Foodie Gift Ideas: Top 10 Coffee, Tea, and Yerba Mate Gifts

by Huggingthecoast.Com | December 11, 2008 at 03:02 pm

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If you drink coffee, tea, or yerba mate regularly (or know someone who does), you’ll enjoy this list that features some of the most useful and interesting gadgets and products we’ve come across on the topic.

1. Primula Stainless Steel & Glass 8 Cup French Press & Mug Gift Set

Fans of the French press theory of coffee making will love this sleek and sophisticated five piece coffee serving set (4 coffee glasses plus a coordinating stainless steel and glass French press coffee maker).

The included French press makes up to eight cups of coffee, yielding approximately 4 large cups of coffee for your guests.

More About the French Press Theory of Coffee Making:

After a lifetime of using a traditional electric coffeemaker, I started using a the French press method of coffee making 3 years ago when I was looking for a portable, non-electric way to brew coffee while backpacking and RVing.

Since then, I now make most of my coffee using a French press (also known as a coffee plunger, press pot, or cafetiere), preferring the richer, more aromatic coffee yielded by this method.

Unlike most traditional electric coffee makers, you don’t need to use paper filters when making coffee this way, as the coffee is filtered by the plunger cap itself.

Here’s a video showing how the French press method works, which you can see here.

Also, INeedCoffee.Com has a nice French press brewing FAQ and tutorial here.

2. Liquid Solutions Tea-zer Tea Brewing Tumbler With Infuser Basket

Featuring a removable and easy to clean stainless steel basket, this travel cup works equally well for the modern loose tea or yerba mate drinker who wants to take their favorite beverage with them wherever they travel.

If you’re a yerba mate drinker, you’ll appreciate the ease and convenience of this stylish update of the traditional takeout cup.

While there are many products like this designed for the regular coffee drinker, it’s nice to see something just as convenient for fans of tea or mate. Comes in clear or red.

3. Ceramic New York (We Are Happy to Serve You) Coffee Cup

If you’ve ever lived in or visited New York City, you’ve probably seen the original paper version of this Greek diner themed We Are Happy To Serve You takeout coffee cup.

Now available in durable ceramic from the founder of the environmentally friendly design group, Exceptionlab, this cup is a great way to celebrate the energy of NYC in the comfort of your home.

Manufactured of lead-free earthenware, the cups are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Under Development: a durable porcelain base and silicone lid version of the popular white styrofoam to go cup called I Am Not a Paper Cup.

4. Tea Stick Infuser

Made of stainless steel and plastic, to use this tea infuser all you have to do is to fill the wand with your favorite loose tea and swirl in a cup of hot water.

Dishwasher safe.

5. Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle (1.75-qt.)

Looks like a traditional stove top kettle but with a twist…it’s actually an electric kettle.

Long popular with England’s tea drinkers for its ability to boil water significantly faster than traditional kettles that heat water on the stove top, I’ve gotten hooked on using my electric kettle to boil water for tea, French press coffee, yerba mate (just let the water sit to cool for a few minutes so you don’t pour it in too soon after boiling), and hot cocoa.

Made of stainless steel, the Cuisinart Traditional Cordless Electric Kettle automatically shuts off when the water comes to a boil so there’s no need for a whistle as well and has a concealed heating element to prevent calcium buildup.

6. Ultimate Bombilla

Perfect for the yerba mate drinker that doesn’t always use a traditional mate (gourd cup) and silver bombilla, this specially designed plastic straw has a filter on the end that works similarly to a traditionally bombilla yet fits in almost any cup or mug.

The strainer has a very high mesh screen that will not stop up or allow leaves to get through and a brass weight on the bottom to keep it in place. The straw can be easily cut it down to your favorite size.

Dishwasher Safe. Comes in a rainbow of colors. 9 inches long.

7. Planetary Design Double Shot Travel French Press Mug

Perfect for streamlined French press fans who want to make their own coffee anytime, anywhere (the office, conferences, camping, etc.) this insulated French press mug has extra storage so you can hold extra coffee in it for future cups.

14 oz. capacity. Comes with an additional lid to convert it to conventional mug.

8. Bodum Assam Tea Press with Black Handle

This beautiful yet useful tea press allows you to stylishly steep your favorite loose teas.

The plastic handle is fixed to the heat resistant glass with a special high-tech adhesive to provide a secure and easy grip when pouring your hot, aromatic tea.

Dishwasher safe.

9. Cuisinart DCC-2000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
Dispensing one cup of coffee at a time whenever you need it, this is a programmable 12-cup electric coffeemaker that you can set to automatically start brewing coffee when first you get up.

The easy-to-read coffee gauge counts down cups remaining.

Measures 14-1/2 by 9 by 8-1/2 inches.

10. Frieling Stainless-Steel 35-Ounce French Press

With its minimalistic lines and mirror finish exterior, this Frieling Stainless-Steel 35-Ounce French Press is perhaps the most visually striking French press I have ever seen.

Best of all, the carafe itself doubles as insulated serving pitcher.

9 inches tall; body has a 4-inch diameter.

More Holiday Gift Recommendations for Foodies on NowPublic: