Coffee. Gotta love it. It takes on so many variations in taste. I swear I have a hard time reproducing the same cup twice. I think I’ve got my grinder and $20 coffee maker dialed in to the point where I can make a good cup about 75% of the time. The age and quality of the bean is the variable that I sometimes miss. If it’s on the grocer shelf too long in the bulk dispenser, the oxygen reacts with it and gives it an off taste. Lately I’ve been timing my coffee purchases well and have been producing some quality brew. Too bad I couldn’t take the satisfaction of a rich, naturally sweet coffee on the road with me. But wait, it’s now possible... with a bike pump!!
Ok, it’s no bike pump, but it sure looks like one, and shares some similar parts. The Handpresso is a tool that allows you to take your need for the perfect coffee anywhere. And not just any old coffee. I mean, instant and drip coffee are pretty easy to reproduce just about anywhere with some hot water a filter and a cup. But, when I’m damp and cold, sitting at an even more damp and colder picnic table while waiting for my socks to dry on the campfire there’s nothing I want more than the exquisite taste of a hot, freshly made Americano. The Handpresso is the solution, allowing you to make espresso shots in the woods! Or on the bus! Or in bed! Here’s how it works. The bike pump design allows you to pump up the internal cylinder with air. This air is what will force the water through the coffee grounds at high pressure. The system comes with a small reusable filter that is big enough to produce one shot of espresso. Tamping the coffee well is key and somewhat of an art. The filter is mesh with a plastic body. Conventional espresso machines have a perforated aluminum filter for the coffee, so it’s easy to tamp the coffee properly. You need to spend a little time with the Handpresso to get it right. Using the backside of the handle as a tamp works decently but is not perfect. Ideally the filter and the handle would share the same diamter. I think this is one area in the product’s design that could use improvement. Because the handle is slightly smaller, it takes time and patience to get the coffee to the ideal firmness in the filter. Ideally, when you press the trigger to force the water through the coffee, it should take 15-20 seconds for the water to pass through completely. Any air gaps or softness in the coffee puck will allow the water to pass through too quickly, making for a weak espresso shot. Thankfully, if you have the patience to play around with your technique a little and you will discover the perfect shot. I assume that someone who would purchase this product loves good coffee and the coffee making process, and is more than willing to spend some time perfecting the art of the Handpresso shot.
There is a line of Handpresso accessories that compliment the product quite well. I like the rigid carrying case, which allows you to pack away this compact coffee tool and keep it protected during travel. At work we recently received a Handpresso for staff use. It’s usually booked out, for good reason.
The Handpresso - ~$115, avalilable at MEC
Integrity 5 / 5 - This thing is not a gimmick. Well designed, sturdy and built to last.
Value: 4 / 5 - A little pricey, but worth every penny if you’re an outdoors person who loves good coffee.
Overall value: 4.5 / 5 - They need to either make the handle and filter a perfect fit or make a separate tamper that does the trick.
The Handpresso - ~$115, avalilable at MEC
Integrity 5 / 5 - This thing is not a gimmick. Well designed, sturdy and built to last.
Value: 4 / 5 - A little pricey, but worth every penny if you’re an outdoors person who loves good coffee.
Overall value: 4.5 / 5 - They need to either make the handle and filter a perfect fit or make a separate tamper that does the trick.
