Astoria Compact 1 Group Automatic Espresso Machine - CKXE Rotary

It can be difficult in the world of specialty coffee to find a brewer that not only looks fantastic but also produces a fantastic product. Eva Solo has done an exceptional job of combining both elements into the Cafe Solo. The Solo seems a little strange upon first glance for the very reason that it may be the first coffee brewer of its kind: one that is clothed. The designers at Eva Solo had the ingenious idea of using the same material that keeps divers warm (neoprene) and wrapping it around the glass carafe... thus keeping the coffee hot during the 4 minute brewing period.

Not only are its looks something to take seriously, but the Solo's coffee is not to be underestimated. Because of its use of "total immersion" brewing (similar to that of a french press), the grounds are evenly and completely submersed in water. This provides extraction that is difficult to achieve by other methods of brewing. It is advisable, however, that once the 4 minutes of extraction is complete, the coffee should be immediately served or transferred into a thermal pot (we recommend one of the Zojirushi carafes). This will prevent over-extraction from taking place which results in a bitter tasting coffee.

The Cafe Solo is unquestionably a unique and exceptional specialty coffee manual brewer. Because of its simple usability and superior design, the Cafe Solo is a force to be reckoned with in the specialty coffee world.

Hario's stainless steel water kettle, the V60 Buono, has been spotted popping up in coffee houses and the kitchens of baristas for some time now. A detailed search on the web will reveal, for the moment at least, that the Buono seems to be widely accepted as the most useful pouring kettle available. What makes this kettle so popular amongst pour-over enthusiasts? Several reasons stand out.

First, the thin pouring spout enables greater pouring precision as well as a slower, more consistent and controlled rate of pour, both of which are very helpful in achieving a precise, prolonged extraction.
Second, the stainless steel construction and large 1 liter capacity contribute toward keeping up the brew temperature for the duration of the entire brew cycle.
Third, the ergonomics involved in the design of the kettle help to make using it much easier. This may not seem like much, but if you're brewing large batches of coffee and pouring for three or more minutes per batch, doing several batches of coffee will quickly become a chore if your kettle doesn't cooperate with you.

Combine all of these facets with the fact that the Buono is manufactured by Hario, a very popular name in the coffee-brewing community, and the kettle's popularity is easily understood. For best results, combine the Buono with a V60 Dripper or Chemex to get a truly exceptional cup of coffee.

For a company responsible for churning out flying discs used in recreation, the designers at Aerobie have demonstrated that creativity can be used in a multitude of different venues. With their highly rated AeroPress™ coffee maker, Aerobie has proven itself to be a skillful competitor in the specialty coffee equipment manufacturer category. The AeroPress™ design is simple, yet ingenious. It implements a variety of different brew methods, utilizing good qualities of each. These include, (1) full immersion (similar to the French Press process) which completely submerges the grounds in water but eliminates over-extraction since the water is quickly pressed from the grounds (instead of the grounds staying in the water past brew time), (2) regulated pressure (similar to an espresso process) which quickly and uniformly extracts the full flavor from coffee again minimizing the chance for over-extraction, and (3) a paper filter which provides for a cleaner extraction process (unlike most total immersion brewers where some sediment remains in the coffee even after the process is complete).

To brew, simply insert the filter, grind the coffee (recommended grind setting: medium fine grind - not quite as fine as an espresso, but finer then a drip filter setting), pour in the water, stir for 10 seconds (allowing full immersion to take place), then press down the plunger for 20 seconds... and the full process is complete! In 30 seconds, amazing quality coffee is yours to enjoy. For the busy individual who prefers high quality coffee, this is an ideal single-cup coffee maker.

The most pleasant surprise from experimenting with an AeroPress™ in the Prima office? Its versatility.You can see an in-depth review of an AeroPress and all the fun that we had with it on our blog. We made an excellent cup of coffee with one test, changed the grind setting and amount of water for the next test and had a surprisingly good espresso-like coffee “concentrate”. The fact that all of the components are durable plastic and dishwasher safe only made the experience that much more enjoyable because let’s face it, clean-up can be the worst part. Also, used in conjunction with a hand grinder like the Hario Mini Mill or Hario Skerton, the Aeropress is a fantastic way to brew coffee on the go... while on vacation or in the office. Because of its versatility, low cost, and ease of use, the AeroPress™ is a product worthy of every coffee lover's kitchen.