Coffee Gift Guide 2022
I am a great fan of buying gifts at the end of the year. Whether it’s for a friend, family member or just a gift for yourself, to say great job this year or this is an investment in me to make next year even better. It follows therefore that I love gift guides. They often show you the latest and coolest stuff, and more importantly where to find them, and how much it costs. However, there is always that voice in my head. Telling me that I am probably being manipulated. That these products are not the coolest, just the ones smart enough to advertise in a specific magazine. Don’t get me started on internet lists, as they are openly linked to personal profit rather than honest opinions. This product is the best. To buy it click this link. After which I will receive a commission based on whether the reader visits the page, and how much they then go on to spend there.
Luckily for you, you won’t have that issue with coffee related gifts this year. The list below is my honest opinion on what I think is cool. Feel free to disagree in the comments section below, or make suggestions on products I may have left out. We are growing a community and for that community to thrive, many voices should be heard. I have broken up the choices depending on the person that you may be buying the gift for.
Colleague at work / Friend / Uncle or Aunt visiting for the Holidays
There is nothing simpler to get for a person whom you know likes coffee than a bag of beans. However, if you are not certain how into coffee they really are, I advise you to buy Ground Coffee Beans instead. Now you can get really great packaged exotic sounding beans from your local supermarket but when doing so, ensure that you check the freshness by either checking the Roast Date or the Expiry Date. However, for those who want to make the extra effort this season and show the recipient that you truly care, these are my picks for great coffee beans.
Bluebird Coffee Roastery - Migoti Hill Lot 13
Disclaimer: I have a Bluebird Coffee Subscription (but that means I pay them, not the other way around 🙂). Every month I receive 2 bags of coffee. I dont know what its going to be but its like getting a birthday present every month. Whenever I see a coffee, from Migoti Hill in the box, my smile is considerably wider. This year, my favourite has been Lot 13. With tastes of Honey, Red Apple and Peach, it is very smooth and naturally sweet. Best enjoyed black with no added sweetners. This is a gift for someone who appreciates good coffee and it won't break the bank (250g bag for R159).
You can also select the grind, based on your method of coffee preparation (espresso machine/ moka/ pourover or plunger). I will provide the link below only to make it easier for you to find from the supplier.
https://www.bluebirdcoffeeroastery.co.za/product/burundi-migoti-hill-lot-13/
Truth Coffee - D.D.T (Deep Dark and Twisted)
This is by no means a ranking where this is my second choice. It is just a different type of coffee for those who prefer their morning cup with milk (Cappuccino or Flat White). The Truth Coffee shop in Cape Town is an experience that must be enjoyed by any coffee geek, but until you find yourself in Cape Town, enjoy these specialty beans in the comfort of your home. It costs R120 for a 225g bag and you can also select the type of grind if the intended recipient has not invested in a Burr Grinder as yet
https://za.truth.coffee/collections/coffee-beans/products/deep-dark-twisted
Close Family/ Best Friend
You can't buy your best friend a bag of coffee (unless you get them a subscription). You know how much they love coffee, but you can't afford a high end machine and they already own the affordable V60 or a decent plunger. If they don't already own a set, my advice is that you can't go wrong with a nice set of double walled coffee cups. The great thing about this gift is that there are so many to choose from. If the intended recipient already has a set of double walled coffee mugs, you can get them the espresso glasses or the latte glasses.
There is such a wide range to choose from and the price varies based on make/ style and size. I don't have to recommend anyone in particular. Just google, ‘Double Walled Coffee Cups’. The price ranges from R55 to well over a Thousand Rand.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the rabbit hole you may go down after searching for these cups.
A Gift for yourself/ (lucky) significant other
Since starting this blog, one of the most common comments I get, is, “I Love great coffee… but I don’t have the time or patience to be messing about with extraction times and pouring from a gooseneck kettle in an anticlockwise direction.” Yes. You guessed it. These were comments received after I posted my V60 recipe!
For those who are looking at an alternative easier way to brew great speciality coffee at home, there is now a solution inspired by Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein. Introducing, The Clever Dripper!
It essentially combines the immersion process of the plunger (to control the coffee extraction), with the filtration of the drip coffee. The result. A smooth cup of coffee, rich in flavour and none of the coffee grounds in your mouth. I suppose it shares a certain similarity with the aeropress in that regard, but this device is way more simpler to use. It is even simpler to dial in your desired taste, as all that you need to vary is the amount of time you allow for extraction. However, for a better understanding, rather take the advice of James Hoffman.
So to all my students who are about to embark into adult life and have been asking me which coffee brewer to invest in. This is my recommendation to you. This requires no additional special equipment and is a great way to introduce yourself into the world of specialty coffee. It typically sells for around R600, but you will also need to get yourselves some paper filters.
There you have it. My 2022 ‘Coffee’ Holiday shopping guide. As mentioned at the start, please feel free to comment on your thoughts regarding these choices and any notable gifts/ options I may have missed. Happy Brewing!