Our favourite coffee kit
Our favourite coffee products and where to find them. This is an ever growing list of the coffee stuff we use, love, and feel confident recommending.
Our favourite moka pot
Unsuprising to anyone who's read our other articles — we're a fan of this moka pot. It's an iconic design that has yet to be beaten. The internet is full of knock-offs, don't be fooled into thinking they're all the same.
We've done extensive tests and the original comes up top every time.
Nathaniel's choice
I also get a lot of joy whenever I use it knowing that it saves energy by not excessively heating the water!
In my home we use the kettle all the time for all kinds of things — like tea, cooking, and hot water bottles — so we opted for the classic spout. But if you’re primarily using this for pour-over coffee then you should definitely get the gooseneck version.
Nathaniel's choice
It’s very expensive. I justified the purchase by calculating how much money I was spending on coffee during my morning routine and discovering that in 2 years it was easily more than the cost of this machine. Yikes.
Another justification for its price tag: it’s well made, physically relatively simple, and has a strong online community of tinkers and hackers who mess around and upgrade it. It’s reliable, and spare parts can easily be sourced.
In a world of proprietary ink cartridges and wifi-enabled water bottles — it’s refreshing to feel like you actually own a machine. I hope to own it forever.
Silvia Pro vs Silvia
The Silvia Pro is an upgrade from the popular Silvia model.
The Silvia Pro has two boilers (one for espresso and one for the milk steamer) while the Silvia has just one. The Pro is larger, has in-depth settings, and a display for tempurature and shot duration.
Silvia Pro X
Since getting this machine Rancillio has upgraded the Pro model — to the Silvia Pro X. The older Pro model is no longer availble.
I haven’t haven’t used the Pro X. I gather it’s essentially the same machine with some upgrades — like variable pre-infusion, and a pressure gauge. It also comes in a variety of colours, but is still availble in stainless steel.
Nathaniel's choice
It looks and sounds great and is designed to be long lasting. If you’re not planning on grinding coffee while travelling, this could be the grinder you use forever.
Yoji's choice
I highly recommend the Hario V60 for its exceptional ability to deliver a clear and flavourful coffee. This glass version is also prettier and more durable than its plastic and ceramic counterparts.
While you have the option to buy only the cone, I suggest acquiring the complete set including the decanter. Having the flexibility to pour into a decanter rather than directly into a mug is convenient, and the decanter itself can serve as a everyday jug.
Yoji's choice
This brewer stands out not only for its sleek minimalistic design, but for its fine metal mesh which manages to filter out most of the fines. If you prefer a clearer coffee, you can still use coffee bags inside the brewer.
Nathaniel's choice
Update: I've purchased a second larger spoon that matches the first one — it's large enough to scoop coffee beans.
Yoji's choice
Pour boiling water from the hob into the gooseneck pot (which cools the water to an ideal temperature, especially for darker roasted coffees), and start your pour-over brewing straight off the bat. It's also a decorative piece when not in use and will last a life time, unlike most electric alternatives.
Yoji's choice
I love the deep green colour, the weightiness of it, and it feels durable enough that I can imagine this mug in my shrivelled hands as I gaze at the sunrise through the window of my cottage by the sea in 70 years time.
Where can you buy it? — you can purchase this from MIGRATORY, a homeware shop in Meguro, Tokyo.