Must-Have Tools for the Vegan Coffee Connoisseur

Coffee tools for the vegan connoisseur
Must-Have Tools for the Vegan Coffee Connoisseur - Serving Realness

Aside from good food, I am a huge proponent for good vegan coffee. Not much gets me out of bed quite like a perfect double-shot of espresso… Best of all, I’ve saved an insane amount of money by making it at home. Plus, you don’t even have to leave the house! (Fellow introverts feelin’ me!?)

Vegan coffee tools for the connoisseur

Ever wonder what makes your local coffee shop’s vegan coffee so good?

Have you ever bought their beans, brought them home, just to brew a nasty cup of coffee?

“What did I do wrong!? They’re the same beans.. Why does it taste so much worse when I make it at home!?”

I have an answer to all these woes: it’s the tools you have at home.

Poor-quality coffee won’t ever compete with the good stuff.

How would I know?

I’ve spoiled myself with such good coffee at home through the years that most coffee shops can’t even compare now.

Want to level up your coffee? These are the tools I use at home to brew nothing but the best.

Espresso coming out of Capresso espresso machine

1. Good Coffee Grinder

If you didn’t know:

Most coffee grinders are absolute garbage.

It’s true. Those cheap ones aren’t consistent in their grind size, and (even worse) heat your beans so they go rancid before making it through the machine.

Don’t believe me? Go and buy a conical-burr grinder and taste for yourself!

These high-quality grinders are amazing for:

  • Making uniform grind-size (essential for espresso!)
  • Extracting the full flavor of the bean
  • Grinding coffee without adding heat

Now, most coffee drinkers couldn’t care less. If their coffee is barely drinkable sludge, they’re fine. For the rest of us, however, let’s make our coffee taste the best it can.. Starting from the grind!

Any drawbacks?

It’s a hassle to clean. Worse, if you don’t clean it often enough, remnant oils will go rancid, effect taste, and possibly blow the motor.

That being said, this is a problem for any coffee grinder.. Just thought I’d mention as a blanket warning.

Cheaper Option for Coffee Grinder?

This hand-cranked one looks like a good option! Though, I’ve never used it so I can’t vouch on quality.


2. Electric Kettle

Now you have high-quality beans, ground in an excellent grinder.. Now what?

Say hello to the best electric kettle on the market.

Whether you’re making:

  • Green Tea,
  • White Tea,
  • Oolong Tea,
  • French Press,
  • Black Tea,
  • Herbal Tea, or
  • Simply boiling water

there’s a button for it!

We use this electric kettle more than most things in our vegan kitchen. This guys is a champ!

Cheaper Option for Electric Kettle?

This gooseneck kettle doesn’t have as many programmed options, but it is gorgeous. In fact, it’s so beautiful I’m considering buying, even just as a prop.


3. French Press

Next in line for vegan coffee tools is a french press! This is by far the easiest way to make coffee.

Simply:

  1. Grind coffee beans (with your new, fancy grinder)
  2. Boil water (with your new, fancy kettle)
  3. Pour both into french press
  4. Wait 4 minutes
  5. Press down the plunger
  6. Voila!

Best of all, this french press is the best I’ve ever tried.

For example: have you ever had french press and it was.. grainy?

Those are bits of ground coffee that passed through the filter.

Luckily this isn’t an issue for the Espro version!

This French Press:

    • Has a micro-mesh filter for insanely smooth coffee
    • Separates the coffee from the grounds once pressed (so it doesn’t over-steep and turn bitter)
    • Is easy as hell to clean!

Cheaper Option for French Press?

This 4-filter French Press looks like it’ll do a decent job! Plus, it comes with cleaning tools so that’s always fun.


4. Chemex Pour-over Glass Coffeemaker

Second to my French Press (in terms of ease-of-use) is the Chemex pour-over!

This one is only slightly more difficult, as you have to slowly pour hot water into the grounds for the brew cycle. (Get it? Pour-over?)

Pour-over is another great way to make a rich, dark cup of coffee without any unwanted bitterness.

Plus, once it’s poured-over, you have a beautiful carafe full of coffee. I mean, it’s practically a table-centerpiece!

Any drawbacks?

You have to stand there the whole brew cycle. Your mantra for 5 minutes is “I am the drip.”

Also! The original Chemex comes with a leather strap, what a bummer! Luckily they offer an “all-glass” version (linked and pictured here)

Cheaper Pour-Over Carafe Option?

Amazon sells a lot of knock-offs, so have at it. Unfortunately, knowing they’re knock-off I can guarantee they won’t be the same quality as Chemex.


5. Espresso Machine

Last on my vegan coffee tool-kit is the sweet, sweet Espresso machine.

Guys, I can’t even convey the feeling of being able to roll out of bed to a fresh double-shot of espresso.

To be completely honest, it’s sometimes the only reason I get out of bed!

In terms of ease-of-use, this is the most advanced method I use to make coffee. It took me a couple of months, but I’ve finally perfected the art!

Best of all, this babe has a professional steam wand for milks. Honestly, I’ve used the steam wand more than anything, even just for tea!

This machine makes the absolute best coffee I’ve ever had. And that’s no joke!

  • Durable portafilter (with two baskets)
  • Pro Steam Wand

Pair the delicious espresso with perfectly foamed almond milk and you’ll be begging for more.

Any drawbacks?

She’s a pain in the knockers to learn how to use. Is that the machine’s fault? Nope, I’m just a slow learner 😉

Also, the tamper the machine comes with is rubbish. Throw it away and get yourself a 51 mm Stainless Steel Tamper. This tamp is the perfect size, nice and level, and really solid.. Unlike the cheap plastic one included in the box.

While you’re at it, go ahead and get yourself one of these sexy Espresso Knock Boxes. There’s nothing wrong with feeling your barista fantasy at home!

Cheaper Option for Espresso Machine?

Unfortunately, espresso machines are not something you want to go cheap on. Lower-quality machines may result in poor-pulling espresso. And I don’t want you blaming yourself for a machine’s faults!

If you have to save some cash, this espresso machine looks to be decent quality. (Hopefully without sacrificing flavor or ease-of-use).

Wanting to Steam Vegan Milk?

Luckily the Capresso Espresso Machine has a great, professional steam wand!

First things you’re gonna need are:

  • A milk frothing pitcher. These guys are the perfect shape to get that delicious micro-foam!
  • And a milk thermometer. This makes it easy to get the milk to the right temperature without burning!

The next thing you’re gonna need is barista editions of vegan milk.

“But can’t I just use regular vegan milk!?”

Sure, do whatever ya want! But don’t expect to get beautiful micro-foam able to sustain latte art.

For that, you’re gonna need a special formula of foamable vegan milk.

My favorites?

Califia Farms Almondmilk Barista Blend and Oatly Oat Milk Barista Edition. These two have, in my opinion, been the best at foaming beautifully.

Pin-It for Later!

Vegan coffee tools for the coffee connoisseur (at any price level!)

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