Gift Buying Guide for the Coffee Lover

*Note: scroll to the bottom for our cheat sheet of recommended coffee kits if this is straight mumbo jumbo to you.*

Your friend or family member likes coffee. I mean really likes coffee. There’s probably a diagnosable mental health condition that accurately defines their common-law marriage to coffee.

Coffee geek test.

Here’s the way to verify if said friend is having an affair with this liquid black gold. Below, note every item they use in their everyday coffee vocabulary:

• Local.
• Fresh roasted.
• Light roast.
• Artisan.
• Craft.
• Pour over.
• French press.
• Notes of.
• Aromatics.
• Starbucks is burnt.
• Auto drip coffee is burnt.
• *Hand burnt from the hot kettle*
• Circular hand motion.
• Water between 195º and 205º.
• Acidity.
• Fruit flavors.
• Mouthfeel.
• Aftertaste.
• Dances on the tongue.
• Viscosity.
• Folgers? Never heard of it.
• I didn’t know the grocery store sold coffee.
• Medium-fine grind.
• Grind it every morning.
• *Scoffs at pre-ground*

If your beloved coffee lover checks off on at least 25% of these above listed items, then they likely have an incurable coffee syndrome. The greatest benefits to you? 1. You get snob-level coffee every time you hang out. 2. It’s pretty entertaining to witness the artisan at work and giggle at the unintelligible hipster lingo. 3. You know EXACTLY what to get them as a gift for the next 5-10 years.

For the birthday or holiday gift.

Upcoming birthday or holiday? Here’s a handpicked list of coffee items to strategically choose from on their behalf. We have the perfect gift ideas to suit ALL types of coffee humans. Here’s what you’ll find:

Coffee bar table of contents.

1. 1. Quick tips for the novice.
   2. Brewing methods.
   3. Coffee subscriptions.
   4. Craft coffee on Amazon.
   5. Coffee grinders.
   6. Hot water kettles.
   7. Coffee filters.
   8. Mugs.
   9. The cheat sheet: our recommended coffee kits.

Quick tips for the novice.

In order to brew great coffee, they need at least one brewing method (some need filters), whole bean coffee from somewhere (or home roasted), a coffee grinder and a kettle. Two grouped options as a fantastic next step:

1. Pour over + gooseneck kettle + some filters.
2. French press + standard electric kettle.

They may be using a blade/spice grinder to grind up their coffee. Upgrade them to basic burr grinder for a more consistent grind.

They will LOVE anything you get them. Have at it, you thoughtful gift-giver!

Disclaimer: I have a personal, hands-on experience with most of the branded items below, and ALL of the subcategories. I intentionally left off the obscure, novelty-only coffee accoutrements. All products below are easily usable on a daily basis to meet the coffee aficionado’s needs. This list is NOT exhaustive – it’s practical.

Brewing methods.

1. POUR OVER.
   • Chemex.
     • If a glass decanter and a standard pour over had a baby, it’d be a Chemex. The lovely design piece to keep on your counter. A thicker filter to accentuate the fruity and citrus acidity on lighter roasted coffees. The brewing method most of the leading craft coffee shops use for drip coffee.
     • 
     • 
   • Hario V60.
     • The take-anywhere ceramic pour over that fits on top of your mug or tempered glass decanter. Thinner filter to accentuate all subtleties, but still offering a clean, grit-free experience. Single hole for coffee to drip through that slows the process and extracts more flavor.  
     • 
   • Bee House.
     • V60’s cousin. The 2 holed ceramic, top-of-mug pour over. The cone filter has a flat bottom, offering a greater steep time for more intensely flavored coffees.
     • 
   • Kalitta Wave.
     • The “coffee scientist in a laboratory” approach. Stainless steel. Travel anywhere. 3 holes with a completely flat bottomed filter for the greatest accentuation of volatile flavors.
     • 
   • BEST VALUE: copycat ceramic V60 for $11.
     • The function of a ceramic V60 pour over for half the price.
     • 
2. FRENCH PRESS.
   • Coffee Gator’s Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel French Press.
     • The upscale version. Stainless steel because EVERYONE breaks their first glass french press. Broke my first beaker on Christmas day (Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal). Double wall insulated so the outer steel doesn’t get hot and the inner steel keeps the coffee steaming for an hour or more. The 4 minute steep time fully extracts every flavor component into your cup, along with a little rustic grit at the bottom. Perfect for travel or camping.
     • 
   • BEST VALUE: Utopia Kitchen’s double walled steel french press.
     • The cost effective version. Comparable to the Coffee Gator press above.
     • 
3. AEROPRESS.
   • The guys who invented the Aerobie frisbee designed an incredibly creative brewing method. It’s a glorified plunger. A poor man’s espresso. The steep time and full flavor extraction of a french press, but with the clean, no-grit cup of a pour over. Tiny disc paper filters make all the difference. Excellent for travel or camping. No gooseneck kettle required for pouring.
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4. HARIO SIPHON (VACUUM BREWER).
   • The chemistry set gone coffee maker. Like the Chemex, it’s countertop art. It’s the conversation piece. The water heats in the bottom glass container, builds up pressure and pushes to the top glass container. Add coffee, stir and remove from heat to witness science. As the temp drops in the bottom, the pressure drops and sucks the coffee from top to bottom through a cloth filter. Extremely difficult to master. Extremely easy to show off.
   • 
5. STOVETOP ESPRESSO MAKER.
   • Bialetti stovetop espresso maker.
     • The true poor man’s espresso made on the stovetop. Similar to a steel version of the siphon, it pushes water upward as the bottom chamber heats up. However, the coffee is stuck in a metal basket in the center, so the water extracts coffee essence as it plunges to the highest chamber or carafe. For the espresso drink lovers.
     • 
6. COLD BREWER.
   • Toddy cold brew system.
     • The most well known cold brew coffee setup. The coffee steeps for hours in the chamber to create a lower acidity, sweeter, rounder, less bitter cup.
     • 
   • BEST VALUE: Hario cold brew coffee pot.
     • Another version of a cold brew coffee system from one of the world’s leading coffee method brands. Maker of the V60.
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7. CRAFT AUTO DRIP MACHINES.
   • Technivorm coffee maker.
     • The renowned, handmade, Dutch coffee maker that usually wins every auto drip coffee review. Highest price tag for a reason ($300+). Temperature controlled brewing and evenly dispersed pouring. The gold standard for those who want convenience AND craft every morning.
     • 
   • BEST VALUE: OXO Barista Brain coffee maker.
     • The more cost effective version of the Technivorm. Temp controlled and better water dispersion than most auto drip machines. Not handmade, enabling this product to be sold between ~$150 to ~$200.
     • 

Coffee subscriptions.

1. Mistobox coffee subscription.
   • The top rated coffee subscription box on the market. Customizable. Algorithm-based: you enter what you like and they make very specific and tailored suggestions. 50+ artisan coffee roasters within their network. Easy way to taste all the coffees at a reasonable price. For those who want flavor exploration. The “learner’s” caffeine-induced wonderland.
   • 
2. Bean Box coffee sampler box.
   • The best rated coffee sample subscription on Amazon. For Washington state coffee lovers all over the US. All premiere Bean Box roasters hail from the greater Seattle area. Excellent variety of origins, roasts and flavor profiles.
   • 

Craft coffee on Amazon.

1. Counter Culture Forty-Six – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for dark roast lovers.
2. Counter Culture Apollo – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for light roaster lovers.
3. Stumptown Hairbender – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for medium to light roast lovers.
4. Stumptown French Roast – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for extra dark roast lovers.
5. Intelligentsia House Blend – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for light roast lovers.
6. Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso – 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for darker roast lovers.

Note: each of these (3) market-leading national brands have multiple other offerings on Amazon. Feel free to explore!

Coffee grinders.

1. HAND GRINDER.
   • Hario hand grinder.
     • For the DIY coffee makers who value romance above convenience. Completely manual coffee grinder likely invented before electricity was discovered and harnessed. A burr grinder – where the coffee goes through a set of burrs to yield a much more even grind than a blade grinder. It has a screwable piece to adjust the grind setting from coarse all the way to espresso-fine. Easy to travel with.
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2. ELECTRIC BURR GRINDER.
   • BEST VALUE: Cuisinart burr grinder.
     • The cost effective electric burr grinder. All electric grinders make it simple to serve one coffee drinker or large groups of friends and family.
     • 
   • Capresso conical burr grinder.
     • One of the best home-grinders on the market. The most quiet I’ve ever heard. Ideal for coffee enthusiasts with roommates or family members in the house. Much more even grind than the Cuisinart burr due to the conical burr setup.
     • 
   • Baratza burr grinder.
     • The coffee shop grade coffee grinder. Considered a gold standard among coffee shop owners and baristas, and with an appropriate price tag. For the insanely committed home coffee zealot. The most consistent grind of the three.
     • 

Hot water kettles.

1. GOOSENECK KETTLE.
   • Hario stovetop gooseneck kettle.
     • The gooseneck enables the coffee lover to brew a pour over with the utmost precision. Instead of the classic “dump all the hot water at one time,” the extraction rate is much more even. Control is the name of the game. Not necessary for non-pour-over methods.
     • 
   • Fellow gooseneck kettle.
     • The high end version of Hario’s gooseneck above. Designed for baristas, but appreciated by home brewers. The handle is ergonomical genius. The spout will pour until 90º (straight down) before the lid even attempts to fall off. And the temp control is excellent. Another design piece for public display.
     • 
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   • BEST VALUE: Homko gooseneck kettle for $22.
     • Identical function as the other two for way less cash.
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2. ELECTRIC GOOSENECK KETTLE.
   • Bonavita electric 1 L gooseneck kettle.
     • The benefits of the gooseneck kettle for pour overs with added heating convenience. Simply pour water into the carafe, press the “on” button and the kettle will heat to boil in a short period of time. No need to use your stovetop setup anymore. Great for extended travel where a stovetop may not be accessible.
     • 
   • Fellow electric gooseneck kettle.
     • The bougie, high-end version of the Bonavita above. Refer to the Fellow Gooseneck Kettle section. Elegant, optimized for user experience and very convenient.
     • 
   • BEST VALUE: Chefelix electric gooseneck kettle for $22.
     • A 1 liter carafe with the function of the Bonavita and Fellow above. The cost effective approach to making pour overs at home.
     • 
3. ELECTRIC KETTLE (NOT GOOSENECK).
   • AmazonBasics Electric Kettle.
     • The cost effective way to make a french press or AeroPress. The gooseneck kettles are designed for pour overs only.
     • 

Coffee filters.

Coffee filters for every necessary brewing method. They’re all shaped differently.

1. Chemex square coffee filters.
2. V60 size #2 coffee filters.
3. Cone size #2 coffee filters (Bee House).
4. Kalitta Wave coffee filters.
5. Hario siphon cloth coffee filters.
6. Cone size #4 coffee filter (OXO Barista Brain coffee maker).

Mugs.

From the coffee roasters they LOVE. Or at least the most famous ones in the craft game.

1. Counter Culture Coffee Mug.
2. Intelligentsia Coffee Mug.
3. Blue Bottle Coffee Mug.
4. Stumptown Coffee Mug.
5. Spyhouse Coffee Latte Mug.
6. Tandem Coffee Mug.

The cheat sheet: our recommended coffee kits.

1. For the solo brewer.

• Best value ceramic pour over. $11.
• V60 coffee filters. $11 for 200.
• Best value electric gooseneck kettle. $22.
• Best value burr grinder. $40.
• Counter Culture Apollo, 12 oz bag of light roast coffee. $20.

TOTAL = $104.

2. For the BOLD brewer.

• Best value french press. $22.
• No filters necessary.
• AmazonBasics Electric Kettle (not gooseneck). $21.
• Best value burr grinder. $40.
• Stumptown French Roast, 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for extra dark roast lovers. $14.24.

TOTAL = $97.24.

3. For the party brewer (serves up to 4).

• Chemex (pour over). $45.
• Chemex square coffee filters. $12.42 for 100.
• Best value electric gooseneck kettle. $22.
• Best value burr grinder. $40.
• Stumptown Hairbender, 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for medium to light roast lovers. The crowd pleaser. $14.24.

TOTAL = $133.66.

4. For the traveling brewer.

• Aero Press. $30 including filters.
• Hario hand grinder. $40.
• Hot water? They’ll get creative.
• Intelligentsia House Blend, 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee for light roast lovers. $14.

TOTAL = $84.

5. For the convenience-minded home brewer.

• OXO Barista Brain coffee maker. $200
• Cone size #4 coffee filter. $7.52 for 80.
• Best value burr grinder. $40.
• Bean Box coffee sampler box. $24 for (4) 1.8 oz bags from top notch Seattle roasters. All roast levels.

TOTAL = $271.52.

6. Our personal favorites at the Rez.

• Chemex (pour over). $45.
• Chemex square coffee filters. $12.42 for 100.
• Capresso conical burr grinder. $91. Extremely quiet.
• Fellow gooseneck kettle. $80. Ergonomic genius & quite elegant.
• Home-roasted coffee! Tutorial coming soon. $8 for 16 oz green coffee beans.

TOTAL = $236.42.