The bean scene

I hate to think what office productivity statistics would look like if coffee were banned for a week. Certainly this magazine wouldn’t be printed, as we are proud to continue the time-honoured journalistic tradition of caffeine addiction. I went on a mission to find the best coffee machines and coffee to fill them with. For the home or office, for those on a budget or those who want to splurge on the shiniest and fanciest machine out there — here they are.

MACHINES
Microbar by Nuova Simonelli I could talk about how compact and easy to use the Microbar by Nuova Simonelli is, but really the selling point is it uses fresh milk and fresh coffee beans, ensuring that the end product tastes just like a coffee you would get in a café. Available: www.coffeesystems.co.nz or through their showroom in Mays Road, Onehunga RRP: $4485	Jura Impressa S9 One Touch Your coffee-loving employees will love the Jura Impressa S9 One Touch and will love you for getting it. Gone are the days of a choice between black or white coffee, this machine makes both cappuccinos and latte macchiatos. Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $3999
Jura Impressa Z5 Sleek, simple and Swiss-made, this machine has fancy technology but isn’t in your face about it. For example, its active bean monitoring system gets rid of empty coffee grinders and half-empty coffee cups because it tells you in good time when you need to refill the bean container. Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $4999	Vibiemme DOMObar Super Really impress your friends with this Italian coffee machine by making them hot drinks that seem like they’re from a café. With a steam wand so you can make lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates. Available: www.coffeefix.co.nz RRP: $3210
DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima This machine is a steal at only $744. It may be relatively inexpensive but it uses fresh milk (not powdered) and the Nespresso capsule system, so it’s easy to use. And while it might cost well under a grand, it doesn’t look cheap. Available: Harvey Norman RRP: $744	Sunbeam Café Latte The bargain basement price doesn’t mean there’s no frills to this machine. Its LCD indicator tells you the status of the water temperature and the best time for coffee making or creating steam for texturing milk. Available: Harvey Norman RRP: $249
BEANS
Upshot Upshot was introduced to me by a friend who I have known for ten years and have never seen go longer than a few hours without a cup of coffee, so I took her word for it that it was good. After one sip I was as hooked as she was. Upshot uses only fair trade organic beans, roasted daily in their small premise in Heathcote, Christchurch. Tangy and strong, you will smell this coffee as soon as you pick up the bag. Available: www.fairtradeorganiccoffee.co.nz RRP: $10 for 250 grams	People’s Coffee Sold in every so-trendy-it-hurts café in Wellington, People’s Coffee is as unique as it is delicious. For them, fair trade is more than a logo — the People’s Coffee staff have travelled to Columbia, Peru and Ethiopia to meet the growers they buy from. Available: www.peoplescoffee.co.nz RRP: $10-$11 for 250 grams
C4 Another Christchurch roastery punching above its weight with sharp, tangy and delicious offerings. Buy single blends or their special creations. I highly recommend Krank for the perfect espresso. Available: www.c4.co.nz RRP: $9 for 250 grams