I did not consume my first cup of coffee until age 24, when a former employer forced me to attend an ad hoc cupping session. I initially found the taste of black coffee repulsive, but my small coffee chain employer didn’t offset the cost of tastier options like Minty Mocha Freeze, so my taste buds were forced to adjust. I slowly learned to enjoy the ritual of making a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, and soon began to enjoy the opportunity to hang out with my dad and drink coffee all day when I visited my parents during the holidays. Just two guys drinking Folgers from a crispy Mr. Coffee while repeating themselves NCIS and Law & Order: SVU air in perpetuity on television.
I eventually moved to Portland, Oregon, during the height of the so-called “third wave” of coffee, and got a job at a high-volume coffee shop and bakery. In that moment, my coffee consumption went from a physiological need to a more considered and personalized experience. Roasters like Stumptown and Coava taught me the principles of extraction, Black Rabbit taught me how to clean and maintain La Marzocco from my store, and a store that is now closed Seattle Coffee Team The outpost stoked my interest in the ever-expanding universe of grinders, coffee makers, kettles and accessories that promise exquisite cups of coffee in all kinds of settings.
Whether your budget is $4 or $400, there’s no shortage of thoughtful gadgets that make great gifts for family, friends, or strangers in a hotly contested white elephant exchange. We’ve included only products and accessories that our team has personally tested, vetted, and used to make your own coffee at home.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides. We’ve got some coffee-related guides, including our favorite cold brewers, espresso machines, portable espresso machines, and cappuccino machines.
Updated October 2024: We removed some old selections and added new ones, and updated links and prices throughout.
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