Nothing makes me happier than when somebody comes alongside and clears away all of the technological litter from a tool to disclose its easy mechanical underpinnings. When the outcome additionally appears higher and works higher than its opponents, that’s tech(much less) nirvana, which is precisely what the Superkop espresso machine manages to attain.

The Superkop is a completely guide espresso maker that wants nothing greater than sizzling water and espresso-ground espresso to brew up a scrumptious shot. There’s no touchscreen, no pointless telephone app, no digital nonsense, simply the important factor you want: nice espresso.

Since it doesn’t require something greater than sizzling water, when the zombie apocalypse comes, you’ll be able to warmth that water over a garbage can fireplace, brew that scrumptious shot, and calmly lookup out of your still-functional Superkop on the impending Zombie horde and say, “Bring it.”

Keep It Simple

Hand-pump espresso machines aren’t a brand new thought. They are, in truth, the unique thought. Still obtainable at the moment, largely within the type of costly, pro-level machines. La Pavoni might be the best-known model, however most of its machines (and most fashionable pump machines) nonetheless require electrical energy (normally to warmth the water). Go again additional in historical past and also you’ll discover massive, advanced hand-pump machines designed for espresso retailers. They’re wonderful, usually stunning—a few of them are artwork nouveau–period masterworks—however not the form of factor most of us can afford in our properties.

The most sensible hand-pump machine I’ve used (and the highest choose in our guide to portable espresso) is the Flair Signature ($239), which is hand-pumped however makes use of your physique to offer the stress needed to attain the 9 to 11 bars required for espresso. This works in case you’re capable of present that stress, however it’s the one weak spot of the Flair—you could be sturdy sufficient to get that stress.

The Superkop steps into this market with a robust design aesthetic, albeit extra industrial than artwork nouveau however putting nonetheless, and a intelligent approach across the stress drawback. It makes use of a ratcheting mechanism within the deal with to maintain the stress fixed as you increase and decrease the pump arm. It takes six pulls to get a full Lungo shot, however you don’t want to drag laborious in any respect.

At the identical time, you do have some management over how a lot stress is utilized. You can regulate the stress by the velocity of your pumping, and this, mixed with the quantity of beans and the way finely you grind them, are the instruments it’s important to management the completed outcome. Don’t fear, there’s an overpressure worth that releases at 20 bars so that you gained’t break something. And strive as I would, I couldn’t get this launch to set off, so I wouldn’t fear about build up an excessive amount of stress.

As with all espresso machines, there’s a studying curve to getting it the place you need it. Use a scale to maintain monitor of how a lot you’re utilizing, and tweak your grind in small increments till you get it to your tastes. After the same old fidgeting with the grind, tamping stress, and quantity of grounds, I used to be capable of persistently pull glorious photographs with the Superkop. They had been, in truth, higher than what I’ve been capable of get from the Flair Signature and higher than most consumer-level house espresso machines, partially, I believe, due to the constant, fixed stress the Superkop achieves.

Test of Time

Is it higher than the espresso at your native espresso store? That relies on too many elements to reply for everybody, however in lots of instances, sure, undoubtedly. If you occur to reside by a store the place the baristas actually know what they’re doing, perhaps not, however in my expertise touring across the US for the previous seven years, these are few and much between. (If you may have a great store close to you, drop me a line so I can cease in if I’m within the space.)