gift guide: coffee + tea lovers

FEW THINGS inspire as much passion and joy on a daily basis in SO many people than a piping hot cup of coffee or tea. Whether it’s in a styrofoam cup from the Dunkin’ drive through or made with near-surgical precision in your own kitchen, those first sips are pure magic. Which is probs why people have NFL-style love for their hot brew of choice. It brings friends, family and colleagues together. It’s the one self-care ritual that almost everyone makes time for. It gives space for people to seriously nerd out. And it just brings a lot of happiness. So naturally, all of the beautiful things out there to support these habits make really fantastic gifts.

I AM an all-day tea drinker. I love it hot or iced, morning and night. My husband has been intrigued by and tried just about every coffee-making method out there, from pour-over to stovetop to french pressing on the side of a river, so collectively we’ve tested out a lot of awesome products. You can shop this guide for Coffee Lovers or Tea Lovers and by Things Both Can Agree Are Awesome [click these links to jump to a section]. I have also included a few of My Favorite Ceramicists whose mugs would make a really gorgeous gift. I love functional art and there’s nothing more meaningful than seeing [and drinking out of] something each morning that reminds you of someone special. So make yourself a hot cup of something, settle in and enjoy. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Brands I Love: Fellow

I LOVE nothing more than a truly brilliant intersection of form + function. It’s just a beautiful thing when something works like a dream and is also stunning to look at. And Fellow has absolutely nailed both. They’re self-proclaimed ‘coffee nerds’ and work tirelessly to create products that fully maximize the coffee-drinking experience for everyone from beginners to award-winning baristas. Their Stagg EKG Electric Kettle and the new, even more geeked-out Pro version, has reached near-cult status for pour-over lovers, earning high marks for its super dialed features and its stunning design, which comes in at least 13 different colors [I’m kind of obsessed with the Corvo EKG Electric Kettle for my all-day tea drinking, too, it’s absolutely gorgeous]. And their Ode Brew Grinder won the Specialty Coffee Association’s Best New Product Award for 2021. Fellow also carefully curates a really special selection of the best in small-batch coffee from around the country to create ‘Your Dream Coffee Aisle.’ Pair a few bags with a Carter Move Mug [LOVE love mine] for a fantastic gift for any serious ‘coffee nerd’ or casual coffee drinker you love.

Gifts for Coffee Lovers

~ The **VSSL Java Coffee Grinder** is perfect for your die-hard, adventure-loving coffee nerds. It’s a burr grinder with 50 unique settings to get everything just right for your brew. It’s incredibly durable (made with aircraft grade aluminum) and also super lightweight. Pair it with the popular and compact Aeropress GO and you are set up for a great morning, either in the far reaches of the wild or your backyard. **~ $160**

~ Give your java lovers their morning coffee in a totally different form with **Palermo’s Coffee Body Scrub.** All of Palermo’s gorgeous body products are made in Brooklyn with completely natural ingredients. The smell of this scrub is just divine. **~ $56**

~ Aside from looking like a stunning piece of art, the classic glass **Chemex Drip Coffee Maker** is lauded for producing a super clear, pure and not-bitter cup of pour-over coffee. Make sure to use the Chemex Filters for optimum function and flavor. It’s also kind of mesmerizing to watch, so you get a little meditation in, too. **~ $49.95**

~ Skip all of those little cans of cold brew and make your own with this innovative, pretty and super easy to use **Hario Cold Brew Coffee Bottle.** Just pop in the grounds and water, put it in the fridge overnight and let the special design work its magic to make your perfect morning cup. It comes in 6 pretty colors, too. **~ $21.50**

~ Ooh I love a functional art piece. These pretty **Ceramic Spoons** are handmade in NC and come in lots of pretty glazes. They’re the perfect addition to your coffee-making ritual and would be such a beautiful gift. **~ $18**

~ This little **AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press** has a bit of a cult following in the outdoor world [and almost 8000 5-star reviews]. It’s an all-in press, mug and lid in-one that’s super compact for traveling. Its rapid-immersion method brews hot [or cold], smooth, not-bitter coffee in one minute and takes a fraction of that to clean. And it’s made in the USA. YES. My husband is obsessed with his and says it makes THE best cup of coffee. The AeroPress Original is also wildly popular if you want a version made for home use **~ $39.95**

~ **Aerolatte’s Steam-Free Frother** will give you perfectly frothed milk of any kind without any cords or a big ol’ espresso machine. It’s portable, battery-operated and froths in 60 seconds or less. **~ $29.99**

~ Learn how to artfully combine two decadent favorites with **The Art & Craft of Coffee Cocktails.** It teaches readers a bit about craft coffee and has more than 75 recipes for all kinds of cocktails, from classics to new soon-to-be favorites. **~ $16.99**

~ My husband loves his **Breville Bambino** for starting each morning with a coffee shop-quality cappuccino with almond milk. The Bambino is super compact [my favorite part], easy to clean and consistent. It’s designed to pre-infuse the grounds for more even extraction, giving you a super rich cup every time. **~ $299.95**

~ One of my favorite ceramicists, **Linda Hsiao of Knotwork LA,** hand-sculpts the most awesome ‘bird’ series of Pitchers and Creamers. Each one is completely unique and they all just make me smile. They would be a such a special gift. **~ from $48**

~ Italian’s have been using the iconic **Bialetti Espresso Maker** since 1930 and the Moka’s 2-part stovetop design still produces perfect, rich espresso. Several friends [and apparently 90% of Italians] swear by this low-tech, super high performing classic. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and comes in several pretty colors sizes from 3-12 cups. **~ from $34.95**

~ The perfect little hand-held burr grinder for home or travel, the **Hario Skerton Pro Manual Coffee Grinder** will yield precise, uniform grinds in a full range of sizes. My boys love cranking this thing, it’s like a little morning workout. **~ $60**

~ Save a trip to the coffee shop by making your own fancy barista drinks at home with this **Breville Milk Cafe Electric Milk Frother.** It uses induction heat to make the perfect bubbly froth with any milk you choose and has an auto shut-off when the milk is done. You can also use it for hot chocolate and chai. Yum. **~ $159.95**

~ The **Hario Original V60 Pour Over Dripper** has been carefully and intentionally designed to make the perfect cup. The 100-year-old Japanese company has strategically designed the Dripper with a 60 degree cone angle and special curved ridges for smooth flow and optimum filter grip, coming together to produce a super delicious cup of coffee. Plus it takes only 3 minutes to brew and I love the peaceful, minimalist, analog process. **~ from $25**

~ **The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing** is a super comprehensive guide to all things coffee, from the most famous coffee growing regions of the world to detailed brewing techniques. Written by James Hoffman, a coffee expert and award-winning barista, this book provides your coffee nerd next-level beta to fuel their passion and perfect their craft. **~ $39.95**

~ Spoil your coffee-lover with the gift of never running out of their favorite beans with a subscription to a local or loved roaster. **Ampersand Coffee Roasters** in Boulder is organic, fair trade and supports women’s empowerment, making your gift even more impactful. **~ from $60**

Brands I Love: Caraway

I HAVE been searching far and wide for a looong time for a non-toxic stovetop tea kettle that I’m excited to have as part of my everyday decor and Caraway has finally totally nailed it. The stunning new Whistling Tea Kettle is stainless steel, so nothing grody gets in your water, but the beautiful outer shell is ceramic, which allows it to come in 7 REALLY pretty colors. I had an impossible time deciding on a one [obvs not my strength], but ultimately chose Mist and it is such a pretty + stylish addition to my kitchen. It makes me smile every time I see it. The handle gets a wee bit hot, so Caraway includes an equally stylish mitt to keep your hands safe. It’s all delivered in a super elegant, well-designed package, making it just perfect for gifting.

Gifts for Tea Lovers

~ Take your tea or matcha-lover’s ritual to the next level with a stunning handmade **Tea Bowl.** The beautiful bowl is made by Koide Studio in Berkely and comes in several different gorgeous styles and glazes. She has loads of other really pretty bowls, mugs and tea sets, too. **~ from $45**

~ You’ll feel super fancy with this **Degenne Salam Insulated Teapot** inspired in 1953 by Bedouin style pots. It’s a French-designed porcelain pot with a removable aluminum infuser, which is all lovely, but the real kicker is the felt-lined stainless steel cover that insulates the pot and keeps your tea warm for up to an hour, so you can enjoy [or share] all 34 oz of liquid gold. It comes in 9 pretty colors, too. **~ from $164**

~ **Soul Chai** in Portland, OR makes sustainable, small-batch chai powder with an intentional focus on the soulful spices. It has no milk or sugar, so you can blend it just the way you like it, plus the powder makes it super portable. There’s a spicy Masala Chai and a decaf Rooibos Masala Chai, both delivered in a gorgeous 40-serving tin perfect for gifting. **~ from $19.50**

~ A kettle so nice, I’m mentioning it twice. I obsessed over this **Fellow Corvo Electric Kettle** for a looong time before receiving it as a gorgeous gift and it does NOT disappoint. Aside from being super beautiful, it’s also perfectly functional. It has easy temp control, heats quickly, shuts off automatically after 15 minutes. And it is SO pretty. Add a Carter Move Mug and drag your perfect tea with you anywhere. **~ $195**

~ If your tea-lover also enjoys gardening, **Homegrown Tea** will teach them how to plant, harvest and dry their own tea blends, whether they have a whole garden or a kitchen ledge. It has information on the benefits of each plant, too. **~ $24.99**

~ If you like your tea with a little drip of honey, this pretty ceramic **Honey Jar** will keep it easy to access and beautiful to look at. It's handmade in small batches in PA and would make a really special gift. **~ $54**

~ Try your tea in a totally new way with **Tea Drops.** They’re wee little bundles of tightly packed organic tea leaves that brew in seconds with no messy bag and no need for a steeping basket. They come in lots of varieties and are super convenient on-the-go. Note that this is not ‘instant’ tea, so there will be a few leaves floating around in the finished product that you can drink up or strain out if you’d rather. Super clever. **~ from $16.99**

~ Gift your tea lover a new perspective on their favorite brew with a little selection of gorgeous **Floral Blooming Tea.** These pretty little balls will ‘blossom’ in hot water, morphing into both a stunning little underwater garden AND a delicious cuppa all in one. They have several ‘flavors’ to choose from, each with different benefits. **~ $24.99**

~ Fans of loose leaf tea can enjoy the convenience of a perfect cuppa on the go with **The Tea Spot’s** **Mountain Tea Tumbler** [16oz] or **Ever**e **st Tea Tumbler** [22oz]. They’re both tea-infusing travel mugs that steep your brew while you’re on-the-go or on your way to work and then keep it nice and warm for hours. Pair one with a Loose Leaf Tea Sampler for a really fantastic gift. As a bonus, Tea Spot is a certified B Corp and donates 10% of all sales in-kind to cancer survivors and community wellness programs. **~ $33.95**

~ Oooh I love these pretty **Bombay Juice Glasses,** they’d be just perfect for tea, too. They’re hand-blown with such delicate detail and come in 5 different pretty colors. ~ **$48**

~ If you’ve ever fumbled around with a sub-par tea infuser, you’ll appreciate this **World Market Loose Leaf Tea Press** as much as I do. It’s the perfect size for one or two and does a fantastic job of straining out the leafy bits. Plus it’s pretty. **~ $19.99**

~ No need to trek to the coffee shop to satisfy your boba obsession with this **Kits by Food Craft Bubble Tea Kit.** It includes everything you need to brew up a perfect glass [actually 5 different flavors of them] of your favorite, plus optional fat reusable straws to slurp it with. I’ve done this with my boys and it was super fun. ~ $45

~ If you love loose-leaf tea, but don’t like all the little bits that those metal balls leave swirling around, try these clever handmade **Organic Cotton Reusable Tea Bags.** They keep even the smallest leaves out of your cup, are easy to clean and are an awesome zero-waste solution. **~ from $4.25**

~ If your tea-lover prefers to keep things icy, try The Tea Spot’s new **Craft Cold Brew Filter.** Fill any wide mouth jar with tea or fruit or whatever you want, pour on cold water and let it chill in the fridge for a bit. Voila! When you’re ready to pour, the Filter perfectly strains out the floaty bits. You can use it for cocktails too, I won’t tell. Brilliant. They have a Cold Brew Tea Sport Bottle, too, if you like to take it on the go. **~ $18.95**

gifts that Tea AND Coffee Lovers agree are awesome

~ Do your brain a favor and replace at least one hot cuppa a day with a **Clevr Blends SuperLatte.** These oat milk-based blends are brimming with adaptogens, mushrooms, probiotics and superfoods to help improve brain function and boost your mood. There are 6 awesome flavors to choose from [my husband loves the Matcha], including one for supporting Sleeptime. They’re dairy + refined sugar free, responsibly sourced and just need water to blend. The **Starter Kit** would be a really beautiful gift for anyone who’d like to add a little delicious healthy boost to their daily routine. They also have non-creamy Super Teas. **~ from $28**

~ Well this is genius. **The Ember Smart Mug** allows you to control the temp on your favorite drink all day long so you never have a tepid cup of tea or coffee [like I do right now]. Use the app to change the temp depending on your drink’s ideal or just set it once to the temp you like best and forget it. It lasts up to 90 minutes on its own or all day on the charger. I got one for my dad for his birthday and he loves it. There are several different colors to choose from, including a few metallics. **~ from $129**

~ Keep drinks super toasty [or freezing] with a beautiful **Fellow Carter Move Mug.** It’s so much more chic than the average industrial travel mug and it comes with a splash guard that keeps you from dribbling all over your clean shirt. I LOVE mine. It comes in 3 sizes and tons of beautiful colors and they have an awesome Artist Series with some really unique designs. **~ from $27.50**

~ **Talking Out of Turn** has a whole collection of adorably-designed glass and ceramic mugs with clever quips on them. Fair warning, some of them would make a sailor blush, but they’re pretty darn funny and a fun gift for those who would appreciate the salty humor. **~ $15**

~ Ok, if you want the Cadillac of airtight storage containers, check out Montana-based **Planetary Designs’ Airscape** **Collection.** It doesn’t just rely on one lid’s seal to do the job, it has a patented plunger lid that forces oxygen out as it’s pushed down onto the contents of the canister. Your precious coffee beans or tea leaves [or grains, nuts, etc…] will be kept pristine, both at home and while traveling. There are a bunch of sizes and colors to choose from and a glass version if you like to see what’s inside. **~ from $19**

~ This **Connected Goods Wild Olive Wood Cream and Sugar Set** is so gorgeous. It’s made by hand in Kenya from scraps of native olive wood that grows in protected areas. It would be a stunning gift or such a pretty addition to your entertaining collection. **~ $42**

~ No matter the season or your activity of choice, everyone needs a **Yeti** for hot drinks on the go and they make awesome gifts. They’ll keep your bev of choice super hot [or super cold] for almost ever and there are loads of sizes, colors and styles to choose from. Bring it tailgating, camping, après skiing, picnicking, horseback riding, soccer-watching or anywhere else you’d love to sip a piping hot cup of your favorite. **~ from $25**

~ **Fellow’s Atmos Vacuum Canisters** use vacuum seal technology to keep your ‘valuables’ safe from oxidation. With a simple twist, the air is removed and your beans or leaves are snuggled in tight until your next cup. It comes in 3 sizes and colors to match your decor, too. **~ from $30**

Mugs from Some of my favorite ceramicists

THERE’S NOTHING like sipping your favorite hot drink out of a beautiful piece of art and a special mug makes a really stunning and meaningful gift. After all, there’s nothing more sweet than being reminded of someone special each and every morning. These artists all hand-make their gorgeous wares one by one and don’t always have inventory on hand, but if you can be patient, I promise it’ll be worth the wait. If you find an artist you love, I recommend following them on Instagram or subscribing to their email list to find out first when they’re releasing new stuff. xo