Well it’s another Monday. Even though life may look a bit different right now, the one thing that remains a constant right now is my love for coffee. I remember when Starbucks became a big thing and my mom and her best friend would drop us off at school and go straight to the Starbucks to hang out. (Well I’m pretty sure they were going to do PTA things, but it always felt like we were being ditched!) I also was convinced my mom was addicted to coffee so I guess it’s true that I’ve really turned into her 😂
Though, of course, we’re not going to Starbucks. We have had the occasional coffee from our local cafe (more to support them than anything else). But we’re making our own coffee every morning and then doing an espresso drink every afternoon. Mike and I trade off doing it in the morning– whichever person makes it brings a cup up to the other person so they can have coffee in bed. At this point, it’s the little things that bring joy!
I wanted to share the two machines we use because I am SO grateful for them. I did a lot of research for both and, well, I think they are THE BEST you can buy.
When Mike and I lived in Hoboken, our plain regular coffee maker just stopped working one day right outside of the warranty window (naturally). After a lot of research, we settled on the Moccamaster. Everyone who had one raved. I looked past the hefty price tag and went for it, hoping it was as amazing as everyone claimed it to be. Spoiler alert: it is. This machine makes THE BEST coffee I’ve ever had in a home. It’s super fast and insanely quiet too. It’s kind of embarrassing how often we rave about it– but it’s just that good. We have to spread the word!!! And even though it’s expensive, we’re getting our money’s worth no question.
Then I splurged on this Breville for my birthday present to myself last year. It felt like a bit of an extravagant gift at the time, but omg am I happy to have this little guy! In fact, I love it so much that if I were to do it again, I think I’d actually get one of the fancier machines. With that said though, this little guy does everything we need. It pulls are really good shot of espresso and you steam your milk for drinks too.
10/10 recommend. One thing that I haven’t always been the best at is that it’s okay to invest in quality products if they’re going to really serve you well for years. Sure the $30 coffee maker I had in Hoboken was fine and the coffee was fine. But now I LOVE every morning’s cup. And I had been going out to get cappuccinos every afternoon, then gave up disposable coffee cups so I was missing that “treat.” Turns out I love making espresso at home and now (or rather then? ugh 💔) going out to a cafe was a true treat. They were big spends but the return has been worth it, and then some. Especially now– they bring a sense of normalcy into the day and the coffee and espresso are two things I look forward to.
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Somewhere you had mentioned that you’ve been making up espresso drink recipes. You should share them! I tried making the tiktok coffee and it totally failed this afternoon, still delicious though! Missing my cafe treats so much 🙁
Not a coffee-person but I liked treading that the person that gets up first brings a cup of coffee to the other person still in bed. So lovely!
Yes! I live the trade off- so sweet!
My daily coffee has been grounding me in my daily routine, and this little thing definitely brings me joy! I spent a few days figuring out how to make dalgona coffee, and I thought that once I figured out how to make it, I’d be satisfied and go back to my old routine of instant coffee (fancy, I know), but I love the ritual of whipping coffee (kind of meditative!), and I love the thick, creamy texture, so now it’s thoroughly embedded into my routine!
Hi Carly! I was just curious if you leave your mocha master on the counter or if you put it away each night. It’s such a funny looking machine, I think it would irritate me to have it out all the time
We leave it on the counter! I think it looks weirder in the photo without a background than it does in person.
I have the Mocamaster with the aluminum carafe
It makes coffee in 6 minutes, and pours it over thegrind at 199f to 206f. I leave mine on the countertop. I always get coments like, does thag make bread, or wow where did you get that! Then I go into my research about Technovorm. 5 years and no issues!!
Hey Carly! Do you have specific coffee brand/espresso brand that you get? I have a grocery order scheduled for Thursday and need to add some coffee to my cart and looking to try something new!
We get the Illy canisters for the espresso– it’s already ground because I just think it’s easier haha. And for coffee, we’ll do almost anything. At Whole Foods we usually get Stumptown beans or the Whole Foods label ones… but right now we’re doing whatever the store has available on InstaCart (just added Newman’s Own).
If you’re looking to try something new a here few of my favorite small roasters:
National
Heart Coffee Roasters (Portland, OR)
Sleepy Monk Roasters (Cannon Beach, OR)
Fulcrum Coffee (Seattle, WA)
International
Calendar Coffee (Galway, Ireland) – ships super quick
Square Mile Roasters (London)
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been on the lookout for new coffee set-ups for our upcoming move. About how many cups does the Moccamaster make? Have you had any issues with the glass carafe?
I usually do 10 tablespoons of coffee + 30 ounces of water and we get enough coffee for Mike I to have about two servings. (I don’t know the exact amount but I know we generally each go back for another top off at some point in the morning.)
We have had the same glass carafe for about two years with zero problems. I read the reviews about people breaking theirs… I wouldn’t say we handle ours with kid gloves by any means, but breaking the glass has never been a concern!
I love my morning coffee. (although since I am the only coffee drinker in this house I have a keurig) I really enjoy my quiet cup every morning before my kids and husband are awake. I look forward to it!
My bf and I have been making pour-overs every morning, which I have been loving. It doesn’t take up too much space – we have a very small kitchen – and it tastes great. One day I’d love to splurge on a machine with a frother like what you’ve posted here. That’ll have to wait until we have more space!
Love the trade-off! The little things certainly make a difference.
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Thanks for sharing! If you want to elevate your coffee game even more, I recommend investing in a burr coffee grinder. Fresh ground really does make a huge difference and the burr grinder ensures an even grind. I use Breville’s, which maybe gives you more control than you need but I work in coffee lol
Carly, I enjoy reading about how you’re coping with the pandemic. Some of the strategies you mentioned last week were helpful, and I found it really easy to relate to you.
Parts of this post, however, are so tone-deaf to the sudden financial insecurity that millions of Americans are facing or may soon be facing that it’s mindboggling. Sometimes you’re just so out of touch with what’s typical and reasonable for most of us (like a $30 coffeemaker). In your post from March 21, you advocated for fiscal responsibility and yet here you’re talking about spending +$1,000 on an espresso machine.
Personally, I enjoy reading about stuff like this just to get my mind off what is happening. I really love this post because I drink coffee every day and invested in an espresso machine and a coffee grinder last year, which really elevated my morning cup. I appreciate knowing what someone else spends their money on and recommends, so when I am ready to upgrade I can have an idea from someone who actually uses it. Why would Carly write about a machine she has no experience with?
Carly, thanks for providing a refreshing post to read during this difficult time that we are ALL trying to cope with and get through.
Carly was just trying to share her experience. I work in coffee and can say the Moccamaster and Breville coffee makers are among the top if in your budget. But you shouldn’t feel you have to buy these appliances to make a great cup. If you have patience I recommend using a French press, hand pour over or brewing espresso on the stovetop. A good French press or pour over will be between $20 – $30. You just need a way to heat the water (even a sauce pot would work bringing it up to just under boiling) and grinder (I recommend burr grinders as they allow better control for the different brewing metgods) which start around $30.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for the suggestions!
I understand where you are coming from in your comment, but in all fairness to Carly, she purchased this maker before Coronavirus stay at home occurred. One way of looking at the decision on whether or not to purchase a machine under normal circumstances is that if one visits Starbucks or similar coffee establishment daily, this maker pays for itself in less than a year.
Bought the Breville espresso maker on your recommendation as a Christmas present to myself and it truly makes the best espresso! I used to go out for espresso drinks all the time. Now I love making at home iced lattes before walking the dogs. Brings a bit of normalcy to the day.
I love my afternoon latte/cappuccino/espresso, and I bought a bottle of cold brew to fill the void. Yeah..its not the same, and am thinking of impulse ordering a espresso or Nespresso machine, haha! I love that something like coffee can become almost like a daily ritual. I really miss my midday jolt! Hope you had a great cup of joe today, Carly 🙂
Libby
I’m not even a big coffee drinker but this set-up looks great! I love it!
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We just got the Breville and it’s truly amazing! The best thing to wake up to is a delicious cappuccino, thank you for the recommendation!
Ugh! I love that you can make eachother cups of coffee, lol my boyfriend refuses to drink any coffee I make because he related it to “poison.” Apparently I use way too much sugar haha so jealous that you can drink coffee made by each other haha it’s the little things.
This looks truly amazing set up. Great job!