A gift card to a well known roaster, especially those that sell rare types of coffee, is something that I think would be welcome across all levels of coffee enthousiasts.
Gifts cards are basically just restricted cash, if you’re getting someone a gift card, just get them cash so they can use it anywhere they please. Include a business card for the place you wanted them to use it at.
@@AppleiReviewer you're not wrong. I just think that a gift card to a roaster shows that you care a bit more than just handing out some cash. I wasn't talking about a generic gift card mind you, but one that's for a roaster specifically
@@beerfish109 To each their own, I've personally never given a gift card, but I have given cash before. It all depends on the situation. My preference would be gift, cash, then gift card. But to be honest, I'd rather receive nothing than something I have to pretend I like or have to return. That's just me though, the safe bet if you don't know someone that well is cash. I find that most people hold onto gift cards for so long and finally cave randomly to buy something around the value of the card whether they truly want it or not, and then end up having to spend their own money to make up the difference. A gift voucher is better, one gift between $x-x value at a place of your choosing is ideal, sort of like an IOU card or token, like a night out covered by me.
A few years back my wife surprised me with an Ember mug, having independently researched via a JH video. The mug itself didn't fit into the way I drink coffee (I never let my coffee go cold!) but I love that she went to the trouble to find it for me so ... let's not forget that while it's the GIFT that counts, the THOUGHT deserves a lot of credit as well!
I have a rule of thumb. If someone has a hobby, don't buy a present related to that hobby (unless you're more knowledgeable in that hobby). They probably know more than you on the subject, and there's a good chance you'll buy something that seems like a good idea, but they'll probably think it's junk (i.e. whisky stones). I've given so many bad presents not realizing it. I've received so many bad presents related to my hobbies. I get a set of whisky stones every year. I have drawer full of whisky stones. Don't buy anyone whisky stones.
@@andreas8482 They don't stay cold and are therefore pointless when you can just use ice. Also, many people don't sip whiskey on the rocks (but rather sip it neat), so for some people who are "into whiskey" they're an utterly pointless gift.
@@andreas8482to add to what others have said, melting is an endothermic process so ice slowly melting in a drink will actually do a lot more cooling than just using a cold stone. In addition, a lot of what people enjoy about drinking whiskey on ice is actually the slight dilution you get from the ice melting which smooths out some of the harshness in the drink. In fact, the traditional way to serve Scottish whisky is at room or cellar temperature with a small jug of water to add to taste, so you get the dilution without the cooling. Getting the cooling without the dilution on the other hand isn't nearly as enjoyable in practice. It's also not fun to try and drink from a glass that has a rock at the bottom of it, nor to serve the drink without dropping said rock from too high and breaking the glass as it lands in it!
Well, I'm a weird coffee person who watches stuff like this trying to figure out things my family could get me when I already have so much stuff... Honestly, the best answer is usually just 'coffee'. Can't go wrong with more coffee.
This was a great gift guide! Early on in my coffee rabbit hole I was gifted a scale and a goose neck kettle. I still use them and felt like it was a great starting point
I'm still a beginner but I have my cheap scale and little gooseneck kettle too that I use almost every day. Saying that good versions of those can be gotten relatively inexpensively for a beginner. This year I'm contributing to my niece's coffee grinder fund. I have not been willing to invest in a very expensive one so I'm going to let her make that decision. She has actually worked at a coffee shop before but doesn't do that much at home yet.
Agreed! My girlfriend has gotten me a lot of gifts that I don't use, but damn did she nail it when she got me a goose neck kettle with accurate temperature control. I use it almost every day.
This is the answer. Let's all try to buy less equipment and rather support (your local) roaster by gifting coffee. Does not have to be a subscription, could even just be a coffee bag or a taster set.
I absolutely second the drinkware choice. As someone who is somewhere between 'intermediate' and 'advanced' coffee person, I have more than enough brewers from my experimentation phase, but, shamefully, I still drink most of my coffee from Ikea cups. Especially I would recommend looking around for local artisan ceramicists, they often make really beautiful, unique drinkware that everybody would appreciate. And it can be surprisingly affordable.
That's another one that depends on the person. I like how the fancy artisan stuff looks, but I drink my coffee out of a stolen cafe nero mug and that will never change 🤭 (my friends know this tho!)
I would advise however, to make sure the drinkware is practical, i.e. it's easy to drink from (not a weird shape), is comfortable to hold, and is microwave and dishwasher safe. There's nothing more frustrating than being given a beautiful mug that hurts your hand when you drink from it and needs to be handwashed with a special cloth! I always do a little investigation if I can, perhaps nosing around their cupboards while I look for a water glass and just making sure my choice of mug would work for them!
James has to be one of the only influencers on RUclips you can truly trust, he never shills his own company, the man could have gone on about square mile and he didn’t and this had no sponsor spot and for one of the only times ever the spot was filled by THT. Anybody else on RUclips can’t wait to tell you about all their products and merch or try to sell you on a product they have a vested interest in and James just never does it. I admire his unwavering Integrity which is something rarely seen anymore in people. ✌️♥️
@@millarj1it wasn't just his books. That entire skit were all his products. But he did separate out them from the rest of the video and was honest about the conflict of interest. And I personally prefer that over hiding it or having to rely solely on chasing algorithm determined revenue over making what he wants.
I fall into the serious hobbyist category and already own everything that would be considered “dream setup” at home - one GREAT idea from my girlfriend that I really loved, she gave me custom made travel/camping bag that neatly organizes my hand grinder/v60/filters/mini camping gooseneck kettle for when I travel and go camping. I really love it and it’s pretty unique
Agreed. Because I've gotten some rather terrible gifts from people who know I'm into this craft or that craft -- so, like "oh you like knitting? Here's some cheap acrylic yarn." and "oh, you like beading? Here's a small jar of assorted beads of similar colours where no bead is identical." (aka "bead soup") Actually, no, I've gotten worse bead-related gifts than that -- things like broken necklaces, and swatches of beads sewn on cloth that used to be part of a dress - because of course I want to put in the extra labour required to extract those beads into a useable state.
When I was starting with coffee, I received a gift box from a local roaster; it had a nice mug, a ceramic v60, some paper filters and a very generous gift card. I used it to get a little box that had small bags of different coffee from different regions, different blends, etc. That allowed me to understand what coffee I liked and how I would like to prepare each of them.
Because I love this channel, and because I host a lot of brunches, board games, and such, my DnD group all pitched in together to get me a Flair. And it was delightful. Best coffee gift ever from some truly remarkable people.
In all honesty, the best gift I ever received was when someone asked me what I wanted because they were overwhelmed by the world of Coffee and didn't know how I enjoyed it fully. It meant so much that they put the effort into researching the Coffee world and realising it was deeper than they thought.
Well-designed drinkware is often underrated. Having a cup that feels good to hold and is balanced, is the right size for your hands, and is made from a material that works for you (glass, porcelain, stoneware, etc.) and is shaped to best experience the aroma will enhance your experience. Maybe a gift certificate to a local artist gallery? Yes, cups can be found at thrift stores for less, but here's an opportunity to give something unique and personal to be used every day.
Essentially, prioritize giving coffee people something that enhances or adds to their experience, and stay away from machines unless you know exactly what they want.
James, i wanted to say thank you! I know that sounds so kitschy but since i saw a video of you for the first time, my life drasticly changed. I began to really dip my toes into a hobby i always had interest in, but never took the jump. I started with filter coffee, saw more videos of you and really got hooked into it. And now, around 2 years later i work as a barista in a wonderful local café / roastery and got quite skilled in it. It really changed my perspective and work philosophy and im so greatful for it. So yea, thank you!
I’m in the coffee game for like 12 years or so but would still consider myself to be intermediate level. I prefer receiving a gift card from a local roaster rather then receiving beans, as you said at some point you just know what you like and what not, so finding beans that fit my preferences is almost impossible for others.
As always, a great video! As a tea professional, I think this gift guide is very well done, because you can easily use the recommandations for other food related hobbies. I often see people in my shop that don’t really like tea, choosing gifts *they* would like (flavoured stuff), but that’s not really appropriate for a connoisseur. Remember you’re buying for someone that actually likes the stuff! 😅 I loved your comment on Amazon: again, this also applies to tea. Not only because of issues around freshness, but also because as an enthusiast you usually also like the industry itself and care about the shops and the workers. I would personally like knowing that the person gifting me something encouraged a shop I love.
One possible gift idea that you could give if you know multiple coffee people: if you have a vacuum sealer, you could purchase a variety of specialty coffees (3-5 bags) and portion them out into 2-3 dose bags. That way each person can try out a number of different types of coffee. Might be a bit wasteful in terms of plastic though. Definitely avoid gifting any large appliances unless you know they want one. Countertops are prime real estate, and nothing's more annoying than trying to find a space for a bulky appliance you didn't ask for.
There’s two big problems with gifts for people obsessed with any field of experience: they are very specific about what they would like to have and they probably already have what they like. So if you want your gift to be a surprise and a success, your odds are slim. 😢
My wife learned that. In ANY of my deep hobbies, I buy my own stuff. If I want or need something, I will buy it myself. Buying something for me is 99% likely to miss. We deal with this by making a list, then she knows EXACTLY what to get, and it won't be a miss.
Omg, I've been on a mental health journey this year... at my lowest point, barely able to get out of bed, no money, I had to do instant coffee. Upgraded to moka pot, then espresso machine... this video places me at "intermediate" and just that idea of like, coffee measuring my mental health.... Idk, really oddly made my day. Thanks, Hoffman!!
When days get shorter, darker and a bit more grey and depressing, this is the place I like to come. The nice, warm, cozy world of coffee. Especially with James Hoffmann. The love, motivation, inspiration and professionalism these videos are made with truly makes his RUclips channel feel like a nice, nerdy living room.
Though it's not structured to be one, I used the earlier "must-have espresso accessories" video as a great gift guide for my mom's partner! He's an espresso lover with a fancy Rancilio machine but not enough of a geek to get into accessories, so last Christmas I bought him a puck screen and _made_ him a needle tool out of some embroidery needles and a champagne cork, and he was over the moon with both. It was cheap, too!
For someone that already weird about cofffee, you can buy them vacuum sealer. It's relatively cheap, and as for me a waited looooong time before I but it, but then after I buy it, it solve many problems. One of them is when I feel generous and "accidentally" buying more beans than I could consume, just because I want to taste this and that from a roastery, now I can do it without the fear of my beans going stale in the queue. I just vacumm it, mark it so I know what's what, and throw it in the freezer..Tested and till fresh up to 3-4 months... So for me it's Food Vacuum Sealer..
You notice that no coffee professionals mention a vacuum sealer? The reason is: Coffee release gas constantly - that is the flavour. Because the bag isn't expanding because it's flat from the vacuum - it means the coffee is stale (no gas = stale). If it was fresh, the bag would expand and eventually explode. This is why no coffee on a Supermarket shelf is truly fresh because the bag is air sealed. Otherwise explosion.
@@galliman123 Yeah it will be fine, I just use vacuum to speed up the process. Sometimes good coffee for at the time i buy far from my location, so i buy 1-2 kg of it. If I were to manually bag it per 100gr, it takes a good amount of time. With vacuum its only 10 minutes or less.
I bought the Weird Coffee Person mug when it first came out. It's a burden in being so much better then any other mug I've come across. It's got a good amount of mass making it great for holding my coffee to temp. It's got a rounded bottom that gives enjoyment to the last sip, and (personal preference) a thick lip for a bit of textile enjoyment. I have not seen another coffee mug like it and would take one even if it had the most cliche or vulgar of comments on it. I'm now stuck with the burden of hand washing this mug every day to hope for longevity. Thanks a lot JH!
There is a cupping class offered by a local roaster that I have been meaning to attend for a while. My Chemex and Aeropress have been my gifts over the years. Though I only truly fell in love with the aeropress earlier this year when I discovered the 10 minute brew.
@@N15.2Look for Jonathan Gagné's AP recipe. Basically: put all the water in at once, stir back and forth, put on the plunger, swirl, wait 5 min, swirl again, wait 5 min (or longer) and press very slowly (over like 1 min). It's good!
Hi James! I’m Jonathan, 22 y.o. from Maine, and I have a dual passion for coffee and environmental consciousness. Marrying these passions has made my hobby a bit unique and arguably more stimulating than the caffeine. For starters, I am in college, so my setup is only as expansive as can be jigsawed into a shopping bag between dorms. That said, I LOVE all useful and artistic tools secondhand (presses, pots, assorted colored glass mugs, brass/glass/wood/copper whirligigs, etc). My vintage ottoman hand grinder takes about 7 minutes per serving, which I feel is my way of putting in the work to say “thank you” for having access to coffee from so far away in my own hands. I would even add that, in my dream setup, I’d use an antique tenth-gram scale that uses weights alone, no electricity. The niche sustainability feels good and does good, and that makes me very happy. Thank you for the contributions you give to the RUclips and coffee community :)
Coffee gifts are great! Especially for an enthusiastic beginner with no money (me 8 years ago!); especially the classics that may be difficult for someone to justify buying but they'd really want (an Aeropress, V60 or Moka Pota, some scales, a pouring kettle, a grinder... and good coffee!!). It was gifts that really allowed me to follow my passion and I am still so grateful for receiving those gifts. Some have been replaced over time but others like the Aeropress or V60 I'll always aaaaalllways have and return to. Maybe try gadgets around these too. Cloth fliters, different attachments, immersion V60's etc.
One of the best gifts I have received on my coffee journey was a specialisation course of the SCA. There are many to choose from and beyond the certification, the experience and improvement of my coffee was heaven to earth. Scientifically understanding every variable and every step behind a cup of coffee gives an incalculable value to this hobby, beyond many physical gifts. Often "better" equipment doesn't make better cups without the knowledge behind it to get the most out of them.
My wife gifted me chemex, hand grinder and a coffee scales, which moved my hobby level from beginner to intermediate. Now I am watching this channel, thank you James for all the knowledge how make tasty coffee. And looking forward to gather more stuff 😊
This is awesome and definitely aligns with how I feel about giving and receiving coffee gifts! Small thing: having some images would be great when you describe different cups and mugs and all, without revealing any brands/links/names. It would help people understand what exactly to look for and what to avoid.
When I travel for the holidays, I always stop at the local coffee shops/roaster and pick up fresh beans for the host. Even if all they have is a Mr. Coffee or even a Keurig, picking up a quality blend and having it ground at the shop if needed has always been well received in my experience. “Hey, thanks for hosting, I know you usually drink grocery store coffee, so I figured I would treat you to something similar in flavor but locally roasted!” Bonus: you don’t have to drink Pike’s Place during the holidays, you can experience a new coffee with the host every morning, and if the host likes the coffee, they now have a new local spot to try.
I found my barista husband a coffee advent calendar with specialty coffee from all over the world different processing methods. He absolutely LOVED the idea and is eagerly waiting to be able to open it. Also, replacing items with nicer quality stuff could be a good idea. Our v60 is translucent plastic (which we both don't love) and broken at the bottom. We still use it, it works fine, but well... so I'm on the hunt for a nice ceramic non-broken replacement.
The plastic version is actually the most superior of them all as it turns out. Look up Scott Rao, and many others. The idea is that you don't want the brewer to rob heat. Look at his graphs and you'll start seeing the plastic as gold. Sold my ceramic years back. It's also soo light and excellent for travel if need be. Plastic can be sexy if it makes better brew. The Japanese made it for a reason, not for cost. Also many top Japanese brew champions all use it. Replace the chipped one tho!
The best coffee gifts I have received have definitely been the tasteful and thoughtfully chosen drink ware from my wife! Not only do they add to my enjoyment of good coffee but also remind me of her every time I use them, for example during business travel. ☕️
Oddly enough the worst gift that I repeatedly get as a coffee person is ...coffee. It's usually a "fair-trade, organic" bag of beans that was found in some store or even at a local roaster. Usually a pretty dark roast, that's been roasted some time ago. I then brew one coffee and let it sit on the counter until I sadly throw it away after another 3 weeks.
The best coffee gift I've received - by far - was an Aeropress. It was right at the start of my coffee journey, I was struggling to decide where to start, and I was suffering from analysis paralysis in a major way. All of a sudden, bam, there's a brewer, I have it, so I might as well build around it. Helped me decide to buy a hand grinder to compliment the portability of the brewer, helped me pick my storage canisters and scales to compliment the aesthetics of the brewer, all in all it was just the push I needed to really dive in, and I'm very grateful for that.
I love the skit in this, 🤣 brilliant video. I am currently at the stage where I am just trying to get good tasting coffee out of a moka pot and a french press, I have a cheap grinder and a cheap scale, nothing fancy.
You didn't ask for advice but I can't help myself: a french press is an excellent brewing method. All you need for great tasting coffee are good beans and a decent grinder such as a Baratza Encore, which can be found used for under 100 £/€/$ and has replacement parts readily available for longevity.
@@mju135 thank you! I didn't ask but was searching James's videos today for a reasonable grinder recommendation. You've solved my problem. I have a good local roaster with water-decaffinated beans; a pay for 3 kilos and get the 4th free membership and a French press.
@@mju135 I think I have good beans, I am not 100% sure, they are freshly ground which is good. I can't really afford a great grinder (mine is essentially the Javapresse), as I am a student, all of my coffee brewers are second hand. I live in South Africa and I am trying to do the best with what I have. Thanks for the advice.
@@connorchapman4223 being in a similar situation ressoucewise as you are: my biggest advance was, to find out which of the roasters behind the different supermarket brands have which „expiration date period“, first I judged by what was left of it in a hand full of stores on the same day. Afterwards i had it confirmed by emailing them. For Example: Here in switzerland at my prefered chain called „Migros“ it differed between 12 and 18 month depending on the roaster. Knowing it for a bunch of roasters and their different „brands“ and flavours, I now manage to find a recently roasted coffee, that was packaged less than four weeks ago almost every time. You will notice the different blooming behaviour and taste immidiately.
This is a way better video for the holiday gift category videos on RUclips I've seen. Well done. This also made me think of buying someone a new set of burs for their grinder if they happen to fall into the advanced category
Best gift I ever got was the ember mug. I exclusively drink pour overs and take my time with it so it fit very nicely into how i drink coffee. It's too expensive for me to ever buy for my self but receiving it as a gift was great
For my birthday I received a ceramic Hario v60 pour over to replace my old plastic Melitta pour over that was deteriorating. Best coffee maker I have ever owned! Years ago I found that I like pour overs better than stranded American drip coffee makers or the Keurig. I didnt even know why till recently while learning on your channel. Your content is next level. Thank you!
The best coffee gift I've ever received was actually also the first one ever, a set of hario scales and an aeropress! My best friend wanted me to upgrade from using a moka pot and wondering why I never get the same cup of coffee 😅
My wife bought me a lovely coffee advent calendar which featured a unique dose of coffee from different roasters around the world for each day. Really great way to try a bunch of different things, and to narrow down the type of coffee I liked.
My one exception to your "gifts to avoid" section is that if the person owns a Thermos or other brand of insulated flask but doesn't own a Zojirushi brand flask, buy them a Zojirushi. They're easy to use and clean, they *never* leak (mine's rotated itself upside-down in my bag before and not leaked a drop!), and they keep their contents better insulated than anything I've ever tried - easily 8 hours or more! No matter what someone has chosen to solve their need for an insulated flask before now, if it wasn't a Zojirushi then buying them one will always be an upgrade. I know this all sounds like I'm a shill for them but I promise I'm not, I just really love mine!
Just one caveat: if you pretend to gift it to an intermediate or above coffee hobbyist it still will be a no no. Stainless steel imparts off flavors into coffee. There are some situations where great insulation is very much appreciated, but imo in speciality coffee it is not necessarily the case.
Last Christmas I was I would say in the intermediate category and my partner gifted me an Aeropress. At that point I had a pretty good V60 and espresso setup so this was very different but most importantly solved the problem of travel brewer for me. I think that was one of if not the best gift I've ever received!
You know what James, as a general guide to gift giving, you touch upon some very thoughtful and inciteful points. Right down to the cost and the approach to stages of a person's hobby. Coffee or otherwise. This video is a generous gift within itself, so thank you. You're a professional and kind man. I can see why your wiki page has a good layout 😅
Very specific, but Coffee Advent calendar from a roaster is a nice gift and a perfect way for someone to learn about the differences in coffee and find what they prefer.
Another good idea for outdoor/camping enthusiasts out there who still want good coffee when they’re not home is a manual/hand-grinder (not the vintage one James talked about). I usually don’t use it at home for espressos, but when I’m outside on a camping/trekking trip, I always bring it with me so I can still have a fresh coffee from my small moka pot or aeropress. I received it as a gift and I love it !
both my brother and I are both super early in coffee brewing deciding we want something better than instant coffee just a French press and preground coffee got him a temperature controlled kettle for his birthday he loved it :)
In case there was any confusion, definitely buy your coffee family member or friend a mug that says “don’t speak to me until I’ve had my coffee” - they will love the novelty and humor when they look at it every morning
The people that think that way are drug addicts just going for the Caffeine and function at work. They need to calm down the Caffeine. All coffee nerds care for is flavour and those druggos are beneath us (politely speaking) with their petrol station brew. I appreciate the sarcasm tho
i was a very enthusiastic beginner and my dad was so happy about it that he bought me a lelit bianca and a specialtia burr grinder all so i could try to make the most authentic and delicious cup of espresso. definitely one of the coolest gifts i’ve ever gotten
My wife would describe me as an advanced coffee enthusiast. A few years back, she purchased the best coffee gift. A cupping session with a local roaster for my birthday. In the class, we were provided scoring sheets to rate multiple tasting tastes, smells, and flavors. The roaster also had one of those kits where you smell and attempt to blindly identify specific items. It was all great fun that brought more awareness of taste, smell, and roast profiles. Afterwards, the roaster gave us each a pound of our favorite bean based on what we learned. A very memorable gift! Thanks for the video, James! The pitch man was very funny.
Mr. Hoffman Thank you for these wonderful videos. I had lost my love for coffee but because of your brewing videos, my joy has been revived and continues to deepen.
Thank you James. I just ordered “How to make the best coffee at home” as a Christmas gift for my daughter that will go nicely with her new espresso machine.
The best coffee gifts I‘ve ever received: - A coffee tasting where 1 coffee was prepared with a variety of different methods going from coarse grind to fine grind (Karlsbader Kanne, French Press, V60, Aeropress, Espresso) - An Espresso advent‘s calendar containing coffee from unsual places (e.g. Uganda) - An E61 group thermometer (which I actually wished for when I still had a HX machine) Nowadays, I would probably appreciate a subscription of Standard Magazine or a coffee subscription or even just a gift card for a good roaster the most.
Having left working as a professional barista for 15 years, new various quality brewers are a great gift, now that I don't have a commercial setting to tinker around in anymore. I also enjoy sharing my coffee knowledge, so when I have an interested friend getting into coffee, having extra filter coffee brewers allows me to pass on my hobby to others.
James, I love all of your coffee content... but I also just want to point out perhaps an under appreciated aspect of your channel...and that is how conscientious you are about being so ethical in pointing out conflicts of interest, etc. So admirable!!! Much praise for the content AND character!
The best gift I received for coffee was hands down a home roasting course. It was with basic (Stove top) equipment, but I learned a lot and had so much fun. It was a great way to spend an afternoon with people I cared for and I still think back fondly on the experience.
Not done one myself but a few of my "intermediate" coffee loving friends have been gifted half day experiences / courses making coffee with pro baristas and they've all loved it. I'm hoping / expecting one this xmas!
Best gift I bought for my wife, coffee-wise, was a tasting session at Coffee Gems (West England). It was really informative, fun and we met some lovely people. It also inspired us to delve a little further into single origin coffees, grinding beans and so on. Highly recommended.
Refractometer is a good one. My bestie always gets me some weird ass stuff that I will never buy myself, even if I want to. Even if it's something I'll forget about in a few months, I'm always grateful for the experience. Refractometer comes to mind. It's something I was always thinking about, but never caring enough to actually get myself one. So if you wanna throw money at someone you love, this can be an amazing gift. Great video, btw!
I actually just started my coffee journey a couple weeks ago! I'm still new and still perfecting the V60 technique you came out with for the five-step brewing. I'm just not good at being precise. But I'm at least trying my best.
I'd say I'm a beginner. My favorite coffee-gift has been a few months subscription to a local roaster I'd already been enjoying every-so-often as a treat, and had mentioned to family. Also I'm kind of low on mugs so I do appreciate those too especially if they are varied from the standard shape.
This is a pretty decent guide. Couple of notes on stuff you mentioned: - Thermoses: please don't. They're annoying because they keep it too hot, and we probably have one anyway. If the person you're gifting really needs one and doesn't have one, get them a Fellow Carter. - Coffee subscription: be careful. As a coffee person, I'm picky about what coffee I buy. James' recommendation to buy a lot fewer than they actually consume is nice because it gives them a gift, while letting them buy their own. - Coffee mugs: be VERY careful. I got a mug with various pictures of me on it, and...it's thoughtful and from a person I love, but that's the only reason I haven't gotten rid of it. It's a decent pen holder, but nothing more. Worse still, friends have made fun of me for being vain, thinking I bought it... it truly is a bad gift. Stuff I think are good: - Ember mugs! They're SO convenient, and the app is well-designed and gets out of your way. It's just a good product. I've heard bad things about the travel versions, though, so maybe be wary. - If it's someone you don't frequently meet but are close to, and if they're more of a casual drinker, then a date of sorts to a good cafe, where you try different beverages and talk and catch up.
Bald Hoffman was a very generous gift, though utterly shocking and I am still recovering.
I think it woke something up in me, but I'm not sure what 😂
I had the same primal fear of seeing your father without a beard for the first time
Serious Jim Bowen (from Bullseye) vibes there. It was both super, smashing and great.
He just loves fake facial hair, and frankly we all need more of him having fun with it.
I’m down for some more Archi-Bald Hoffman in my life
Obviously the best gift for an advanced coffee hobbyist is a bripe, if only to see their reaction when they open the box.
I've definitely considered getting one haha I'd basically use it for camping and that's it
I can’t say I wouldn't be delighted. It’s not the most yseful but it would be an amazing gift.
I have actually received one as a gift and it's delightful. It's probably the best coffee gift I've ever received.
how often do you use it though @@ReaperUnreal
I would love to get one.... I'd happily sit on my deck on crisp cool mornings briping away
A gift card to a well known roaster, especially those that sell rare types of coffee, is something that I think would be welcome across all levels of coffee enthousiasts.
Yeah, or even just "good" coffee beans from a small roaster would be appreciated on every level imo and perfectly fits into the small budget.
Gifts cards are basically just restricted cash, if you’re getting someone a gift card, just get them cash so they can use it anywhere they please. Include a business card for the place you wanted them to use it at.
@@AppleiReviewer you're not wrong. I just think that a gift card to a roaster shows that you care a bit more than just handing out some cash. I wasn't talking about a generic gift card mind you, but one that's for a roaster specifically
@@hsvfanjan17 yeah I tried asking for beans with some specifics (though nothing overly mad). Never panned out well.
@@beerfish109 To each their own, I've personally never given a gift card, but I have given cash before. It all depends on the situation. My preference would be gift, cash, then gift card. But to be honest, I'd rather receive nothing than something I have to pretend I like or have to return. That's just me though, the safe bet if you don't know someone that well is cash. I find that most people hold onto gift cards for so long and finally cave randomly to buy something around the value of the card whether they truly want it or not, and then end up having to spend their own money to make up the difference. A gift voucher is better, one gift between $x-x value at a place of your choosing is ideal, sort of like an IOU card or token, like a night out covered by me.
A few years back my wife surprised me with an Ember mug, having independently researched via a JH video. The mug itself didn't fit into the way I drink coffee (I never let my coffee go cold!) but I love that she went to the trouble to find it for me so ... let's not forget that while it's the GIFT that counts, the THOUGHT deserves a lot of credit as well!
ya better use that mug boy
I saw those mugs only after seeing Curb Your Enthusiasm so they always remind me of that spite store.
I gifted myself an Ember mug, absolutely love it!
My friends got me a similar mug last year, I haven't used it often but I still love it on my desk.
I got one as a gift last year and use it every day!
James knew me intimately and understood this video is the gift I truly needed as a Hoffmann Hobbyist.
You'd even say, a "Hoffmanthusiast".
@@p5rawQ No doubt this will get a like from Hoffman himself
I have a rule of thumb. If someone has a hobby, don't buy a present related to that hobby (unless you're more knowledgeable in that hobby). They probably know more than you on the subject, and there's a good chance you'll buy something that seems like a good idea, but they'll probably think it's junk (i.e. whisky stones). I've given so many bad presents not realizing it. I've received so many bad presents related to my hobbies. I get a set of whisky stones every year. I have drawer full of whisky stones. Don't buy anyone whisky stones.
Honest question: whats so Bad Whisky Stones? (Not a Whisky guy here)
@@andreas8482 They don't stay cold and are therefore pointless when you can just use ice. Also, many people don't sip whiskey on the rocks (but rather sip it neat), so for some people who are "into whiskey" they're an utterly pointless gift.
@@lincolnreynolds4874 Thank you for basically answering my "what are whisky stones" question lmao
@@lincolnreynolds4874but....ice will make the whisky thinner when it melts 😮
@@andreas8482to add to what others have said, melting is an endothermic process so ice slowly melting in a drink will actually do a lot more cooling than just using a cold stone. In addition, a lot of what people enjoy about drinking whiskey on ice is actually the slight dilution you get from the ice melting which smooths out some of the harshness in the drink. In fact, the traditional way to serve Scottish whisky is at room or cellar temperature with a small jug of water to add to taste, so you get the dilution without the cooling. Getting the cooling without the dilution on the other hand isn't nearly as enjoyable in practice. It's also not fun to try and drink from a glass that has a rock at the bottom of it, nor to serve the drink without dropping said rock from too high and breaking the glass as it lands in it!
Ah yes, gifts for "other people"
Well yeah, you make the other person test it out then buy it for yourself if it’s good 😂
Or share the video to your friends in hopes they get you something
You just put the quotes around gifts and other. Technically yourself is people.
Well, I'm a weird coffee person who watches stuff like this trying to figure out things my family could get me when I already have so much stuff...
Honestly, the best answer is usually just 'coffee'. Can't go wrong with more coffee.
@@xyzpdq1122That’s a great idea. Never would’ve thought to do it that way
This was a great gift guide!
Early on in my coffee rabbit hole I was gifted a scale and a goose neck kettle. I still use them and felt like it was a great starting point
I'm still a beginner but I have my cheap scale and little gooseneck kettle too that I use almost every day. Saying that good versions of those can be gotten relatively inexpensively for a beginner. This year I'm contributing to my niece's coffee grinder fund. I have not been willing to invest in a very expensive one so I'm going to let her make that decision. She has actually worked at a coffee shop before but doesn't do that much at home yet.
Agreed! My girlfriend has gotten me a lot of gifts that I don't use, but damn did she nail it when she got me a goose neck kettle with accurate temperature control. I use it almost every day.
I got a coffee subscription for 1 bag a month for 6 months from my favourite roastery. Best gift ever! Thanks mum!
This is the answer. Let's all try to buy less equipment and rather support (your local) roaster by gifting coffee. Does not have to be a subscription, could even just be a coffee bag or a taster set.
I absolutely second the drinkware choice. As someone who is somewhere between 'intermediate' and 'advanced' coffee person, I have more than enough brewers from my experimentation phase, but, shamefully, I still drink most of my coffee from Ikea cups. Especially I would recommend looking around for local artisan ceramicists, they often make really beautiful, unique drinkware that everybody would appreciate. And it can be surprisingly affordable.
That's another one that depends on the person. I like how the fancy artisan stuff looks, but I drink my coffee out of a stolen cafe nero mug and that will never change 🤭 (my friends know this tho!)
I would advise however, to make sure the drinkware is practical, i.e. it's easy to drink from (not a weird shape), is comfortable to hold, and is microwave and dishwasher safe. There's nothing more frustrating than being given a beautiful mug that hurts your hand when you drink from it and needs to be handwashed with a special cloth! I always do a little investigation if I can, perhaps nosing around their cupboards while I look for a water glass and just making sure my choice of mug would work for them!
James has to be one of the only influencers on RUclips you can truly trust, he never shills his own company, the man could have gone on about square mile and he didn’t and this had no sponsor spot and for one of the only times ever the spot was filled by THT. Anybody else on RUclips can’t wait to tell you about all their products and merch or try to sell you on a product they have a vested interest in and James just never does it. I admire his unwavering Integrity which is something rarely seen anymore in people. ✌️♥️
Apart from specifically recommending 2 of his own books you are correct
@@millarj1it wasn't just his books. That entire skit were all his products. But he did separate out them from the rest of the video and was honest about the conflict of interest. And I personally prefer that over hiding it or having to rely solely on chasing algorithm determined revenue over making what he wants.
@@Phingolfina in what way is for example the jigsaw puzzle his product?
@millarj1 It's sold on the site he is somehow connected to (not sure whether he is the owner, co-owner or what).
I see! Fair enough 😂 man's gotta make a living!
I fall into the serious hobbyist category and already own everything that would be considered “dream setup” at home - one GREAT idea from my girlfriend that I really loved, she gave me custom made travel/camping bag that neatly organizes my hand grinder/v60/filters/mini camping gooseneck kettle for when I travel and go camping. I really love it and it’s pretty unique
Mini camping gooseneck kettle? Pleas tell me more..!
I really wish I had a catalog of videos like this for every hobby. Extremely useful.
Yes I was thinking about how it would be useful for my geologist friend
Agreed. Because I've gotten some rather terrible gifts from people who know I'm into this craft or that craft -- so, like "oh you like knitting? Here's some cheap acrylic yarn." and "oh, you like beading? Here's a small jar of assorted beads of similar colours where no bead is identical." (aka "bead soup") Actually, no, I've gotten worse bead-related gifts than that -- things like broken necklaces, and swatches of beads sewn on cloth that used to be part of a dress - because of course I want to put in the extra labour required to extract those beads into a useable state.
When I was starting with coffee, I received a gift box from a local roaster; it had a nice mug, a ceramic v60, some paper filters and a very generous gift card. I used it to get a little box that had small bags of different coffee from different regions, different blends, etc. That allowed me to understand what coffee I liked and how I would like to prepare each of them.
Because I love this channel, and because I host a lot of brunches, board games, and such, my DnD group all pitched in together to get me a Flair. And it was delightful. Best coffee gift ever from some truly remarkable people.
I'd love a Flair very much. Great gift
"We got you this gift so you can make us all espresso when we come over. You've seriously got to up your hosting game man"
@@segamble1679 Hahhahah that is actually a really good summary of what happened
In all honesty, the best gift I ever received was when someone asked me what I wanted because they were overwhelmed by the world of Coffee and didn't know how I enjoyed it fully. It meant so much that they put the effort into researching the Coffee world and realising it was deeper than they thought.
well what did they end up giving you?
@@FranksPercussionfriendship
also being able to share your hobby is awesome
Well-designed drinkware is often underrated. Having a cup that feels good to hold and is balanced, is the right size for your hands, and is made from a material that works for you (glass, porcelain, stoneware, etc.) and is shaped to best experience the aroma will enhance your experience. Maybe a gift certificate to a local artist gallery? Yes, cups can be found at thrift stores for less, but here's an opportunity to give something unique and personal to be used every day.
Essentially, prioritize giving coffee people something that enhances or adds to their experience, and stay away from machines unless you know exactly what they want.
James, i wanted to say thank you!
I know that sounds so kitschy but since i saw a video of you for the first time, my life drasticly changed.
I began to really dip my toes into a hobby i always had interest in, but never took the jump. I started with filter coffee, saw more videos of you and really got hooked into it.
And now, around 2 years later i work as a barista in a wonderful local café / roastery and got quite skilled in it.
It really changed my perspective and work philosophy and im so greatful for it.
So yea, thank you!
I’m in the coffee game for like 12 years or so but would still consider myself to be intermediate level. I prefer receiving a gift card from a local roaster rather then receiving beans, as you said at some point you just know what you like and what not, so finding beans that fit my preferences is almost impossible for others.
As always, a great video! As a tea professional, I think this gift guide is very well done, because you can easily use the recommandations for other food related hobbies. I often see people in my shop that don’t really like tea, choosing gifts *they* would like (flavoured stuff), but that’s not really appropriate for a connoisseur. Remember you’re buying for someone that actually likes the stuff! 😅 I loved your comment on Amazon: again, this also applies to tea. Not only because of issues around freshness, but also because as an enthusiast you usually also like the industry itself and care about the shops and the workers. I would personally like knowing that the person gifting me something encouraged a shop I love.
One possible gift idea that you could give if you know multiple coffee people: if you have a vacuum sealer, you could purchase a variety of specialty coffees (3-5 bags) and portion them out into 2-3 dose bags. That way each person can try out a number of different types of coffee. Might be a bit wasteful in terms of plastic though.
Definitely avoid gifting any large appliances unless you know they want one. Countertops are prime real estate, and nothing's more annoying than trying to find a space for a bulky appliance you didn't ask for.
8:29 "I make no apologies" - this would be the tagline of any Hames Joffmann video 😂
There’s two big problems with gifts for people obsessed with any field of experience: they are very specific about what they would like to have and they probably already have what they like. So if you want your gift to be a surprise and a success, your odds are slim. 😢
My wife learned that. In ANY of my deep hobbies, I buy my own stuff. If I want or need something, I will buy it myself.
Buying something for me is 99% likely to miss.
We deal with this by making a list, then she knows EXACTLY what to get, and it won't be a miss.
A bald James Hoffmann suggesting gifts for coffee people is something you don't see everyday 🙂
But from this day onward, you can!
👴🏻
I want a bald James Funk Pop now.
The northern accent really sells it. 😂
But I wish I did
The coffee advent calendar would be the best present. Something that seems too decadent to buy for yourself; but to be given it would be a total dream
I also thought about the calendar, but it should be then gifted at the beginning of the December, not at the end ;-)
depends as there are some bad coffee calendars out there
some very bad 1's
The Sponsors section warmed my heart so much 😂❤
I would go so far as the say that he has gone so far as to have out-Hames Joffmanned himself with that segment! 😂
Omg, I've been on a mental health journey this year... at my lowest point, barely able to get out of bed, no money, I had to do instant coffee. Upgraded to moka pot, then espresso machine... this video places me at "intermediate" and just that idea of like, coffee measuring my mental health.... Idk, really oddly made my day. Thanks, Hoffman!!
Well done mate. Throw that Moka out the window (donate to Salvation army) and grab a quality french press or V60 and enjoy the next level
When days get shorter, darker and a bit more grey and depressing, this is the place I like to come. The nice, warm, cozy world of coffee. Especially with James Hoffmann. The love, motivation, inspiration and professionalism these videos are made with truly makes his RUclips channel feel like a nice, nerdy living room.
Though it's not structured to be one, I used the earlier "must-have espresso accessories" video as a great gift guide for my mom's partner! He's an espresso lover with a fancy Rancilio machine but not enough of a geek to get into accessories, so last Christmas I bought him a puck screen and _made_ him a needle tool out of some embroidery needles and a champagne cork, and he was over the moon with both. It was cheap, too!
My favourite coffee gift to get is coffee. It’s always good to have and I’ll be making a lot for friends and family over the holidays.
I really hope that we get more James sketch characters exploring various different british accents 😂
I had a coffee advent calendar this year which has different coffees from all around the world. That was a great present for someone newish
Adding in a worst gifts selection really rounds out the conversation, brings it home
I was gifted the Ember mug, and while it is something I would never have bought myself, it an amazing mug, and I use it every day.
For someone that already weird about cofffee, you can buy them vacuum sealer. It's relatively cheap, and as for me a waited looooong time before I but it, but then after I buy it, it solve many problems. One of them is when I feel generous and "accidentally" buying more beans than I could consume, just because I want to taste this and that from a roastery, now I can do it without the fear of my beans going stale in the queue. I just vacumm it, mark it so I know what's what, and throw it in the freezer..Tested and till fresh up to 3-4 months... So for me it's Food Vacuum Sealer..
You notice that no coffee professionals mention a vacuum sealer? The reason is:
Coffee release gas constantly - that is the flavour. Because the bag isn't expanding because it's flat from the vacuum - it means the coffee is stale (no gas = stale). If it was fresh, the bag would expand and eventually explode. This is why no coffee on a Supermarket shelf is truly fresh because the bag is air sealed. Otherwise explosion.
I use IKEA bag with double zip lock. Press as much air out and freeze. Defrosted 3 months later was totally fine
@@DNGR369 You do you MR... :D
@@galliman123 Yeah it will be fine, I just use vacuum to speed up the process. Sometimes good coffee for at the time i buy far from my location, so i buy 1-2 kg of it. If I were to manually bag it per 100gr, it takes a good amount of time. With vacuum its only 10 minutes or less.
I bought the Weird Coffee Person mug when it first came out. It's a burden in being so much better then any other mug I've come across. It's got a good amount of mass making it great for holding my coffee to temp. It's got a rounded bottom that gives enjoyment to the last sip, and (personal preference) a thick lip for a bit of textile enjoyment. I have not seen another coffee mug like it and would take one even if it had the most cliche or vulgar of comments on it. I'm now stuck with the burden of hand washing this mug every day to hope for longevity. Thanks a lot JH!
Is it no longer for sale?
Ad section was brilliant!
I can only imagine the tedium of wrapping something as awkward as the Chemex. Well done, whoever did that.
Easily the best in video sponsor/advertisement clip I have ever seen on RUclips. I applaud you James Hoffmann.
There is a cupping class offered by a local roaster that I have been meaning to attend for a while.
My Chemex and Aeropress have been my gifts over the years. Though I only truly fell in love with the aeropress earlier this year when I discovered the 10 minute brew.
What's the 10 Minute Brew? Sounds Interesting...
@@N15.2Look for Jonathan Gagné's AP recipe. Basically: put all the water in at once, stir back and forth, put on the plunger, swirl, wait 5 min, swirl again, wait 5 min (or longer) and press very slowly (over like 1 min). It's good!
Hi James! I’m Jonathan, 22 y.o. from Maine, and I have a dual passion for coffee and environmental consciousness. Marrying these passions has made my hobby a bit unique and arguably more stimulating than the caffeine. For starters, I am in college, so my setup is only as expansive as can be jigsawed into a shopping bag between dorms. That said, I LOVE all useful and artistic tools secondhand (presses, pots, assorted colored glass mugs, brass/glass/wood/copper whirligigs, etc). My vintage ottoman hand grinder takes about 7 minutes per serving, which I feel is my way of putting in the work to say “thank you” for having access to coffee from so far away in my own hands. I would even add that, in my dream setup, I’d use an antique tenth-gram scale that uses weights alone, no electricity. The niche sustainability feels good and does good, and that makes me very happy.
Thank you for the contributions you give to the RUclips and coffee community :)
Coffee gifts are great! Especially for an enthusiastic beginner with no money (me 8 years ago!); especially the classics that may be difficult for someone to justify buying but they'd really want (an Aeropress, V60 or Moka Pota, some scales, a pouring kettle, a grinder... and good coffee!!).
It was gifts that really allowed me to follow my passion and I am still so grateful for receiving those gifts. Some have been replaced over time but others like the Aeropress or V60 I'll always aaaaalllways have and return to.
Maybe try gadgets around these too. Cloth fliters, different attachments, immersion V60's etc.
One of the best gifts I have received on my coffee journey was a specialisation course of the SCA. There are many to choose from and beyond the certification, the experience and improvement of my coffee was heaven to earth. Scientifically understanding every variable and every step behind a cup of coffee gives an incalculable value to this hobby, beyond many physical gifts. Often "better" equipment doesn't make better cups without the knowledge behind it to get the most out of them.
Try to avoid buying coffee for someone if you have no guidance as to how to select a roaster or what kind of bag they’d be looking for
My wife gifted me chemex, hand grinder and a coffee scales, which moved my hobby level from beginner to intermediate.
Now I am watching this channel, thank you James for all the knowledge how make tasty coffee. And looking forward to gather more stuff 😊
This is awesome and definitely aligns with how I feel about giving and receiving coffee gifts!
Small thing: having some images would be great when you describe different cups and mugs and all, without revealing any brands/links/names. It would help people understand what exactly to look for and what to avoid.
When I travel for the holidays, I always stop at the local coffee shops/roaster and pick up fresh beans for the host. Even if all they have is a Mr. Coffee or even a Keurig, picking up a quality blend and having it ground at the shop if needed has always been well received in my experience. “Hey, thanks for hosting, I know you usually drink grocery store coffee, so I figured I would treat you to something similar in flavor but locally roasted!”
Bonus: you don’t have to drink Pike’s Place during the holidays, you can experience a new coffee with the host every morning, and if the host likes the coffee, they now have a new local spot to try.
I found my barista husband a coffee advent calendar with specialty coffee from all over the world different processing methods. He absolutely LOVED the idea and is eagerly waiting to be able to open it. Also, replacing items with nicer quality stuff could be a good idea. Our v60 is translucent plastic (which we both don't love) and broken at the bottom. We still use it, it works fine, but well... so I'm on the hunt for a nice ceramic non-broken replacement.
the stainless V60 is great
The plastic version is actually the most superior of them all as it turns out. Look up Scott Rao, and many others. The idea is that you don't want the brewer to rob heat. Look at his graphs and you'll start seeing the plastic as gold. Sold my ceramic years back. It's also soo light and excellent for travel if need be.
Plastic can be sexy if it makes better brew. The Japanese made it for a reason, not for cost. Also many top Japanese brew champions all use it. Replace the chipped one tho!
The best coffee gifts I have received have definitely been the tasteful and thoughtfully chosen drink ware from my wife! Not only do they add to my enjoyment of good coffee but also remind me of her every time I use them, for example during business travel. ☕️
I’ll be sending this to everyone! Christmas made easy
I was generously gifted a Sage/Brevill precision brewer by my wife and we use it almost daily. What a gift!
Oddly enough the worst gift that I repeatedly get as a coffee person is ...coffee. It's usually a "fair-trade, organic" bag of beans that was found in some store or even at a local roaster. Usually a pretty dark roast, that's been roasted some time ago. I then brew one coffee and let it sit on the counter until I sadly throw it away after another 3 weeks.
I feel you. Didn't happen to me but could easily imagine it happening. Just tell ppl?
The best coffee gift I've received - by far - was an Aeropress.
It was right at the start of my coffee journey, I was struggling to decide where to start, and I was suffering from analysis paralysis in a major way. All of a sudden, bam, there's a brewer, I have it, so I might as well build around it. Helped me decide to buy a hand grinder to compliment the portability of the brewer, helped me pick my storage canisters and scales to compliment the aesthetics of the brewer, all in all it was just the push I needed to really dive in, and I'm very grateful for that.
I love the skit in this, 🤣 brilliant video. I am currently at the stage where I am just trying to get good tasting coffee out of a moka pot and a french press, I have a cheap grinder and a cheap scale, nothing fancy.
You didn't ask for advice but I can't help myself: a french press is an excellent brewing method. All you need for great tasting coffee are good beans and a decent grinder such as a Baratza Encore, which can be found used for under 100 £/€/$ and has replacement parts readily available for longevity.
@@mju135 thank you! I didn't ask but was searching James's videos today for a reasonable grinder recommendation. You've solved my problem. I have a good local roaster with water-decaffinated beans; a pay for 3 kilos and get the 4th free membership and a French press.
@@mju135 I think I have good beans, I am not 100% sure, they are freshly ground which is good. I can't really afford a great grinder (mine is essentially the Javapresse), as I am a student, all of my coffee brewers are second hand. I live in South Africa and I am trying to do the best with what I have. Thanks for the advice.
@@connorchapman4223 being in a similar situation ressoucewise as you are: my biggest advance was, to find out which of the roasters behind the different supermarket brands have which „expiration date period“, first I judged by what was left of it in a hand full of stores on the same day. Afterwards i had it confirmed by emailing them.
For Example: Here in switzerland at my prefered chain called „Migros“ it differed between 12 and 18 month depending on the roaster. Knowing it for a bunch of roasters and their different „brands“ and flavours, I now manage to find a recently roasted coffee, that was packaged less than four weeks ago almost every time.
You will notice the different blooming behaviour and taste immidiately.
This is a way better video for the holiday gift category videos on RUclips I've seen. Well done.
This also made me think of buying someone a new set of burs for their grinder if they happen to fall into the advanced category
Best gift I ever got was the ember mug. I exclusively drink pour overs and take my time with it so it fit very nicely into how i drink coffee. It's too expensive for me to ever buy for my self but receiving it as a gift was great
For my birthday I received a ceramic Hario v60 pour over to replace my old plastic Melitta pour over that was deteriorating. Best coffee maker I have ever owned! Years ago I found that I like pour overs better than stranded American drip coffee makers or the Keurig. I didnt even know why till recently while learning on your channel. Your content is next level. Thank you!
The best coffee gift I've ever received was actually also the first one ever, a set of hario scales and an aeropress! My best friend wanted me to upgrade from using a moka pot and wondering why I never get the same cup of coffee 😅
My wife bought me a lovely coffee advent calendar which featured a unique dose of coffee from different roasters around the world for each day. Really great way to try a bunch of different things, and to narrow down the type of coffee I liked.
My one exception to your "gifts to avoid" section is that if the person owns a Thermos or other brand of insulated flask but doesn't own a Zojirushi brand flask, buy them a Zojirushi. They're easy to use and clean, they *never* leak (mine's rotated itself upside-down in my bag before and not leaked a drop!), and they keep their contents better insulated than anything I've ever tried - easily 8 hours or more! No matter what someone has chosen to solve their need for an insulated flask before now, if it wasn't a Zojirushi then buying them one will always be an upgrade. I know this all sounds like I'm a shill for them but I promise I'm not, I just really love mine!
Seconded!
Just one caveat: if you pretend to gift it to an intermediate or above coffee hobbyist it still will be a no no. Stainless steel imparts off flavors into coffee. There are some situations where great insulation is very much appreciated, but imo in speciality coffee it is not necessarily the case.
Last Christmas I was I would say in the intermediate category and my partner gifted me an Aeropress.
At that point I had a pretty good V60 and espresso setup so this was very different but most importantly solved the problem of travel brewer for me.
I think that was one of if not the best gift I've ever received!
I’m excited to see what other alter-egos James has been holding back
You know what James, as a general guide to gift giving, you touch upon some very thoughtful and inciteful points.
Right down to the cost and the approach to stages of a person's hobby. Coffee or otherwise.
This video is a generous gift within itself, so thank you. You're a professional and kind man. I can see why your wiki page has a good layout 😅
I'm really easy to buy for. All I want for Christmas is a La Marzocco Linea Micra, in black. Thanksbye!
I was told to f off when I told my gf the exact same 😂
received a subscription from Trade a couple years back as a birthday gift from my siblings. one of my favorite and most memorable gifts
Very specific, but Coffee Advent calendar from a roaster is a nice gift and a perfect way for someone to learn about the differences in coffee and find what they prefer.
Another good idea for outdoor/camping enthusiasts out there who still want good coffee when they’re not home is a manual/hand-grinder (not the vintage one James talked about). I usually don’t use it at home for espressos, but when I’m outside on a camping/trekking trip, I always bring it with me so I can still have a fresh coffee from my small moka pot or aeropress. I received it as a gift and I love it !
both my brother and I are both super early in coffee brewing deciding we want something better than instant coffee just a French press and preground coffee got him a temperature controlled kettle for his birthday he loved it :)
My work gave me a 12 month coffee subscription last Christmas, I loved it, highly recommended! It even comes from a certian London based roastery!
I know for a fact the best coffee gift that I have received that will never be topped is a Bripe
This is by far the best version of the "how to gift coffee nerds" video ever. Well done!
Now I feel like one step under a beginner coffee person..😢
Years ago I got a vintage coffee set and it was so lovely that I started drinking more coffee just to use it.
In case there was any confusion, definitely buy your coffee family member or friend a mug that says “don’t speak to me until I’ve had my coffee” - they will love the novelty and humor when they look at it every morning
The people that think that way are drug addicts just going for the Caffeine and function at work. They need to calm down the Caffeine. All coffee nerds care for is flavour and those druggos are beneath us (politely speaking) with their petrol station brew. I appreciate the sarcasm tho
My wife bought me a ROK for my Birthday maybe 10 years ago and it forms the center point of my weekend coffee routine. I love experimenting with it!
We demand rerun or updated coffee ugly sweaters
i was a very enthusiastic beginner and my dad was so happy about it that he bought me a lelit bianca and a specialtia burr grinder all so i could try to make the most authentic and delicious cup of espresso. definitely one of the coolest gifts i’ve ever gotten
My wife would describe me as an advanced coffee enthusiast. A few years back, she purchased the best coffee gift. A cupping session with a local roaster for my birthday. In the class, we were provided scoring sheets to rate multiple tasting tastes, smells, and flavors. The roaster also had one of those kits where you smell and attempt to blindly identify specific items. It was all great fun that brought more awareness of taste, smell, and roast profiles. Afterwards, the roaster gave us each a pound of our favorite bean based on what we learned. A very memorable gift!
Thanks for the video, James! The pitch man was very funny.
Mr. Hoffman
Thank you for these wonderful videos. I had lost my love for coffee but because of your brewing videos, my joy has been revived and continues to deepen.
absolutely appreciate the little detail of the golden watch on the balding salesman character. spot on, made my day!
The coffee subscription is the best idea! Thanks you so much for the button of my heart.
Easily the best Gift-Giving advice video I've ever seen. They should all follow this model - advise on principles, not specific choices
I like unique coffee things. I may or may not use them but I like having them around.
This video is so accurate! I am an "intermediate" in my coffee journey and all the gifts you mentioned for that category were very exciting.
Thank you James. I just ordered “How to make the best coffee at home” as a Christmas gift for my daughter that will go nicely with her new espresso machine.
The best coffee gifts I‘ve ever received:
- A coffee tasting where 1 coffee was prepared with a variety of different methods going from coarse grind to fine grind (Karlsbader Kanne, French Press, V60, Aeropress, Espresso)
- An Espresso advent‘s calendar containing coffee from unsual places (e.g. Uganda)
- An E61 group thermometer (which I actually wished for when I still had a HX machine)
Nowadays, I would probably appreciate a subscription of Standard Magazine or a coffee subscription or even just a gift card for a good roaster the most.
Having left working as a professional barista for 15 years, new various quality brewers are a great gift, now that I don't have a commercial setting to tinker around in anymore. I also enjoy sharing my coffee knowledge, so when I have an interested friend getting into coffee, having extra filter coffee brewers allows me to pass on my hobby to others.
James, I love all of your coffee content... but I also just want to point out perhaps an under appreciated aspect of your channel...and that is how conscientious you are about being so ethical in pointing out conflicts of interest, etc. So admirable!!! Much praise for the content AND character!
Got a Nespresso and a Starbucks gift card for my coffee snob friend, Thx James!
Oh you 🤫
The best gift I received for coffee was hands down a home roasting course. It was with basic (Stove top) equipment, but I learned a lot and had so much fun. It was a great way to spend an afternoon with people I cared for and I still think back fondly on the experience.
Not done one myself but a few of my "intermediate" coffee loving friends have been gifted half day experiences / courses making coffee with pro baristas and they've all loved it. I'm hoping / expecting one this xmas!
James' interpretation of what I'm guessing/assuming Yorkshire accent is wonderful and I'm here for it
Best gift I bought for my wife, coffee-wise, was a tasting session at Coffee Gems (West England). It was really informative, fun and we met some lovely people. It also inspired us to delve a little further into single origin coffees, grinding beans and so on. Highly recommended.
Refractometer is a good one. My bestie always gets me some weird ass stuff that I will never buy myself, even if I want to. Even if it's something I'll forget about in a few months, I'm always grateful for the experience.
Refractometer comes to mind. It's something I was always thinking about, but never caring enough to actually get myself one. So if you wanna throw money at someone you love, this can be an amazing gift.
Great video, btw!
This is an incredibly thoughtful video. Most gift giving videos are shallow but I watched expecting more. This destroyed my expectations. Great job!
I actually just started my coffee journey a couple weeks ago! I'm still new and still perfecting the V60 technique you came out with for the five-step brewing. I'm just not good at being precise. But I'm at least trying my best.
So nice to see Larry David cameo in this! Truly a gift
I'd say I'm a beginner. My favorite coffee-gift has been a few months subscription to a local roaster I'd already been enjoying every-so-often as a treat, and had mentioned to family. Also I'm kind of low on mugs so I do appreciate those too especially if they are varied from the standard shape.
This is a pretty decent guide. Couple of notes on stuff you mentioned:
- Thermoses: please don't. They're annoying because they keep it too hot, and we probably have one anyway. If the person you're gifting really needs one and doesn't have one, get them a Fellow Carter.
- Coffee subscription: be careful. As a coffee person, I'm picky about what coffee I buy. James' recommendation to buy a lot fewer than they actually consume is nice because it gives them a gift, while letting them buy their own.
- Coffee mugs: be VERY careful. I got a mug with various pictures of me on it, and...it's thoughtful and from a person I love, but that's the only reason I haven't gotten rid of it. It's a decent pen holder, but nothing more. Worse still, friends have made fun of me for being vain, thinking I bought it... it truly is a bad gift.
Stuff I think are good:
- Ember mugs! They're SO convenient, and the app is well-designed and gets out of your way. It's just a good product. I've heard bad things about the travel versions, though, so maybe be wary.
- If it's someone you don't frequently meet but are close to, and if they're more of a casual drinker, then a date of sorts to a good cafe, where you try different beverages and talk and catch up.