Cape Coffee Culture, as with many other artisanal crafts, has become hugely popular and rather trendy. Over the last few years, boutique roasters have popped up throughout the Cape. As a coffee lover, in the Cape, I am most assuredly spoilt for choice!
Aeropress – Coffee on the Go
As you know I love coffee! It has become such an obsession of mine. To such an extent, that I cannot go away without some sort of espresso maker in-tow! Lugging a coffee maker around, especially if space and electrical supply is limited, is not always practical. Enter the Aeropress!
Aeropress
I have heard so much about the Aeropress, that when I was offered to review it, I jumped at the chance! The AeroPress has fast become the cult brew method, of coffee lovers in South Africa and abroad. Due to the fact that its is easy to use, portable and 2-3times faster that pour over dripper, French press or syphon. There is also less sediment than with Italian mocha pots & French press.
This versatile coffee brewing option is unlike alternative manual brew methods, which demand very specific coarseness of grind to work. The AeroPress is less sensitive to grind size making it workable with any size coffee grind.
One of the main features, which I think is great is that it is Non-electric. It is also easy to clean!
What makes the AeroPress coffee maker so uniquely special?
Its patented dual brewing method is so advanced, its shared only with the most expensive commercial espresso machines. It’s this staged dual brewing method (immersion then pressure) that allows you to consistently extract more flavour quicker than any other manual brewing method such as pour over drippers, plunger coffee or french press, syphon, Italian mocha pot.
Stirring freshly ground coffee into hot water allows the coffee time to swell, and agitate and absorp into the water. Then plunging pressurizes the brew, evenly extracting more flavour in under a minute.
The micro-fiber filter papers removes all sediment and fines to ensure a perfectly clean cup, unlike Italian mocha pots and plungers/french press. It is light weight, compact and made from BPA free food safe plastic. All these features make it the perfect travel partner!
How to Use
The method is fairly simple, once you get the hang of it. After watching a few how-to videos, the above method seems the most practical and user friendly.
Place the paper filter, in the filter holder and prime with hot water. Then add your desired amount of coffee – the recommended amount is 15-20grams but I think I may require a bit more as I like strong coffee.
Add hot water to cover the coffee grind, then stir. Top up with hot water and then secure the filter.
Once the filter is in place, turn the Areopress around and place over a cup or jug, then press the plunger.
Hey presto you have a cup of freshly brewed coffee!
Verdict
I think the Aeropress is easy to use and being portable it ticks all the boxes for me. The only thing I need to work on is the ratio of coffee I am using, as the coffee was too weak for me. I did grind my own beans and I think perhaps I need to use a darker roast.
If you have used the Aeropress I would love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment below. For more details or to purchase an Aeropress please visit the More Flavour Website. RRP 695.
Disclosure Ranking:2
The New Inissia by Nespresso
As you may already know I am a bit of a coffee junkie, as well as a bit of a coffee snob! I have been known haul our coffee machine on holiday with us or call ahead to ensure that there is either a machine or at the very least, a french press available at our destination! Crazy I know but my day is not complete without at least one cup of “proper” coffee 🙂
I was super excited when I was offered the New Inissia by Nespresso to review! The timing could not have been more perfect, as we were off on our road trip to Knysna and compact Insissia machine, is the perfect travel companion.
First a bit about the Inissia:
The new Inissia machine from Nespresso is simple, with a chic design and is available in a palette of playful colours. It weighs a mere 2.4kg making it the lightest Nespresso machine yet but there is no compromise on quality, as it features all of Nespresso’s advanced technology! Streamlined for maximum efficiency, this machine lives up to Nespresso’s reputation for high end technology and quality is guaranteed by the Inissia 19 bar pressure extraction system.
As well as all the usual Nespresso functionality, it has a nifty folding drip try, which makes storage and transport very easy. You can buy the Inissia as a stand-alone machine or as a bundle, which includes the new Aeroccino 3, milk frother.
Nespresso has thought of everything, from automatic pre-programmed coffee buttons, which ensure the perfect coffee serving size each time to speed at your service with fast heat up in just 25 seconds. The Inissia might be tiny treasure but it boasts a water tank capacity 0.7L and a large capsule container which can hold up to 11 capsules, what’s more is that it is categorized in the A Energy Efficiency Class thanks to an innovative automatic shut-off after 9 minutes.
The launch of Inissia, includes four permanent colour options including Ruby Red, Vanilla Cream and monochromatic glam in White and Black. For a pop of bright colour you can also look forward to two trendy limited edition colours, which include Summer Sun and Sky Blue (available exclusively from Nespresso Boutiques only).
I absolutely loved traveling with the Inissia, it is small and lightweight but still delivers great coffee in no time at all!
It was great to have the convenience of great tasting coffee, wherever we went, obviously the only necessity for traveling with the Inissia is access to electricity. The machine heats up super fast and as well as great functionality, it looks really good as well.
Nothing beats a great cup of coffee especially in the morning! The cup above was enjoyed on our deck in Kynsna 🙂
The Inissia is available from Nespresso boutiques worldwide including the Sandton Nespresso Boutique in Sandton City Shopping Centre and the Cape Town Nespresso Boutique at the V & A Waterfront as well as online at www.nespresso.com for a RRP of R1500.00 (incl. VAT) and R2450.00 for the bundle option including the new Aeroccino 3.
Disclosure Ranking: 2
My Week on Instagram
Hi everyone it is Monday again and time for me to share My Week on Instagram! I am afraid I have been a bit slack on the blogging front but things have been a bit chaotic around here! From organising my daughters 13th Birthday party this Saturday, to my poor pooch having to go in for an operation this week, there has not been much time for anything else!
The one thing I am trying to maintain in the midst of all the chaos is healthy living and healthy eating! We are trying, as a family, to eat a well-balanced diet, which means cutting out all the processed foods and including lots of fresh fruit and veg. The other side of staying healthy – for me anyway, is maintaining my fitness level, my goal is to exercise at least 6 out of 7 days of the week. This is not easy to do with a busy schedule but I am determined to keep it up!
As well as eating and living a healthy life, it is vital to take some time out to enjoy life and what would life be without coffee!!?? As you know I am vaguely obsessed with coffee and really wish I had more time on my hands to explore more of the fab coffee spots in Cape Town! I recently discovered a little hidden gem at Buitenverwachting wine farm, called the Coffee Bloc. They not only serve the most awesome coffee, served on a heart-shaped wooden board but they have the most amazing tapas!
Last week I received Bukeela Nespresso capsules, to try out! Bukeela is a new pure origin Lungo coffee, from Ethiopia. I really enjoyed the flavour but it is not quite as intense in flavour, as the other Nespresso coffees I drink!{I like my coffee quite strong!} I would classify it as a well rounded, flavourful, easy drinking coffee 🙂
I absolutely love makeup and looking good, it is amazing how quickly a bright lippie can lift your mood! There is also nothing better than a pretty mani and pedi and although I don’t always have time to pop in to a salon, I try to keep my nails looking good! This summer I have really been enjoying all the gorgeous bright makeup colours – especially coral and fuchsia shades. One of my favourite lipsticks for summer, has to be Vegas Vault, by MAC Cosmetics.
If you would like to see more of my pics, then pop over to my Instagram feed, or follow me @inspiredlivingsa. Please leave your Instagram user name or link in the comment section below so that I can follow back.
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Review
I recently reviewed the Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Nescafé’s answer to the capsule coffee system. Those who know me well know that good coffee is very important to me and I love finding quaint coffee shops, when we are out and about!
As much as I enjoy coffee shops, I also like to enjoy good coffee at home. We have tried various pod machines and for the moment I am back to my French Press. I was keen to try the Dolce Gusto and see how it compared, to other capsule machines on the market.
The Dolce Gusto, is said to provide coffee-shop quality beverages at the push of a button. Sealed for maximum freshness, the handy little capsules are packed with coffee, as well as frothy milk and tasty hot chocolate. The Dolce Gusto’s capsules come in 11 different flavours.
Unfortunately when the Dolce Gusto machine was delivered, Espresso capsules were not included with the machine, which is my favourite way to drink coffee. The Dolce Gusto was a big hit with my girls who loved the Vanilla Latte Macchiato and Caramel Latte Macchiato, as well as the Chococino and Mocha flavours.
The machine comes in two models, the Dolce Gusto Genio and Circolo. The Genio is small and powerful, and with its stylish design and professional 15 bar pressure, is easy to use, producing a delicious cup of coffee in seconds.
The Circolo, on the other hand, automatically starts and stops brewing. The award-winning design includes a built-in LED screen and comes with a new “Play & Select” feature to help create coffee shop quality drinks that are tailor-made to suit consumer preferences.
I found the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio is easy to use, even my kids could operate it! It looks good on the counter top, is small and compact, which means it does not take up much space. I think it would be the perfect machine for you if you enjoyed a variety of coffee beverages.
The recommended retail price for the Dolce Gusto Genio is R1999 and the Dolce Gusto Circolo is R2499. They are available from selected retailers; Spar, Pick n Pay, @Home, Hirsch’s, Makro, Game, Checkers, Boardmans and Takealot.com.
For more information you can visit the Nescafé Dolce Gusto SA Facebook Page.
Images: ©FAR Photography