If you’re the only coffee drinker in your household, then you’ve likely searched high and low for solutions to make the perfect single-serving coffee. Fortunately, there are a whole range of coffee maker solutions for coffee lovers to make that morning cuppa at home, from individual-size French presses to pour-overs to pod machines that use capsules.
Here are our picks for the best single-serve coffee makers available in South Africa.
French Press coffee maker
When you’re looking to make a small amount of coffee regularly, experts agree: A French press is the way to go. It’s an easy, inexpensive, consistent method; it produces very little waste; and you only need two pieces of equipment aside from the coffee itself: a French press and a kettle to boil water. It’s not difficult to store, and it’s easy to use – just pour hot water over ground coffee, let it brew for a few minutes, then lower the plunger.
Pair your plunger with a coffee grinder so you can purchase whole beans (though it works with pre-ground coffee too if that’s your style). You can choose from several sizes, though you can make a small amount of coffee in a larger French press by adjusting the water and grounds.
Besides its versatility, a French press is durable and unfussy. It doesn’t need paper filters, which is one less thing to buy and dispose of, and whenever you use it you can put most of the parts in the dishwasher once you clean out the grounds. Opt for a glass carafe to ensure it doesn’t crack under high heat.
Moka Pot stovetop espresso maker
Many coffee lovers are Moka Pot evangelists and will easily list all of its virtues — from the joy of the ritual of making coffee with it to its ease of use. This little appliance takes the guesswork out of making a quality cup — and, for many coffee lovers, it tastes far better than the stuff a standard coffee maker produces. It’s also loved for its ability to make stronger coffee than a pour-over setup by using steam to push hot water through the coffee grounds with one to two bars of pressure. It’s also compact enough to easily tuck away, even in a small apartment, and is an inexpensive alternative to fancy coffee machines.
Pour-over single-serve coffee maker
If you prefer more control over your brew and don’t mind exercising some patience, the best way to make a small amount of pour-over is with a pour-over coffee maker. It’s great because you can make as much or as little coffee as you want. These pour-over coffee makers usually come in ten- and three-cup versions if you’re looking for more or less capacity. Most do doe require filters, but if you don’t want to deal with paper, there’s also the option to purchase a reusable metal one.
PriceCheck tip: Some bean-to-cup machines don’t come with a built-in milk frother. However, you can purchase a standalone milk frother to ensure your cappuccinos and lattes have hot and foamy milk ready to go! The Russell Hobbs milk frother is a great affordable option. Find the best price here.
Aeropress coffee and espresso maker
A French Press on steroids, this little device is a coffee lover’s dream. The Aeropress comes recommended by coffee experts for when you want the option of coffee or espresso on the go or at home. You can easily make yourself an Americano or a latte, or just a tasty cup of coffee. And if you’re sensitive to the acidity in coffee that comes from brewing in a French press, then it’s an excellent option.
The Aeropress also has the advantage of being a highly portable coffee maker, since it’s made of food-safe plastic and silicone, and even comes with a handy tote bag. The AeroPress is a good option for travel brewing. If you want a professional-style kit then put together a travel kit that includes a digital scale and thermos to pour the water with, but once you are familiar with the method you can still brew a decent cup by eye. They are also nearly indestructible with their only drawback being they produce 250ml of coffee maximum per brew.
Pod machine
Many coffee fans swear by their Nespresso coffee pod machines. Despite having the option of all kinds of coffee-making paraphernalia the classic coffee pod machine is the one many people keep going back to because it delivers consistently excellent espresso without having to deal with the expense and finickiness of bigger, more complicated coffee machines. Whether you’re after a Nespresso machine that comes with a milk frother or a smaller mini machine that takes up much less room; there’s a machine to fit your coffee-making style.
The downside is the single-use pods, but Nespresso offers a recycling program. So as long as you’re willing to pop into your nearest Nespresso store or kiosk at the mall on occasion, it’s less of a waste producer than many other pod machines.
