Underscored Explores is an original video series that probes interesting subcultures and hobbies. We’re on a mission to share the stories of the passionate individuals who help these hobbies thrive and bring you the product recommendations only the truly obsessed can provide.
There are few things as cherished and beloved around the world as coffee. Whether you’re brewing it or buying it, we know everyone has their own opinions about what makes a great cup of joe. And, we also know that some mean serious business when it comes to sourcing, creating and truly appreciating all that the world of coffee has to offer. As part of our Underscored Explores video series, we set out to explore the eclectic and exciting coffee culture in our backyard of New York City.
From roasteries in Brooklyn to barista classes in Queens, family-owned stores in iconic Manhattan neighborhoods and even a street-side coffee cart, we set out to meet the individuals that make up the mosaic of NYC’s coffee scene. Along the way, we asked these expert roasters, baristas and coffee shop owners to share their product recommendations for stepping up your coffee game at home. Plus, we’ve added some of our best tested and Underscored-favorite coffee gear as well.
Coffee beans
“Your most important thing, honestly, is selecting a bean that you enjoy,” says Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project New York. If you’re not sure what kind of beans or roast you like, strike up a conversation with your local barista. “A lot of the time, we want to have that conversation,” says Teoh. “We want to tell you about the coffee that we’re excited to carry.” Or if you’re in the mood to be surprised by something new, try Coffee Project New York’s monthly subscription featuring their roaster’s favorite single-origin coffee.
Another way to figure out what you like — try a bunch of different coffees. This tasting kit of Alma coffees is designed to let you do just that, featuring seven different roasts ranging from a bright roast to an extra dark one all with different profiles so you can discover your new favorite flavor.
Roasted in Brooklyn, New York, Parlor Coffee has a range of staple blends and seasonal single-origin beans from farms in Mexico, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Brazil. This set features Parlor’s two flagship blends: Prospect and Wallabout. One with warm toffee and chocolate notes and the other is a brighter, more floral flavor that’s perfect for comparing at home.
Celebrate the legacy of New York City’s own Porto Rico Importing Co. with this 100th Anniversary coffee, which features a blend of six different coffee beans roasted to a “full city" or about a medium roast, for your sipping pleasure.
Sampling coffee from your favorite local shops is also a good place to start training your tastebuds. Blue Bottle’s coffee is our pick for the best coffee subscription, but if you want to start with a single bag first, this dark roast is perfect for those who tend to like a sweeter-tasting cup. With notes of cocoa, toasted marshmallow and graham cracker, this blend works great for your daily morning cup or as your afternoon cold brew pick-me-up.
Coffee profiles vary from region to region, so if you want to venture into a new taste, try looking for coffee from a new area of the world. “If you like a fruity profile, get something from the African region,” says Teoh. “Something that’s nuttier or more spice notes? Something from the American region. Something with more acidity? Something from the Asian region.” Sourced from the Huai Chomphu region of Thailand, this medium-acidity coffee has notes of strawberry, cherry, green pear and black tea.
Coffee makers
Founder of Parlor Coffee, Dillon Edwards, likes the Moccamaster for his home use, explaining that the machine brings the water up to almost a full boil before it hits the coffee grounds. Despite the higher price and small learning curve, we found the Moccamaster to be an entrancing machine that also brews exceptional coffee. Edwards also likes that, unlike smaller coffee makers, the Moccamaster brews enough coffee for the whole family to enjoy.
For those looking to hone their barista skills, Chi Sum Ngai, co-founder of Coffee Project New York, recommends an espresso machine that’s not fully automatic so you can practice controlling the timing of your brew by starting and stopping the machine manually. We like this Gaggia machine, which lacks the bells and whistles of more modern espresso makers, but is a great, simple tool for coffee hobbyists to practice with.
When Peter Longo, owner of Porto Rico Importing Co., wants a drip-style coffee, he reaches for the Chemex. While Longo admits that the pour-over process is a bit more laborious than an automatic drip machine, he prefers the quality of the Chemex cup when he’s not in the mood for an espresso. A bonus? The Chemex’s sleek design won’t cramp the style of your kitchen either.
Our best-tested preference for pour-over makers is this Kalita Wave dripper. In addition to the flat-bottom design which led to more even brewing, our tester also liked that the Kalita brewer was beginner-friendly and brewed quickly while keeping the temperature nice and hot.
Compatible with both wave and conical style filters, the Origami dripper not only makes great coffee, it's also a beautiful addition to any home coffee bar or station. This dripper is also designed to be durable, which makes it great for camping trips or taking on the go. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
A favorite among coffee pros and home java drinkers, the Aeropress is a staple for brewing tasty coffee in a quick, no-fuss device. This clear version comes in seven tints and will give you all the visual satisfaction you crave while pressing out your home brew.
Coffee gear
Once you’ve got your beans, you’ll need a way to grind them up. Every roaster we talked to recommended a grinder for upgrading your home setup. Edwards specifically recommends getting a Burr grinder. While a bit pricer than other electric grinders, Edwards explains that Burr grinders help break up the beans into a more even particle size. This helps the coffee grounds get more properly extracted so you’re left with nothing but a clear and clean-tasting cup of joe. With over 40 grind settings and straightforward controls, this Baratza Virtuoso+ grinder also happens to be our best-tested pick.
If you’re not ready to drop $250 on a grinder yet, grab this Bodum Bistro grinder for under $100. Our pick for the best affordable coffee grinder, this Bodum machine comes with 12 adjustable grind settings, which makes it great for the amateur at-home barista who's looking to up their game.
Filters are essential if you want to drip your coffee pour-over style. These Sibarist filters are a favorite at Coffee Project New York, with Ngai explaining that the thickness of the filter changes how the coffee is extracted. Thicker filters, like these ones, help create a slower flow of water, which helps create a more even extraction of the grounds and produces a smoother, more well-balanced cup of coffee.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option for daily use, these Kalita filters are designed to fit perfectly in the brand’s pour-over model.
If you want to perfect your award-winning latte art, a frothing and pouring jug will help you expertly create milk designs. This stainless steel jug from coffee powerhouse De’Longhi is made in Italy and makes a great companion if you already have a home espresso maker with a milk-steaming attachment.
With coffee, a few grams can make all the difference in how your brew tastes. To keep all your measurements and recipes consistent and get the same great taste cup after cup, Ngai recommends grabbing a scale. This one from Greater Goods is designed specifically for pour-overs and even includes a timer for perfectly gauging your brew.