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Well brewed: six coffee machines put to the test

2020-11-14T05:17:45.483Z


Whether by hand or with a machine: the brewing of coffee is experiencing a renaissance. We present different brewing systems and don't forget the portafilter fraction.


Icon: enlarge

Would you like a coffee?

With a dash of milk?

Photo: Gerd Blank

Coffee is the most popular drink in this country - after water.

Statistically, every German drinks 164 liters of the black brew per year.

After there was hardly any filter coffee left in cafés and restaurants for years, latte macchiatization seems to have come to an end: people are brewing again instead of drinking hot coffee milkshakes.

At home, too, the fully automatic machine is increasingly giving way to the good old hand infusion.

Drinking coffee is becoming the German version of the tea ceremony.

It's not just about the right coffee powder, but also the right style - and of course the preparation.

The quality, quantity and grind of the coffee, but also the water temperature, play important roles.

Baristas swear by correct blooming.

The powder in the filter is first wetted with water so that it can swell for a certain time.

This has several advantages: CO₂ escapes, making the taste rounder;

the coffee does not become unintentionally sour, it gains in aroma and does not taste thin or bland.

Only then is water carefully poured in.

Do you feel like having a coffee?

We looked at a few brewing variants and revealed the advantages and disadvantages.

And because there are people who have nothing to do with filter coffee, a portafilter machine is also included.

Overview of products

  • 🛒

    Kalita Wave jug

    (22 euros) and

    stainless steel

    filter

    (20 euros)


    Japanese glass jug with round filter

  • 🛒

    Aeropress

    (30 euros) and

    Aeropress Go

    (35 euros)


    plastic coffee maker for pressing

  • 🛒

    VietBeans coffee filter

     (5 euros)

    Metal filter


    for Vietnamese coffee specialties

  • 🛒

    Melitta Amano

    (150 euros)


    designer hand brewer with flow stop function

  • 🛒

    Moccamaster

    (195 euros)


    filter coffee machine from Holland

  • 🛒

    Sage "the Barista Pro"

    (660 euros)


    Portafilter machine with built-in grinder

That's how we tested

Processing:

How well are the machine and accessories processed?

Preparation:

How easy is it to make a coffee with it?

Cleaning:

How quickly can the machine be cleaned?

Taste:

How does the coffee taste?

Kalita Wave jug and stainless steel filter

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

Of course, you can buy a very simple filter holder, insert a paper filter and then place it on any jug or cup.

The concept has been around since 1908, has since conquered the world - and has long been part of the culinary culture in Japan, the tea country itself.

display

Kalita (Carita)

Kalita Wave Server coffee pot (glass, 500 ml)

From € 31.76

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The Kalita coffee pot with the matching stainless steel filter is a small testimony to this trend.

Instead of the typical pointed or angular paper bag, the stainless steel filter has a filter bag with a flat bottom that is somewhat reminiscent of a muffin shape.

The straight surface allows the water to mix evenly with the coffee powder.

The flow rate is not that high, which makes blooming more successful.

Since there are no standard paper filters, the unit price is quite high in comparison.

The small glass jug is very pretty, but the coffee doesn't stay warm in it for long.

For that you would need a warmer.

Since the capacity is not particularly large, you hardly have to worry about it.

300 milliliters of coffee fit into the small pot, and half a liter into the larger one.

This shows that it's not about speed and quantity, but about the little Zen moment: brewing by hand takes a little longer, which only increases the joy of enjoyment.

Of course, the effort is only worth it if the quality of the coffee is right, at best the beans are freshly ground directly before brewing.

Conclusion:

The small Kalita jug is intended for coffee connoisseurs and not suitable for heavy drinkers.

Aeropress and Aeropress Go

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

If you take a closer look, the Aeropress is actually a French press jug - only without a jug, but with an open bottom.

The system was invented in 2005, making it one of the youngest manual coffee preparation methods.

The Aeropress is made entirely of plastic and looks like a syringe that has become too large.

Instead of a needle, a filter with a paper insert is screwed onto one end.

display

Aerobia

AeroPress coffee maker

From € 29.50

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The preparation is relatively simple: First, add coffee powder, then pour hot water over it and finally stir the mixture for a few seconds with the attached stick.

Now the rear part is placed on the Aeropress and the coffee is pressed into a cup with pressure through the filter.

But that's just one of many methods.

There are numerous articles on the Internet on how Aeropress coffee can be optimized.

But that also proves the great success of the system.

The Aeropress is now also available in the smaller Go version including a drinking cup - also made of plastic, of course.

The Aeropress is very light due to the plastic used, at the same time plastic has nothing to do with sensual pleasure.

Incidentally, the first coffee is guaranteed not to taste particularly good, as you first have to find out your own personal preparation method and amount of coffee.

In addition, special paper filters are required that are not available in every supermarket.

Once you get used to the special method of preparation, it is fun to use and even to clean: The high pressure compresses the coffee powder into solid pellets.

Conclusion:

The Aeropress is a great system, especially in the outdoor area, but it lacks any sensuality. 

VietBeans coffee filter 

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

The real name of this permanent filter is Phin filter.

There are many similar systems like this one from Vietnam.

The coffee filter is made of thin stainless steel, small holes are punched in the base, and there is another insert above, also with holes.

The lid also serves as a storage space for the filter.

display

Hello5 Coffee

VietBeans coffee filter

From € 4.99

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The operation is simple: the filter is placed on the drinking vessel, the desired amount of coffee is poured into it and then the powder is poured with water.

The highlight in this case is the Vietnamese method of preparation, because there it can get a little sweeter with coffee.

Before brewing, sweetened condensed milk is added to the mug, the hot coffee runs straight into the milk.

Even those who don't like sweet coffee will love the wonderful smell.

For cleaning, the insert is pulled out and the coffee powder is tapped directly into the organic waste.

The filter and insert should then be rinsed off with running water.

The test showed that after frequent use of the filter, the coffee took longer to flow through the small openings.

This is also due to the grind of the coffee, which was ground too finely and clogged the holes.

It's a shame, because it was the coffee from the Vietbeans starter set.

Overall, however, the Phin filter is very practical, especially when you are out and about - and when you just want to prepare a cup.

Other filtering techniques should be used for larger quantities. 

Conclusion:

a simple filter with a sweet touch.

The low price justifies the purchase.

Melitta Amano

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

The Amano from Melitta - after all the inventor of the paper filter - is basically nothing more than a frame with a jug and filter holder.

The water must be added by hand.

Two things distinguish this coffee maker: the design and a small wheel.

Melitta has processed high-quality materials excellently for the Amano.

There is space for the glass jug on a heavy, rubberized base.

In pictures, the jug looks much larger than it actually is, it only fits 700 milliliters.

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Melitta

Melitta Amano

From € 149.99 (€ 149.99 / unit)

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The highlight is the heavy filter, which sits perfectly in a suspension, which in turn is attached between two metal struts.

There is a small rotary knob on the filter which closes the passage.

Simple principle, great effect, because this is how blooming works perfectly.

As soon as the moist powder has had enough time to bloom, the wheel is turned and the coffee flows into the pot.

The rest of the water is then slowly poured into the filter in circular movements.

Melitta has not reinvented hand brewing with the Amano, but it has gained a few very nice facets.

With its elegant design, the coffee maker can also come into its own outside the kitchen.

The rotary knob on the filter is one of those simple ideas with great added value - also when cleaning.

Because once the coffee has run through, the flow can be closed again with a twist - so the paper filter can simply be thrown in the garbage without leaving any drops on the way.

Certainly there is hardly a better and more elegant way to brew a coffee.

However, the price is anything but high for a system that requires you to work yourself all the time.

And since the heater works without electricity, it doesn't even have a keep warm function.

Of course, design, material and workmanship cost a premium - but in this case it is very high.

And the design may not really match your personal interior style.

It would be great if Melitta offered the filter system with a flow stop without the rest. 

Conclusion:

great coffee maker that you have to be able to afford.

Moccamaster

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

There is probably no coffee maker that makes coffee that tastes like it has been brewed by hand.

But the Moccamaster from the Netherlands comes very close to that.

The first machine was built a good 50 years ago, since then it has only been slightly modified and is now a design classic.

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Technivorm

Moccamaster filter coffee maker

From € 195.00

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More important than the look, however, is how good the coffee tastes - and this is where the Moccamaster gets full marks.

The water from the transparent tank is heated to 96 degrees and then discharged at intervals through several openings like a shower.

This distributes it evenly on the powder.

In addition to a power switch, there is also a second toggle switch: if the jug is no longer full, it reduces the temperature of the hot plate so that the coffee does not burn.

The Moccamaster produces great coffee and it has a distinctive design.

However, the price for this is very high.

Maybe even too high if you take a closer look at all the plastic parts: The filter and lid are light and a bit wobbly, the machine does not seem really stable.

Each part has to be picked up during preparation and cleaning, which is relatively expensive for a machine.

The water tank calcifies quite quickly, which cannot be overlooked due to the exposed position.

After all, the machine can be almost completely dismantled, which means that defective parts can be replaced by yourself.

But that gives it something of a Lego set.

But even that would probably not be cheap in this size.

Conclusion:

You will hardly find a better filter coffee machine, cheaper ones in any case.

Say "the Barista Pro"

Icon: enlarge Photo: Gerd Blank

As good as filter coffee tastes, sometimes it should be an espresso after all.

And it really only tastes like an Italian stand-up café when it is prepared with a portafilter machine.

With "the Barista Pro", Sage has a machine in its range that brews very good espresso without having to terminate your home loan and savings contract.

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Sage appliances

The Barista Pro

From € 661.88

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Buy from Otto Icon: otto

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The barista's minimalist design has its very own character.

Around 250 grams of coffee beans fit into the container, the built-in grinder is continuously adjustable.

The water tank holds two liters.

The highlight is the heating system that brings the machine to the right temperature in a few seconds.

At the beginning it is necessary to try out a little first: which of the four included inserts is perfect for the portafilter?

How much coffee should be produced per serving with which grind?

And how much water do you want in the cup?

The few setting options can be shown on the small display and selected using the menu button.

The milk frother is operated with the round rotary switch on the right-hand side.

It can also be used to produce hot water.

In terms of accessories, everything you need is included, in addition to a milk jug and the tamper for pressing the powder, the Razor even includes a tool for the perfect dosage.

Once you have found your own personal settings, the barista will brew excellent coffee, so the machine is rightly named.

There is also no problem with cleanliness, a cleaning kit is included in the package for the first cleaning.

Only the filter inserts are difficult to remove from the portafilter.

To be honest, an espresso machine is always a bit of a luxury, so the cost-benefit calculation cannot be made seriously.

But if you can and want to have fun with coffee, you can't go wrong with the barista.

Conclusion:

Espresso almost like in Italy - at a price as if you had bought the plane ticket for it.

Icon: The mirror

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2020-11-14

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