I don’t know about you but the sudden pause in my daily coffee fix has left me scouring the internet for ways to grind and brew the bag of coffee beans that I bought on a whim at one of the many farmer’s markets that had gained popularity in Nairobi. Coffee is a lot more than the beverage that you spill down your throat in an effort to get through dull days or reheat several times in an hour before giving up and pouring it down the sink. I like to think of the entire experience of drinking a cup of coffee in your favourite cafe as a whole routine.
There is the initial stage of walking it and taking in the smell of several cups of freshly brewed coffee mixing in with the freshly baked pastries you always say you won’t be tempted to buy but more often than not end up stashing somewhere in your bag as a reward for doing some menial task later on in the day. Next comes the well-rehearsed part where you reading through the list of -ccinos and lattes that you know by heart (because you’re always hoping that there is a new flavour) even though you have a standard order that the cashier has already keyed in and the barista started steaming a generous amount of almond milk the minute you stepped in.
All of this culminates in that first sip that either starts your day right or makes waiting in line behind the person with the bulk order worth it. With things the way they are now, you don’t have to suffer drinking whatever okay mix your coffee machine churns out nor do you have to start signing up for online barista classes (unless you’re looking to learn a new skill). All you need are a couple of tools and maybe you just might be able to recreate that delicious cup of coffee whose pictures once symbolised the start of your day.
[divider]Handheld Frother[/divider]
The first arsenal in your toolkit should be this handy milk frother. They all come in different shapes and sizes but they all do the same thing. No need to spend too much on one with 3 different attachments, all you need to decide is whether or not you want to use batteries or opt for a rechargeable one.
[divider]Ground Coffee[/divider]
Now some might argue that pre-ground coffee doesn’t taste the same as freshly ground coffee but unless you’re ready to beat your coffee beans in a plastic bag using a rolling pin every time you want freshly ground coffee then I suggest you stick to pre-ground coffee. As long as you store it properly then you’ll have great tasting coffee that will last you a while.
[divider]Gooseneck Kettle[/divider]
This is for the pour-over coffee lovers. This kettle may seem like a frivolous purchase but the spout in a gooseneck kettle is designed to release a steady amount of water ensuring that you don’t drown your coffee grounds.
[divider]Coffee Press[/divider]
If you like your coffee light and made quickly then this is a great option. Most people buy coffee presses then make the mistake of overdiluting their coffee. All you need is 200ml of water for every 7-8g of coffee and you’ll have the perfect pour.
[divider]Moka Pot[/divider]
Espresso lovers have not been forgotten. The slow extraction of a Moka pot ensures that you have the right amount of bitterness in your coffee without any astringent taste. Depending on the size of your pot you can have a sweet single shot or go for gold with a double or triple shot pour.
Now that you have your tools to ensure you’re able to recreate your favourite cafe coffee or even hop on to the next Tiktok coffee trend like dalgona coffee.