We’ve made quite a list of “best-ofs” for our Holiday Gift Guide 2021, but this time, it's personal. If you’ve still got a coffee lover on your list this holiday season, why not check out some of our staff’s personal favorite items from this year. From branded shirts to espresso machines, we run the gamut from fun to functional, so check it out!
Renée: Fuego Coffee Roasters Crewneck
“I was already a fan of Rochester’s coffee scene before joining the team at Whole Latte Love. When we launched our apparel collection there were more than a few worthy contenders, but when you own as many graphic tees as I do, you have to be discerning. Black and long sleeves for winter and supporting locals? I'm in!"
Come for the Coffee, Stay for the Community
Perfect for colder climates like Fuego and Whole Latte Love’s hometown of Rochester NY, the Fuego Coffee Roasters Crewneck lets you show your love for Fuego while keeping your arms warm. Featuring an artistic rendition of Fuego’s logo, this shirt is both subtle and stylish
100% Cotton
AJ: Rocket Espresso Appartamento
“I’ve learned more than a lot about espresso in my time at Whole Latte Love, including which products stand out from the crowd. This is the perfect machine for someone looking to graduate from the ‘entry-level.’ The Appartamento’s performance is matched only by its impeccable style.”
Compact, Stylish, Sexy
The dapper Rocket Appartamento Serie Nera features a heat exchange boiler, temperature stable E61 group head, and integrated dual pre-infusion system. Its large 1.8 L reservoir and powerful steam pressure are now available in timeless black housing.
Kayla: JURA ENA 8
“I don’t have a ton of room in my kitchen so it’s great that this machine doesn’t eat my entire countertop. Making drinks is basically pushing a button and then bliss a moment later. Definitely get the Smart Connect and the J.O.E. app with Siri integration. I was like ‘Finally! An espresso machine that’s almost as cool as I am!’”
Impeccable Asymmetrical Design
JURA's remarkable ENA 8 is a compact home espresso machine with a menu of 10 one-touch coffee specialties and an eye-catching asymmetrical design.
Marc: Ceado E5Pro
“Ceado makes excellent grinders and the E5Pro is the best value in their lineup for those not needing timed grinding. The E5Pro features larger 64mm burrs, fantastic build quality, beautiful distribution of clump free grinds, precise stepless grind size adjustment and it works with bottomless portafilters!”
To Grind or Not to Grind
The Ceado E5Pro is an exclusive grinder that was designed for Whole Latte Love to add back the portafilter activated grinding that was absent on the latest version. The E5Pro allows for both push and grind operation with a spouted portafilter, and features a side mounted pulse button to grind for bottomless portafilters.
Jen: Gaggia Cadorna Prestige
“It’s safe to say that more people are ordering in when it comes to coffee these days. That is to say that they’re making it at home! You can make better and cheaper lattes than anything the drive thru gets you. The Cadorna Prestige has so many drink options and everyone in my house has a favorite!”
Quality Meets Convenience at an Unbeatable Price
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige is a remarkable bean-to-cup machine with 14 customizable beverages, the option to create 4 user profiles, and an integrated milk carafe for making top quality milk drinks.
Todd: Profitec Pro 600
“The Pro 600 is the perfect machine if you don’t plan on connecting to a water line. It’s got incredible steam power, precise temperatures, unique design, and proven Profitec engineering. I think that anybody who loves milk drinks and wants precision temperature control will love this machine.”
Incredible Value in Dual Boiler Performance
The Profitec Pro 600 is a dual PID, dual boiler espresso machine with flow control whose performance and modern aesthetic separate it from the crowd.
Nick: Barista Improving Taste
"The addition of the BIT line to our catalog was so exciting to me because for as little as $15, anybody can substantially improve the espresso they're extracting. And, if you really want to go all in, the shower screens and tamper that Sauro designed will further reduce channeling and improve your results in cup."
Baskets and Screens
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The BIT BoB 18g Double Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket that improves the sweetness and boldness of espresso while reducing bitterness.
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The BIT E61 Shower Screen is an Italian made precision shower screen that helps to preserve puck integrity and reduce channeling during espresso extraction thanks to thoughtful placement of surface holes.
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The BIT Renato 18g Double Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket that improves the sweetness and brightness of espresso.
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The BIT BoB 21g Double Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket that improves the sweetness and boldness of espresso while reducing bitterness.
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The BIT Renato 21g Double Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket that improves the sweetness and brightness of espresso.
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The BIT Renato 16g Double Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket that improves the sweetness and brightness of espresso.
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The BIT Renato 90+ Single Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket designed specifically for pulling sweeter, brighter single shots of espresso and is perfect for experimenting with a wide variety of coffees.
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The BIT BoB 10g Single Filter Basket is a precision Italian made, pod focused filter basket that improves the sweetness and boldness of espresso while reducing bitterness.
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The BIT Renato 10g Single Filter Basket is a precision Italian made filter basket designed specifically for pulling sweeter, brighter single shots of espresso with American coffee blends and single-origins.
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The BIT Espresso Tamper is a flat 58.6mm espresso tamper with a tapered edge that was designed in tandem with the unique BoB and Renato filter series and ensures perfect tamping in curved filter baskets.
Tracy: Gaggia Logo Wooden Tamper
“I love this wooden tamper for many reasons! But if I had to name one, it would be how the tone of the wood stands out next to my Blue Gaggia Classic. Using a nice tamper really upgrades your espresso brewing experience. Not to mention it has the Gaggia logo on it so you know it's been built to last!”
Tamping the Day Away
An elegant upgrade to your Gaggia Classic Pro's tamper, the Gaggia Logo Wooden Tamper features a soft Ashwood handle and flat stainless steel base for comfortable and precise tamping.
Summary
That's our list! What do you think? Did we miss any machines or accessories you can't imagine your 2021 without? We would love to hear them and why! Make sure to follow us on social media to stay engaged and share your feedback with us: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.