So, it’s finally happened. You’re tired of going to café after café in search of the perfect coffee, and you’re building your at-home coffee station to brew it for yourself. You’ve just joined a long and storied history of coffee enthusiasts brewing up a frenzy in their own kitchens.
Here’s the thing. By now, you might have watched YouTube tutorials, read blogs, and explored all sorts of conflicting information about which espresso machines, espresso grinders, and espresso accessories you must have in your home coffee station… and you might be feeling a tad confused. Perhaps even overwhelmed!
We don’t blame you. Breaking into this world is very exciting, but it can also feel like a real challenge to figure out what you really need from your coffee setup and what will sit unused on your kitchen counter for years, gathering dust.
Let it be known that every single person’s ideal coffee setup is as unique as they are. To that end, the team at La Marzocco AU are unpacking three different styles we see in the world of at-home brewing to help you craft the station that’s right for your morning cup of espresso.
#1: The Essentialist
The essentialist is the at-home coffee maker who enjoys the finer things in life but is either just kicking off their journey, prefers a simpler approach, or just wants to preserve their budget until later on.
The essentialist’s kit includes:
· One of the high-quality espresso grinders: Freshly ground coffee is always a must for an at-home coffee station, but an essentialist might choose to only own a grinder or even use a manual espresso grinder for their morning brew.
· A pour-over method: Chemex or pour-over coffee types like the French Press or v80 are popular among essentialists, and it lets them take their coffee making anywhere.
· A quality kettle: Gooseneck kettles are one of the most popular espresso accessories in this category because they allow essentialists to control the stream of water while making pour-over coffee.
You might be an essentialist if you: Love the manual parts of making a great cup of coffee, don’t want to dedicate counterspace to one of the large at-home espresso machines, and are careful about which espresso accessories you bring into your home.
#2: The Enthusiast
Next, we have the enthusiast. This particular brewer doesn’t shy away from the variety of espresso machines and espresso grinders out there, taking the time to research and perfectly select their ideal gear like they would a brand-new sports car.
The enthusiast’s kit includes:
· An espresso machine: Of the many espresso machines out there, the enthusiast likely has a beginner-friendly model with built-in features to build their skills.
· Cleaning tools: One of the most vital sets of espresso accessories in the book, the enthusiast’s cleaning tools are always close to hand, and cleaning their machine might be something of a ritual.
· A variety of different coffee beans: Testing out different notes, grinds, and roasts is part and parcel of the true-bred coffee enthusiast. This means they likely have one of the higher-quality espresso grinders close to hand.
You might be an enthusiast if you: Have at least one book dedicated to coffee somewhere in your home, want café-style coffee without having to leave the kitchen, and flip through espresso machine manuals like magazines.
#3: The Barista
Finally, the barista. These coffee-makers have done their time behind café counters and brought their knowledge home with them, or they built their knowledge up over years of making coffee for friends and family. When making coffee graduates from a hobby to a full-on passion, a professional-grade setup is on the docket.
The barista’s kit includes:
· A high-end espresso machine: With features like pre-infusion and a double boiler with PID control for better extraction, these machines are designed to deliver perfect shots every time.
· Professional espresso accessories: Matching group handles, different portafilters, a tamper, a knock box; your average barista has at least one of these in their setup.
· A precision scale: Weighing out your coffee before or after grinding contributes to the science of brewing the perfect cup.
You might be a barista if you: Love the idea of bringing coffee-making home from the café, you lay awake thinking about the perfect cup of coffee, and you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of counterspace if it will mean a better machine.
The Real Takeaway…
Here’s the most important thing to remember: there is no right way to love making coffee at home. Building the right at-home coffee station comes down to having three things:
· Something to grind your coffee with, such as one of the many electric espresso grinders or a manual model.
· Something to brew your coffee with, like an espresso machine or a French Press.
· If you like, something to add a little bit of precision magic, like a scale to measure out your beans or a matching set of espresso accessories.
Coffee is for everyone, and it will take time for you to build your ideal setup. If you have the above ingredients, you’re already on your way to the perfect cuppa every morning. Consider what’s best for yourself, your budget, and your space before buying, and you’ll nail it. Go forth and brew.
Enjoy perfect café-style coffee at home with La Marzocco
Our range of espresso machines, espresso grinders, and espresso accessories all embody the spirit of the Italian coffee tradition while folding in precision engineering.Get only the best for your at-home coffee station. Browse our range today.
