More Power Less Juice-you and the earth will love this gear
words: Tom Wilmes photography: Adam Voorhes
Take energy savings into your own hands with the Presso Coffee Maker. Unlike electric coffee makers that drain power all day, this sleek, minimalist gadget needs only coffee grounds, hot water, and your own elbow grease to make a café-quality drink. As a bonus, the Presso is completely recyclable. $140, pressousa.com
76 | Spirit
DIY BREW
Not many people love coffee enough to take their espresso machine with them when they go camping. Where the heck would you plug your espresso maker? Luck Sarah and Dan Swan have a presso and they are so darn proud of it they sent us these great pictures from their recent camping adventure outside of Sydney.
Our friend Zoe Florence in New York City writes:
So a few weeks back I received my first ever coffee making machine! I was super excited for my Presso to arrive, and reassured by my nearest and dearest that I too would be capable of making my own coffee., and save money at that! Goodbye burnt tasting, overpriced, fancy coffee-inspired beverages, hello d.i.y. coffee fun times. I loved the idea of a cordless, super simple machine that even I could operate.
After a long day at work I returned home to find my box o’ Presso waiting for me on my seat and once my cheap and cheerful coffee grinder arrived I was ready to start brewing. Grinding my deluxe beans was a no brainer and after boiling my water and having all of my equipment in place I pushed down on the arms of the presso and voila, my espresso was ready, and I might add, tasted far better in the comfort of my own home than at some cheesy yuppie coffee bar.
The next thing I knew my roommate and I got really jazzed about the Presso and started making back-to-back lattes, warming and frothing our lactose free varieties of milk and while she was frothing away, I was the house barista. Needless to say we were both bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day and I have now established a pleasant routine of presso-ing daily before running out the door to work.
A series of over 200 photos posted in sequence to demonstrate the process of the Presso Espresso Maker.
This video shows the step by step process of how the Presso Espresso Machine produces an espresso shot.
Gemma Cutler of Toronto, Ontario writes…
I’ve always been daunted by the big boxy machines I’ve seen on friend’s kitchen counters and have instead relied heavily on my local coffee shops to do the work for me. Dose, tamp and pulls were foreign… concepts.
Presso is the easiest espresso maker I’ve ever used and finally understand that espresso isn’t simply strong coffee. There is a true art and technique to pulling the perfect shot…one that Presso let’s you do first hand. Using your hands. It’s really quite cool.
Anyone for dessert? Coffee? How about having them at the same time, in the same bowl?
Yes, it’s true, Presso can kill two after-dinner birds with one stone. Meet, the affogato, quite possibly the sweetest Presso creation yet.
An Italian invention (affogato means “drowned” in Italian), this dessert is so simple and so tasty it would be hard not to love it. It would also be pretty hard to mess it up.
All you have to do is scoop some gelato or ice cream (vanilla is usually the way to go) into a bowl, pop it under the Presso, where you would normally place your coffee mug, and press an espresso shot over the gelato.
We seriously suggest you give this dessert a shot (pun intended).
To ensure you have the most fulfilling rich golden halo on your espresso (crema):
Fill your porta filler to the desired level (dose) with freshly ground beans (grind for espresso machines).
Press down firmly using the back of the PRESSO scoop (tamping). Be sure to have the porta filler on a firm surface to ensure adequate and even pressure. An even tamp with an adequate dose and suitable grind will enhance your crema.
For the best results use freshly roasted beans from your local roaster, ask them to grind them for an espresso machine.
Store your freshly ground beans in a vacuum for no more than a week.
Try roasting your own green beans in a popcorn popper, a small amount at a time until you hear the second ”crack”. Cool quickly an store in an airtight dark cool place for a day, then grind very fine for the ultimate espresso experience.
There are internet sites that collectively buy green beans and distribute them amongst their members like CoffeeSnobs.com.au.
The Rainbow region produces some fine coffees, grown in subtropical conditions.
Australia: www.presso.com.au
Canada: www.presso.ca
New Zealand: www.presso.co.nz
USA:
www.presso.us
We love coffee.
