The Coffee Experience

This alarm clock/coffee brewer combo is a reminder that coffee is still the best way to wake up in the morning.

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When Coldplay’s Viva la Vida came out, I loved the title song. I loved it so much, in fact, that I decided it would be a great idea to wake up to it every morning. After about a month, I hated Viva la Vida. I still jolt into a post-sleep scare whenever my ears pick up the now haunting intro strings. Surely there has to be a better way to wake up.

Designer Josh Renouf has been making news in a big way over the last week because of his newest creation: the Barisieur.

IMG_0427_2The Barisieur is an alarm clock and coffee brewer. It eases the user into the day with the subtle movement of stainless steel ballbearings that boil the water through induction heating, accompanied by the smell of freshly brewed coffee. It encourages a ritual before going to sleep, signalling to the body and mind that it is time to unwind and relax. Living slow even when times are fast.

The Barisieur looks exactly like what I would want an alarm-clock-turned-automagic-coffee maker to look. Sleek. Sexy. Like it belongs in George Jetson’s home if he moved to Portland, Oregon and wore flannel scarves to work every day.

The method behind the Barisieur is fairly simple: you load up the coffee contraption before heading to bed, then set the alarm. When you wake up, a piping hot cup of freshly brewed pour-over coffee is ready for you. The setup even includes a milk container and a drawer for grounds and sugar.

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I’m not sure I’d ever purchase the Barisieur, mainly because I enjoy the full ritual of brewing coffee too much. That said, I certainly approve of the form-factor and the heart behind this invention. Even if I did want one, unfortunately they aren’t for sale – yet. Renouf’s website says that when it launches, the Barisieur will retail for between $250-$420. Quite a price spread for something that may end up ruining your bed sheets if you’re inclined to an early morning arm stretch.

Keep your eyes peeled and your wallets waiting if you want the Barisieur when it comes out. My sincere hope is that this never turns into someone’s Viva la Vida.

Until it debuts, why not pick up an Aeropress for 1/8th of the price?

The Coffee Guy

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Colin Harmon’s Story and 3FE

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Special thanks to DCILY for bringing this video to my attention.

3FE (3rd Floor Espresso) is a Dublin-based coffee company founded by Colin Harmon. His story, featured in the video below, is as wild as it is wonderful and it shows how passion and fulfillment beat money every time. Colin’s enthusiasm is palpable and illustrates how the complete coffee process is equal parts art and science. Check it out.

The Coffee Guy

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Starbucks isn’t the devil. But it is a giant waste of money.

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If you quit Starbucks for a year, you’ll have enough savings to buy an iPad. Let’s do some simple math.

As I’ve talked to people about my upcoming book, the line I often start with is “did you know you can actually save money by drinking better coffee?” If this doesn’t catch their attention, my next line always does. “All you have to do is stop drinking Starbucks or K-Cups, and start brewing your own.” Insulting popular brands is a sure-fire way to turn heads, at least from their devout.

Starbucks Sucks Van

But it’s true, and the math behind it isn’t hard at all. In this post I want to focus in on Starbucks coffee. Keep in mind that this same thought process applies to all chain coffee places (I’m looking at you Dunkin Donuts, with your $1.50 small brewed coffee). The price isn’t the issue here, the value is. If you want cheap bad coffee, look no further than your coffee aisle at the supermarket; I’m sure Folgers or Maxwell House will gladly take your money. If you want expensive bad coffee, chain coffee will run your wallet dry. Here’s what I mean.

First, we’ll assume that you drink 5 cups of coffee per week (you’ll need sleep at some point). Given that there are about 52 weeks in a year, that means you’ll consume about 260 cups of coffee per year. At Starbucks, a brewed coffee is about $2, depending on size. Remember, this isn’t one of the fru-fru fancy drinks – it’s just your run-of-the-mill black brewed coffee. At this price point, you’ll be spending $520 per year on coffee.

Now let’s look at specialty coffee. We’ll start with a 12oz bag of coffee for $14 (this and this are two good examples). A 12oz bag of coffee converts to about 340 grams. Using an AeroPress brewer, you’ll need about 15 grams of coffee per cup, depending on brew method, which translates to about 22 cups per bag of coffee. If we take the 260 cups per year that we used earlier and divide it by 22 cups per bag, it comes out to 12, 12oz bags of specialty coffee per year. At $14 per bag, this means you’ll spend $168 per year on some of the best coffee money can buy.

savings quoteWithout considering any other factors, that’s a savings of $352 per year. If you need to purchase an AeroPress, decent grinder, and hot water heater, ($26, $25.43, $14.73 respectively), you’ll still save $285.84 that year. Did you know that an iPad mini costs $299? Quit Starbucks, and you’ll be able to buy an iPad with the money you saved. Or go have a shopping spree at your local Dollar Store. Whatever you want.

But what about all those Starbucks gift cards you have laying around from Christmas or your birthday? Turns out, Tonx will let you exchange them for credit towards buying beans. Now you truly have no excuse.

My upcoming book, The Beginner’s Guide to Excellent Coffee, is all about this kind of thinking. How can you save money by drinking better coffee? Turns out, it’s not as hard as a lot of people think. Please sign up for my email list below, and I’ll send you deals, news about my book, and interesting tid-bits about coffee about once a week. Also, please share my book’s landing page with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks!

Colin

P.S. Here’s my AeroPress brew method if you’re just getting started.

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