About a week ago I hopped onto Instagram and saw this photo
- Scott Jurek and I are basically best friends, we’ve eaten at the same restaurant and probably sat at the same table. He is also a fantastic runner, so I follow him.
- This espresso contraption intrigued me more than salt on chocolate.
- I now have an overwhelming desire to visit Yosemite.
After seeing this espresso maker, I knew I had to have my own.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job at Starbucks, but the automatic aspect of the espresso machines makes it feel a bit…mainstream. I’ve longed to make espresso the “real” way by tamping coffee grounds into a finely packed puck fit for a portafilter.
This unique device allows me to practice pulling the perfect espresso shots at home, and experiment to find the perfect water to coffee ratio. It’s modern, yet traditional in a hands on way. No plugs or batteries needed, just your favorite coffee, hot water, and a good squeeze of the handles.
So how does it work? The hardest part is making sure you get your grounds packed properly. In order to ensure a tight packed puck your beans should be ground specifically for an espresso maker. If the grounds are too coarse they won’t pack as tight, which will affect your flavor and more importantly your overall pull.
Once you’ve packed your puck simply attach your portafilter into its designated spot, pour hot water into the top of the machine, handles DOWN. Slowly lift the handles, and then slowly press down, pausing at first to infuse and swell the coffee. Ideally your extraction should take around 20 seconds. Here, he explains it better.
I’m officially obsessed with making at home espresso. I’m not usually a latte drinker, but I now have the ability to drink them anytime I choose. There’s just something about this hands on technique that makes you feel connected to your coffee.
It’s magical.
I do love dense, fluffy, and stiff foam, but nothing beats the purity that is a solo espresso. Who wants to come over for an americano and cookies?
P.S. Now you see why I was so excited to buy this demitasse!
Q: Do you own an espresso maker? If so which one and how do you like it? The simplicity of this one has me hooked.
Blissfulbritt 
57 thoughts on “Rok Espresso Maker”
dorseyml
OMG! This post is amazing! I am pretty obsessed with Scott Jurek too! And I tried to convince my husband to take me to Yosemite on our honeymoon. lol
Brittany
I have never been one to take interest in “celebrities” or anything of the sort, but I would do many things to meet Scott!! He is such an inspiration and seems SO down to earth!!
I adore my french press. I use it daily, but this machine is a fun switch up!!
dorseyml
plus I want that expresso maker. I got a french press coffee maker as a wedding present. I am normally a tea drinker, but I’m starting to really get into coffee! xo
P
Seems like the perfect gift for the ultimate coffee fan!
thesuffolkstrider
I do love my coffee (10ish mugs a day…i’m wired) but i am a bit of a coffee philistine, it’s generally instant. I rarely do anything else. But the lure of a decent, first thing in the morning hit of caffeine & this post may just swing things for me.
Time for some online shopping!!!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Super cool. I wonder if Kevin would like one of these…. He’s more of a regular coffee straight up drinker than an espresso or espresso drink fan. But it sure does look like a fun toy!
Brittany
I’m more of a drip coffee fan myself (or French press if I’m at home) but this was way too cool to play with!! I’m appreciating the sweetness of Americano’s right now!
Hannah
OMG! Shut up, and take all my money! It’s gorgeous.
ingrid
OMG ! Now I want one so badly …
Britta
ME! Pick Me!!!! I wanna come over and for americanos and cookies. That would be my DREAM. I’m not gonna lie, when I first saw this pic on instagram I was a little terrified but you make it sound like magic! I’m so old school that I don’t own a coffee maker currently. I use a V shaped cone filter, a plastic coffee filter holder, and a coffee pot – pour over hot water and voila! And I know I butchered the “official” names of all those coffee things. Im soooooo old school 😀
Love your face!
Brittany
You my friend are using the “pour over” method, which means you used correct verbiage in a round about way! This is a fantastic quick way to get a cup of Joe!
Bunny Eats Design
I have this! It’s great. My parents got us one for a joint Christmas present a few years ago.
One tip if you have milk, microwave the milk in your mug, then froth and pull espresso straight in. I find that you get a nice hot coffee when the milk and cup have been heated.
eszternagy
wow, this thing is really impressive! AND I’ve never seen it before! I have a Bialetti (or two actually: one for one person and one for three) which I love even though I realize that the texture is not as good as commercial espresso machines make. The crema of this espresso maker is amazing. I want one now!
Brittany
I love that you noticed the crema. We are officially coffee best friends.
eszternagy
yeay 😀 I’m a Barista as well. I do love the quirkiness of these non electric coffee makers (and I do want them) but if I could I would buy a proper coffee machine (as well) so that I could practise latte art at home.
jenniferflorence07
wow, that look awesome!! so impressive and I so need a coffee now!
apartmentwife
can i steal your salt on chocolate expression? it really rings true to the heart of a beautiful thing. as for coffee? i need foam – the more the better – and jon likes his espresso probably a lot like you’re making it in these pictures. imma link over and see if this might be in the cards for christmas…
PS i think of you whenever i see advent calendars at starbucks or cookie butter at TJs 🙂
Brittany
I couldn’t be happier that BOTH Starbucks and TJ’s make you think of me!! I think of you when walking around in the leaves!! 🙂
Jim Brennan
Simply Awesome!
Jim Brennan
Oh, and Scott Jerek is not just a great runner, he is a legend on the ultra-trail circuit. So cool you may have placed your derriere in the same spot as his. Nice!
Brittany
He sure is!! I tore through his book in a matter of days. Such an inspirational human!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I want to come over for Americanos and cookies! I’ll even bring the cookies!
I’ve never seen one of these contraptions before, but now I’m super intrigued and actually kind of want to put one on my Christmas wish list. Ive been eyeing espresso machines because I’m kind of getting tired of my Keurig but there are sooooo many out there and I’m not sure what kind I want. Ohhh decisions decisions…
hellotofit
What a cool espresso maker…I’ve never seen that before! I have a Bialetti stovetop espresso maker and it turns out delish. If not typically lattes, what coffee drink do you prefer?
Brittany
I’m a drip coffee lover, black as night and full of body! I have been appreciating Americanos lately though for their caramel sweetness from the espresso beans!
glutenfreehappytummy
that is so cool. adding it to my xmas list
Ellie
I had no idea Starbucks cheated!!! At my job we pull our own shots. When I was first learning, it was a pain to get the correct pressure and I screwed up so many! However, once you get the hang of it (like the first time you make a perfect cappuccino) it’s a thing of beauty! Too bad I don’t like espresso or this thing would be fun to play with! My favorite part of making drinks is trying to draw on the foam. I’m really good at making rocks lol
Brittany
Yea I guess you could say we “cheat.” The customer count is way too high to pull each shot the long way, so they created automatic machines to cut the time WAYYY down and generate a faster beverage assembly line. It’s really quite nice actually.
Making a cappuccino is a science in itself, I love those.
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
What a cool way to get an espresso. I have a difficult time knowing what to do with our machine. How firmly do you tamp down the grounds? Should they be quite fine?
Brittany
Yes, they should be very fine!! On a typical grinder espresso is the finest. Enough to tightly pack each little coffee speck close together without any drips until pressure is added!
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Ok.. and press down super hard when packing??
Brittany
Well, you don’t need to break your wrist, but a firm push will pack them nicely! 🙂 Have you experimented with it at all yet? The “puck” should have a uniformed smooth and flat look, and it should pop out easily when you discard it.
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
I have to almost dig mine out.. so I will try those finer grinds tomorrow morning:D
Brittany
I hope it helps!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
This contraption puts that TOOTIE FALOOTIE coffee shop under my apartment TO SHAME, right?!?!?!?!!?
Brittany
For sure, although Commissary had that cute bearded man using beakers in his pour overs sooo…that kinda tickled my coffee soul. I want him to tickle my coffee soul everyday. Tickle..
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Draw a beard on your face and look at yourself in the mirror as you make your coffee??
BAHHHH HA HA AH AH AH AH AHA HA HA HA HA HA!
Brittany
HAH. That was good!
The Vegan 8
Omg I want that soooo bad!!! It’s gorgeous! I have a very fancy Jura Capressa machine and it makes anything from foamed cappuccinos to lattes to espresso and coffee. It’s amazing, but it’s a big machine, so if course there is cleaning and tablets and tons of water to full. It’s amazing but I rarely use it anymore. I just use my mini French Press whenever I want some, but I now want this!!
kellyanneolga
ok wait, slow down , back up….Scott Jurek?? That’s all I need to know about this! seriously though I’ve seen one in a coffee shop and it looked so bizarre…years ago I had a home espresso maker which disappeared after a move. I just broke my beloved french press which I had for nearly 20 years! and now use a Chemex which my husband bought for my last birthday. it’s pretty and aesthetic and looks so modern on my counter but damn, the coffee is NEVER hot enough and honestly it’s a bit boring….Scott Jurek….ahhhh. I’m putting this bad boy on my Christmas list now!! and that foamer!!
Brittany
Ohh this is good to know about your Chemex, I’ve been wanting one myself. I use my french press daily, and now have this espresso machine so naturally I need something to make a pour over. HA.
Aja
That looks so cool. If I drank coffee I’d definitely need to get one of these.
willrunforpizza
I don’t have an espresso machine, so I’ll be over so you can make me one with that fancy-schmancy contraption. I’ll bring the chocolate.
HBeans
Reblogged this on Clouds & Meatballs and commented:
WANT WANT WANT!
New coffee gadgets are my weakness! I am obsessed with discovering new methods, contraptions, and devices. Basically, I’m on a journey to find out the best and perhaps most interesting way of getting delicious caffeine into my system, without straight up injecting it into my veins. Here’s a cool espresso maker by Rok that I just had to share with you guys.
What do you think? How much would you pay to get good coffee?
Choc Chip Uru
If I was a coffee addict, I would definitely be into this gadget – maybe for my daddy 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
You just reminded me to pack my moka pot for my new apartment 🙂 🙂 have a great holiday, pretty lady!
An Unrefined Vegan
I think I need this thing!
thepblover
This is IMPRESSIVE. Oh my gosh. I need this. Also, on an off note, I don’t know what you call the tiny little picture at the top of the screen (favicon I think?), but the tree is absolutely adorable. I am obsessed!
Brittany
Thank you!! I’m quite obsessed myself!
minnesotagirl18464
I love Scott jurek!!!
Julia
Awesome post Brittany! Love this kitchen gadget! What restaurant have you had the best coffee? Remember to add it to your Besty List! http://www.thebesty.com/blissfulbritt
earthzenmama
This looks amazing! I also love Scott Jurek! His book was amazing.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m on my way. I’ll bring the cookies.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Oooh I need to pass this on to Christopher! He will this this particular machine is awesome! We have an espresso maker, but it’s more the press-a-button sort. He’ll like the levers on this!
Laura Macaulay
Oh no… as if I need ANOTHER coffee device or accessory!! I have a Saeco machine that freshly grinds beans and does everything from start to finish for cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, the works. I love it but the maintenance is a bit much. I also have a Nespresso and I love how fast and easy it is but the taste is always a bit lacking. Certainly neither are as elegant and back-to-basics as this little number. If nothing else I just want to keep it on my kitchen counter and admire it! Thanks for putting this idea into my head haha… talk about Christmas presents for myself!
Janelle
Watch ‘Fun for Louis’ on Youtube and you will become as obsessed with visiting Yosemite as I am! Its looks so magical.
xx Janelle
Alex
This contraption is magical. I must have it!!
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