5+1 Gifts For Espresso Lovers
Espresso accessories, or in general coffee making accessories, are like the never-ending story - just when you think you have everything you need, another gadget or gizmo pops up on the market and you just have to have it! It starts with the espresso machine, of course, but then there's the grinder, the tamper, the milk jug, the tamping mat, the knock box... the list goes on and on! And I didn't even get into the cups, saucers, and spoons - there are so many different styles and sizes to choose from, it's enough to make your head spin!
So if you're thinking about getting into the world of espresso, be prepared - it's a rabbit hole that you may never escape from! With that, these are the most popular and essential espresso accessories that you can buy or gift! In this post I am going to just scratch the surface! Later I will write about each category extensively!
Portafilter
If you ask around you realize that almost no one really loves the original portafiler that comes with the espresso machine! Still, I don't know why but I also didn't love mine and buy a new one! Thus, the first item that you can upgrade or gift to someone else is an elegant wooden portafiler!
Naked Bottomless Portafilter
Premium 54mm, Compatible with Breville Barista BES 870/878/880 Replacement Breville Bottomless Portafilter
If you are looking for a 58mm portafiler, you may check Rancilio Silvia model.
Knock Box
Knock box is a small container with a bar or platform on which used espresso grounds are placed after they have been extracted from the espresso machine. It could be a small trash bin or a super fancy basket to automatically clean the portafilter. This is a useful accessory for any home or commercial espresso setup.
You can step up the fanciness of the knock box a little bit by combining it with an espresso organizer. The result is efficient to work with and more appealing!
IKAPE Espresso Knock Box
4 IN One Espresso Accessories Organizer Box Compatible with 51&54MM Espresso Accessories, Natural Mahogany Tamping Station Base
Tamper
The tamper does play a crucial role in the process of making espresso. Without it, you're just left with a bunch of hot water and some sad, lonely coffee grounds! No, seriously! The tamper is used to compress the ground coffee in the portafilter, creating a dense, even bed of coffee. Without it, or without properly tampering, the grounds in the portafilter might not be evenly distributed, resulting in an uneven extraction and not a good espresso shot! Here are two options to make sure your coffee grounds are happy and fully extracted!
Espresso Tamper
LuxHaus 58mm Calibrated Espresso Tamper - Coffee Tamper with Spring Loaded Flat Stainless Steel Base
You can level it up with the 2-in-1 Crema Distributer/Leveler and Hand Tamper! It is just fascinating to watch! Isn't it?
Espresso Distributor, Leveler, and Hand Tamper
Crema Coffee Products | 51mm Espresso Distributor/Leveler & Hand Tamper | Fits 51mm Delonghi Dedica & La Specialista Portafilter | Double Sided, Adjustable Depth | Beautiful Espresso Hand Tampers
Scale
A scale is essential for accurately measuring the amount of coffee and water used in the brewing process. By using a scale to measure the coffee and water, you can ensure that the proper ratio is maintained and that the espresso is consistently brewed. Additionally, the length of time that the water is in contact with the coffee, as well as the flow rate of the water, can both have an impact on the flavor and strength of the espresso. Thus, having a gadget to measure both metrics for you is quite essential!
Coffee Scale with Timer
KitchenTour Coffee Scale with Timer 3kg/0.1g High Precision Pour Over Drip Espresso Scale with Back-Lit LCD Display (Batteries Included)
Steaming Pitcher
Baristas and Coffee lovers, use pitchers to froth milk for use in espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. These pitchers are typically made of stainless steel and have a spout that is designed to help create a smooth, creamy foam. That's another accessory that usually comes with an espresso machine but almost everyone goes and buys their own one. It is interesting, isn't it?
Milk Frothing Pitcher
Milk Frothing Pitcher 350ml/12oz Steaming Pitchers Stainless Steel Milk Coffee Cappuccino Latte Art Barista Steam Pitchers Milk Jug Cup with Decorating Art Pen, Matte Black
WTD Tool
This list wouldn't be complete with this little tool! WTD helps you to easily break up the coffee powder, avoiding lumps and spreading the powder more evenly. It effectively improves the extraction splash and extracts a fuller and stronger espresso.
WDT Tool Espresso
REDPLAY WDT Tool Espresso Distribution Tool Aluminum Alloy Espresso Tamper 0.35mm 8 Needles Espresso Coffee Stirrer with Extra 4 Replacement Needles (Gray)
