If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our TripZilla readers, it’s that so many of you are hardcore coffee lovers! So, in honour of our fellow java fans, we’ve put together a list of coffee essentials — the ultimate gift list for caffeine addicts. (Although, chances are that you may already have a lot of the items on this list!)
Without further ado, below you’ll find our recommendations for all you coffee lovers — here are most of the things you’ll need to finally complete your at-home coffee corner. Happy shopping, caffeine addicts!
Also read: 15 Coffee Recipes You Can Easily Master at Home
Coffee essentials: Things to buy for your at-home coffee nook
1. Mugs, coffee cups, or tumblers
Honestly, you can never go wrong with a cute mug or coffee cup — especially for coffee lovers who’ve ditched cafés and decided to go all out with their homemade brews instead. From gorgeous ceramics (we love Japanese surplus stores!) and Instagram-worthy “boob mugs” to double-walled glasses, there are so many of these coffee essentials for you to choose from. And trust us, your fellow coffee lovers will absolutely adore them!
Check out our list of cute mugs and coffee cups here.
2. French press
For the longest time, I simply lived on coffee brewed via our trusty drip coffee machine. But during several power outages this year, I realised how important it is to have backup. I love that with a French press, you can have a quality cup of coffee in just five minutes — no electricity needed. It’s certainly become one of my top coffee essentials since then; some days, I even prefer it over my regular brew!
Bonus reason to get your hands on a French press: You can use it to froth your coffee and make foam or latte art! How cool is that?
Shop for a French press here.
Also read: 8 Hidden Benefits of Drinking Coffee Every Day, According to Science
3. Coffee grinder
Back in the day, I used to always choose ground coffee over whole beans when it came to home brewing. Purchasing our own grinder, however, was a definite game changer! I eventually learned that preparing your own cuppa with freshly ground beans can really level up your coffee experience, and I haven’t looked back since.
Grinding your own beans allows you to control grind size, which in turn gives you the flexibility to brew your coffee in as many ways as you’d like. You can choose a manual hand grinder or an electric one, a small one or a large, heavy-duty one. There are so many different types for you to check out!
Shop for an electric coffee grinder here, or a manual coffee grinder here.
4. Pour over set
This year, I’ve witnessed so many people get into pour over-style coffee — and a lot of them haven’t turned back since they first tried it out! The pour over method is an art, and the more you learn about it, the more exciting it gets. So, if it turns out to be your kind of thing, you’ll eventually find yourself slowly levelling up your equipment in terms of price and quality.
In essence, though, all you’ll need is the following: a dripper, cone filters, a coffee grinder (preferably a manual burr grinder), a digital kitchen scale (with a timer, if possible — but you can use any other available timer, too), and a kettle. Preparing coffee via pour over is truly a learning experience; even as a beginner, you will surely notice a difference in how it brings out the flavour of your beans!
Shop for a pour over set here.
5. Aeropress
Espresso lovers, this one’s for you! While an Aeropress won’t exactly produce espresso, it’s basically the next best thing. Perfect for those who are often on the go, have minimal space, or aren’t ready to purchase a full-on espresso machine, the Aeropress will get you a smooth cup of coffee in just seconds. Now, how can any of us say no to that?
Shop for an Aeropress here.
Also read: 7 Travel Essentials Every Coffee Lover Must Have
6. Moka pot
An Italian household staple, the moka pot is yet another coffee essential for lovers of strong coffee. Along with the Aeropress, this stovetop coffee maker is an alternative for those who don’t have access to an espresso machine; in the same way, coffee experts will emphasise that it won’t produce authentic espresso. As someone who’s road-tested this device already, though, I’d say the moka pot is definitely a must for your at-home coffee corner!
Shop for a moka pot here.
7. Phin (Vietnamese coffee filter)
I love a good cup of Vietnamese coffee, and brewing with a phin really makes all the difference! Vietnamese coffee filters are affordable, portable, and so easy to use — an excellent addition to your coffee corner, that’s for sure.
Shop for a Vietnamese coffee filter here.
Also read: 15 Countries With a Coffee Culture Worth Travelling For
8. Cold brew pitcher
When it comes to iced coffee, cold brew reigns superior — especially for those of us who tend to suffer from acid reflux! Cold brew offers a bolder taste and a much lower level of acidity compared to regular brewed coffee. If this sounds like your kind of coffee, then you might want to get yourself a cold brew pitcher.
Cold brewing is easy to do with the tried-and-tested mason jar method; but for those who would rather have theirs ready to drink instead of in concentrated form, a pitcher is an ideal option. Made specifically to make cold brew coffee, these will come with built-in strainers — so after leaving your coffee to brew overnight, all you’ll have to do is pour and enjoy!
Shop for a cold brew pitcher here.
9. Capsule-based coffee machine
If you love coffee but aren’t all about the work that goes into preparing it, then a capsule-based coffee machine may be the best choice for you. All you need to do is pop your coffee pod into the machine, and your cup of espresso or brewed coffee is ready in no time! There are various types of these machines on the market, from basic ones that simply produce coffee to those that come complete with their own milk frothers.
Shop for a capsule-based coffee machine here.
10. Espresso machine
Ready to go all out? For café-quality coffee, an espresso machine is a must! These, however, will set you back tens of thousands of pesos — so you’ll definitely want to do your research to make this particular investment worth it. A great espresso machine will come with a built-in coffee grinder and milk steamer, allowing you the ultimate coffee shop experience. Once you have it, though, can’t you imagine just how fun it’ll be to unleash your inner barista?
Shop for a beginner-friendly espresso machine here.
Also read: 9 Retro Espresso Machines We Can’t Get Enough Of
11. Reusable coffee pods
If you or your loved ones have capsule-based coffee makers, then you’ll know just how wasteful having one can be — especially if you don’t get to responsibly recycle your coffee pods. Great news, though: reusable coffee pods are a thing. They aren’t expensive, either; I actually found a pack of six reusable capsules, each of which can be used up to 50 times. Goodbye, single-use waste!
Shop for reusable coffee pods here.
12. Reusable coffee filters
While we’re on the subject of single-use waste — your preferred method of preparing coffee may require you to use disposable filters! We get it, though; sometimes, the flavour or quality of your brews can really depend on these. But just so you know, reusable coffee filters exist, too! There are reusable versions for your regular drip machine, as well as for pour over brewing.
Shop for a reusable coffee filter here.
13. Glass or metal straws
Iced coffee addicts, skip the plastic straw and opt for a glass or metal one instead! Not only do you help save the earth by avoiding single-use waste; these coffee essentials add to the overall #aesthetic, too! Two birds, one stone — right? Let’s go, zero-waste lifestyle!
Shop for glass straws here, or metal straws here.
14. Handheld milk frother
Give your homemade brew a little extra oomph by frothing your milk! And no, you don’t have to go buy a professional milk frother. If you aren’t ready to shell out the money for it, these handheld electric milk frothers do an excellent job themselves. An added bonus? They’re super affordable, too. Who ever said being your own barista had to be expensive?
Shop for a handheld milk frother here.
15. Stainless steel milk frothing pitcher
Is learning how to make latte art your goal? Then having a milk frothing pitcher in your coffee corner is a must. Ideally, you should get a stainless steel one as this pitcher will be used to steam and froth your milk! Typically, you will fill up only a third of the jug, as the milk will grow in size as it’s heated. So, think about how much milk you usually put in your coffee before selecting a particular size!
Shop for a milk frothing pitcher here.
16. Coffee beans
As a huge coffee fan, I love receiving coffee beans as gifts. From local roasts to special café blends, there are so many different options to explore! It’s such a lovely way for the gift-giver to introduce their local culture or to simply recommend something new and delicious to a fellow coffee lover; in the same light, it’s a nice way for the recipient to discover new flavours and fall in love with new ways to enjoy their coffee!
Check out our list of local coffee beans to try here.
17. Ready-to-drink coffee
Yet another great coffee idea: bottled brews! I particularly love trying out flavoured iced lattes because each café usually has their own unique recipe. Who knows? You and your loved ones just might find your next favourite iced coffee beverage!
Check out our list of places to buy bottled brews here.
Also read: 10 Must-Visit Places in the Philippines for Specialty Coffee
Excited to stock up on all these coffee essentials? We can’t wait to see how you put everything together. Feel free to share photos of your own coffee nooks in the comments section!
