Our 2021 Top Picks for Holiday Gifts

Shopping for that javaphile on your list? The coffee world can get overwhelming quicker than you can say "espresso." To help you navigate the endless choices out there, we've compiled a list of our top picks for coffee gear. With suggestions to thrill the whole spectrum of coffee lovers, you can hardly go wrong with this list in your back pocket. From clever travel equipment to state-of-the-art home roasters, let our expertise be your guide this holiday season.

Mugs

First up, we have the Ember mug. Can't drink coffee fast enough before it goes cold? This is the gadget to fix that problem. By placing the mug on its saucer, you are able to control the temperature of your coffee from the first sip to the last using the Ember app. It turns itself on when filled with hot liquid, and turns itself off when it senses the mug is empty. We've tried the white 10 oz. mug set, and it exceeded expectation. This is definitely a hand wash item, but that's really not a big issue.

Mugs are available in 10 oz. and 14 oz. They also have a 12 oz. travel mug! Check out all Ember products here.

Storage

Proper coffee storage is more important than most folks think. Ideally, it should be stored in an air-tight, light-tight container with minimal exposure to moisture and temperature variation. We've found a couple of attractive containers that will keep your beans as fresh as possible. We recommend these:

The Fellow Atmos Canisters come in a variety of sizes, with either glass, white stainless steel, or black stainless steel. Ranging in price from $25 - $35, these canisters are available in 0.4L, 0.7L, 1.2L sizes. With the twist of the lid, air in the canister is vacuumed out. To release the vacuum, simply press the button on the lid. 

Check out Fellow Atmos Canisters  here.

Of course, we've loved  Airscape Canisters for years. These are available in stainless steel or ceramic. Equipped with a valved internal lid, simply press the remaining air out of the canister and your beans are as safe as they can be. Both are equally effective, but we kinda like the ceramic version best. (You can write the coffee name and roast date on it with a dry erase marker!) Averaging around $30 - $40, and sizes from 8 oz. to 64 oz., these are the perfect for proper coffee storage.

You can find them at William-Sonoma, Amazon (of course), the Container Store, and  here.

Travel

There are seemingly endless ways to make coffee on-the-go. There are hand-held espresso makers that plug into your car; there are all manner of collapsible pour-over devices; and of course, there's the French press travel mugs. Each of these are great solutions for just the right person. However, these are some of the products that we use when we go traveling.

For its compact design and its tremendous versatility, we recommend AeroPress Go Travel as the method of brew. All brewing components nest inside the mug provided (oh, so satisfying), perfect for airline travel or camping. With the AeroPress, you can make a fantastic brewed coffee, Americanos, and espresso style coffee in under 2 minutes. Clean up is a snap, too. Just discard the used coffee grounds, rinse, and you're done!

Completely affordable, they usually go for around $30. Get one  here.

While not necessary on all travel occasions, if you like to remain fully self-contained while traveling, this  collapsible electric kettle is an absolute must. We like this one on Amazon because it boils water quickly, has a handy travel bag, and it collapses down to 1.7 inches! 

Grinders

One of the best investments you can make, a proper burr coffee grinder is the easiest way to directly impact the taste of your home brew. Not unlike freshly ground pepper, coffee tastes best when it's ground right before brewing. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Let's stick with the mobile coffee brewing for just a moment. The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is perfect for travel. No electricity needed. Simply set the burrs to the proper grind for your brew method, pour in beans, and turn the crank. Priced at just under $40, there's no reason everyone shouldn't have one! Get yours here.

For a more stationary grinder with larger capacity, we recommend Baratza Encore. First of all, we can't say enough about Baratza as a company. Their customer service is top-notch. The Encore is the "entry level" grinder on their line. However, we think this is the best all-around grinder on the market. From Turkish grind (super fine) to cold brew (super coarse), this grinder can handle anything. 

For our local customers, we offer Baratza Encores and Virtuosos for in-store purchases only. Get a closer look at those  here. However, if you'd like to have it shipped to you, Sweet Maria's offers them for the same price we do. They're good folks; you can trust them. Check them out here.

Home Roasters

If you're ready to take it to the next level, roasting your own coffee at home can be a tremendously rewarding experience. But this is where your hobby can get wildly expensive. 

The most accessible option is surprisingly simple, but very effective. The Nuvo Eco manual, ceramic roaster can be used just about anywhere. And at under $40, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal! A couple of caveats though: there is no safety net here and there's no smoke suppression. We recommend watching a few videos to give you an idea on proper technique before you get started. Otherwise, it really can't be beat. Get yours here.

Next up, the Fresh Roast SR540 from Sweet Maria's. This small-batch air roaster is a step up from electric popcorn poppers in that it gives you more control over the product. Even though it's not automated, it allows for more direct control over each roast. You'll be able to dial in that perfect roast in no time. Get yours here.

Now, for the ultimate home roaster, check out the Aillio Bullet R1 Roaster. An adorable piggy of a drum roaster, this option is perfect for that home roaster who needs a bit more capacity and a lot more bells and whistles. Hook it up to your computer to record roast profiles for future use, "play back" your favorites, or share them with other R1 home roasters. Control roast parameters from the touchpad or on your computer. It even comes with some roasting presets to help you get started. And with just a few adjustments, you can go as automated or as manual as your little heart desires. Also available at Sweet Maria's, you'll want to jump on this one. Get yours here.

Looking to support local? 

We offer gift certificates, heavy duty Addison Coffee Roasters canvas totes, and super soft Addison Coffee Roasters t-shirts, and of course all manner of coffee options!