceramic brewer). I love this system. Although you will need to purchase a pouring kettle as well (see below).
Bonavita Electric Pouring Kettle – $49.99
(http://prima-coffee.com/bonavita/electric-pouring-kettle)
This is the kettle I rock at home. It is also helpful for warming up my daughter’s bottles.
GIFTS FOR COFFEE SNOBS - $50-$100
AeroPress and Mini Mill Combo – $57
(http://prima-coffee.com/catalog/coffee-travel-kit-aeropress-and-mini-mill-17033)
Put two items from the list above and get ‘em for cheaper. Enough said.
Hario Buono Pouring Kettle – $53
(http://prima-coffee.com/hario/buono)
Pours better than the Bonavita kettle, but it costs a bit more and doesn’t heat up water automatically. Your call as to which is better.
Counter Culture 3-month Coffee Subscription – $64.95
(http://my.counterculturecoffee.com/coffee/subscriptions/)
I love Counter Culture Coffee. They have a good subscription service for varying durations.
GIFTS FOR COFFEE SNOBS - $100+
Tonx Coffee 3-Month Subscription (2 12oz bags per month) – $114 ($38/mo)
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder – $129
(http://prima-coffee.com/grinder/baratza-encore-conical-burr-coffee-grinder)
My favorite entry-level electronic grinder. It is very flexible and reliable. We use it everyday in the office.
Six-month Craft Coffee Subscription – $134.94
(http://www.craftcoffee.com/products/artisan-coffee-tasting-box)
Great subscription service. Craft coffee sends you great coffee from several great roasters.
Prima Tamp – $140
(http://prima-coffee.com/prima/prima-tamp)
Just talked about this yesterday. It still rocks.
Bonavita Thermal Carafe Automatic Brewer – $149.99
(http://prima-coffee.com/brewer/bonavita-automatic-coffee-brewer-thermal-carafe)
The only automatic coffee brewer I recommend. Great gift for anyone at half the price of a Technivorm (another good automatic brewer).
Until later friends…
Baratza has recently announced a new development in the home coffee burr grinder world. My friend Matt posted an informative blog about it at Prima Coffee: Baratza Encore Grinder Announced: Maestro Series Rides Off Into the Sunset. This is a pretty sweet development in home coffee brewing. The Baratza Encore is – in my opinion – the best entry-level coffee grinder on the market for various coffee-brewing methods. I have yet to purchase an electric burr grinder due to the fact that Jen is not a big fan of coffee, and if I’m going to spend big bucks on something, it should be something for both of us. The Baratza Encore is tempting though, and I might just find a way to put it on our baby registry 
.
The Baratza Encore is pretty sweet, but it is still somewhat sad to say goodbye to the Baratza Maestro Plus. The Maestro was the first to go, and now the Maestro Plus.
I feel like the passing on of the Maestro series is like the loss of a great mentor, like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Highlander). Yet, as is the case with both Kenobi and Ramirez, the death of the master (Maestro series) allows the student (Encore) to grow in power.
Speaking of Sean Connery. I have to share this.
I love that reading this out loud necessitates a Sean Connery accent. I am also reading King Solomon’s Mines for the first time. You may not be familiar with that book, but you may be familiar with the protagonist Allan Quatermain, whom Sean Connery played in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Since my first exposure to the character of Allan Quartermain came from that film, I can only imagine him as I read as Sean Connery. This is especially entertaining, because the book is written in the first person in the character of Quartermaine. Therefore, I read each word with Sean Connery’s accent in my mind. Even if this book shapes up to be awful, I think I’m going to love it for that reason alone.
Until later friends…
