We offer this guide as a strategically brainstormed list to make shopping for your favorite coffee-lover a breeze! Sitting down with a favorite cup of coffee is such an enjoyable activity for many, whether it is a daily favorite to get “up and going,” or a more leisurely experience to savor the flavors and aroma while enjoying a visit with a friend. Explore ideas below for your favorite coffee-lover!
Tools for the Home Brew
Many people stumble out of bed in the morning and cannot fully form a sentence until they have their first cup of coffee. Seeing how vital those morning sips are, let us talk about several factors that work together to create that morning fuel. This list can be used as a guide for anyone interested in coffee, from newbies to downright aficionados. Let us take a look:
Coffee Bean Storage
Once the coffee beans have been selected, they need to be protected from four things: light, oxygen, moisture, and heat. There are some rather technical storage solutions on the market, some with a oneway valve to vent out the carbon dioxide, and a label for the date to keep track of freshness. There are many decorative options on the market that are both functional and decorative!
Coffee Grinder
One might be surprised, and likely overwhelmed, by the decisions required to choose a coffee grinder. The first decision is burr versus blade grinder. Typically, burr grinders produce more consistent grounds, allowing coffee to be extracted at the same rate from each broken-down morsel. Blade grinders are typically less expensive and great for tight budgets and smaller spaces. There are also hand grinders available, typically at a lower price point, versus electric grinders. Additionally, some grinders allow the user to change the ground size to produce finer grounds to brew espresso, or to larger grounds for French press coffee.
Espresso Maker
Above and beyond the classic coffee maker, gifting someone an espresso maker allows the recipient to enjoy their favorite specialty coffee drink at their slightest whim. There are many machines on the market, so reading reviews is a must. Knowing their favorite specialty drink (whether it is a simple shot of espresso or a triple, venti, soy, no-foam latte) will help you ensure that the specific functions of the selected espresso maker excel at whipping up their favorite creation.
A Monthly Coffee Experience
Why not offer your coffee-lover the opportunity to experience a wide array of flavors?
Coffee of the Month Club
A coffee subscription service is a great gift for the adventuresome coffee-loving soul on your gift list. There are several choices when it comes to coffee subscription services. Some things to consider: does the gift recipient relish in trying new and exotic flavors? Do they have a strong preference in specific taste? Several subscription services allow for input so as to create a coffee experience suited to individual taste. Alternatively, perhaps for the more curious coffee-lover, there are services that send a random coffee flavor in each box, allowing the consumer to be exposed to a broad range of flavors.
Coffee Tasting Journal
If you are gifting the coffee subscription club to someone, a great item to give along with it is a coffee tasting journal. This type of journal allows the drinker to rate both the taste and aroma, to truly hone in on regular favorites as well as coffees that they might enjoy on occasion.
Coffee on the Go
For the traveling coffee connoisseur, one of the most important planning items is ensuring that your cup of joe is going to be just as tasty and revitalizing as it is every morning at home. Here are a few novelty items that could help enlighten your travels.
Travel Mug with Built-in French Press
An insulated travel mug with a built-in French press is an excellent travel solution. This design allows for pressing your coffee right there into your cup. Stainless steel with several color options is a great solution for the traveling coffee-lover on your list and is ideal for hotel-hopping, camping, or even keeping at the office for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Temperature-Controlled Ceramic Smart Mug
That friend who is oh-so-particular about their cuppa being piping hot? Gift them a ceramic mug that holds a charge to keep the coffee an adjustable temperature. Even better is that the temperature can be controlled by an app on your phone!
Coffee Around the House
While coffee is great in the kitchen, here are some coffee-lover products for unexpected areas of the home as well.
Coffee Body Scrubs
It is said that coffee is great for the external body at exfoliating, and the caffeine firms and tightens, influencing the skin’s elasticity. Many coffee body scrubs on the market include shea butter or coconut oil for hydration and nourishment. According to Good Housekeeping, coffee can also temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite by increasing circulation and plumping the skin.
A Book
Consider gifting a book on coffee. There are a multitude of books available, some exquisitely picturesque, taunting readers to drool and dream over the flavorful elixir; these are great for display on a coffee table. Other reads offer how-tos such as the art of at-home roasting or perfecting the pour-over. Another great option is pairing a how-to book with the tools necessary to act on the book’s subject. For example, give a book on the art of becoming an at-home barista, which includes recipes and techniques for espresso-based drinks. Along with the book, gift a simple espresso machine or an electric milk frother. To top it off, include ingredients such as milk, coffee, and flavored syrups.
