Whether it’s a slow weekend morning or a busy workday, my coffee setup has me covered. Here’s what I’m currently using to brew my daily cups.
The Gear
Espresso & Milk Drinks: Breville Barista Express
My workhorse for everything espresso-based. The Breville Barista Express is where I make my espressos, americanos, lattes, and mochas. It’s a great all-in-one machine that has served me well for years.
Pour-over: Hario v60
For those times when I want a clean, tea-like cup of coffee that highlights the subtle notes of the beans, I reach for my v60. It’s a classic for a reason—simple, effective, and rewarding if you get the technique right.
Bulk Brewing: French Press
When we have visitors over or if I just need a lot of coffee at once, the French Press comes out. It’s reliable, consistent, and perfect for brewing larger quantities without much fuss.
Grinder: Baratza Encore ESP
While the grinder built into the Breville Barista Express was fine for making espresso, there were times when oily beans and other issues would cause me issues. As my tastes were also shifting to include more pour-over I needed a more powerful solution that was also versatile enough to cover both espresso and filter needs; hence the Baratze Encore ESP. It pairs a motor that’s far more powerful that I need with a pair of burrs that work well enough across the rango of grind sizes I need (espresso, pour-over, and french press.
The Beans
Currently, I’m brewing using Republica beans from Jacked Up Coffee. They’re locally roasted and have been consistently delicious in both espresso and pour-over; they’re a staple in my setup.
