As summer comes to a close, back to school season is coming ever closer. With it will come early morning classes, late night study sessions, and loud roommates that never seem to get in trouble for blasting music during quiet hours. That means that your college packing list shouldn’t just contain textbooks, school supplies, and room decor – you also need to make sure you have the tools to keep you properly caffeinated this school year.
Whether you’re an underclassmen living in a dorm on campus or an upperclassmen or grad student in your own apartment, it’s important to get the right coffee makers and tools for your needs. This list goes over a few of the essentials to make sure that when sleep fails you this school year, coffee won’t.
Being back-to-school ready means being ready to brew.
Coffee Essentials for Dorm Living
Living in a dorm usually means that you’re on a dining plan and may have some on-campus coffee options available to you, but there’s nothing worse than oversleeping and having to skip your morning coffee because the line is too long at your usual shop. Whether you need a coffee maker for daily use or just on days when you don’t feel like trudging to the dining hall, these are some great options that will still fit in your dorm.
Pods and Capsules
If you have a pod machine, it’s important to stock up on pods so you don’t suddenly run out when you need it most. Make sure to check what kind of pods the machine you chose uses to ensure that you’re getting the best quality coffee and espresso.
Lavazza Blue Gold Selection
Lavazza Blue Gold Selection are some of our best selling Lavazza-compatible capsules, and it’s easy to see why. With notes of almond and honey, you’re sure to get a delicious shot of espresso to drink alone, in a milk drink, or in an Americano. This 100-pack will keep you stocked for a few months so you won’t have to worry about buying new capsules until midterms are over.
$82.99
Illy E.S.E. Pods Intenso
If you’re looking for a bolder, more intense flavor for your coffee pods, these Intenso ESE pods from Illy are a great choice. You can brew authentic Italian espresso shots with these perfectly premeasured pods filled with sustainably grown Arabica beans. The best part? These pods are 100% compostable.
$11.99
Compact Coffee Makers
If you want to brew with a coffee maker instead of a pod machine, but you’re still tight on space in your dorm, these coffee makers are a great solution. You can choose to brew one cup or a bigger batch to share (or drink over the course of a long cram session).
Bonavita BV1900TS 8 Cup Coffee Brewer
Bonavita’s coffee makers are known for their status as brewing coffee that fits the SCA Golden Cup Standards. That means that you’re getting delicious coffee that’s brewed right every time for a coffee that’s well balanced and delicious every time.This Bonavita brewer holds up to 8 cups of brewed coffee, so you can make a big carafe for your friends or choose to only brew one to two cups for yourself.
$204.99
Off Campus Caffeinating
Once you move off campus, it’s a little more crucial to have an at-home coffee setup. You might be lucky enough to have a coffee shop on your commute to campus, but when you’re short on time (or money), it’s much easier to be able to brew at home. These espresso machines, coffee makers, and grinders will help you brew barista-quality coffee without ever leaving your place.
Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
If you want to step into the world of at-home espresso, these super-automatic espresso machines are a great choice. With built-in grinders and programmable settings, you can play around with how you brew without worrying too much about having a range of accessories to keep track of so you can keep your focus on your schoolwork.
The Gaggia Brera with a Gaggia cappuccino cup.
Gaggia Brera
This Italian-made espresso machine allows you to easily brew espresso and steam milk to craft delicious drinks using its intuitive controls. The pannarello steam wand allows you to steam milk with little-to-no effort on your part, so you won’t have to worry about your steaming technique. The 8.8oz bean hopper also means that you will have freshly ground coffee for every brew cycle, and you can switch between five different grind settings on the grinder to get dialed in for whichever coffee you’re brewing with for the drink you’re brewing.
$649.00
JURA ENA 4
If you’re looking for a sleek, stylish, and easy-to-use espresso machine, the JURA ENA 4 is a great choice. You can choose to brew single or double shots of espresso as well as a single or double coffee, so you can get barista quality espresso and coffee at home with just the touch of a button. The built-in Aroma G3 Grinder is quieter than a grinder outside of a machine, which is perfect for making sure you don’t wake up any of your roommates who may have stayed up too late the night before.
Coffee Makers and Tools
If you aren’t ready to make the jump to getting a full espresso machine but you still want to be able to make your own coffee at home, these coffee makers and accessories can help. Whether you want the ease of a french press or the control of a pour over setup, these products are perfect for all of your at home brewing needs.
Pour over brewing with the Espro Bloom Pour Over.
Espro Stainless Steel French Press
When you’re trying to fit all of your necessities in a too-small college apartment kitchen, it’s inevitable that there will be some wear and tear on your kitchenware. This Espro Stainless Steel French Press will not only stand the test of time, but it will also brew delicious coffee with Espro’s double filter basket. You can also use your french press to brew cold brew alongside hot coffee if you want to add variety to your routine.
$189.95
Espro Bloom Pour Over
Sticking to durable brewers, the Espro Bloom Pour Over is a stainless steel pour over device that has survived camping and is sure to be fine in your off campus housing situation. Using filters for this pour over device is optional, so if you run out in the middle of the week, you can brew without them for a few days until your next order comes in.
$47.95
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
If you want to brew espresso without an espresso machine, the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is convenient, durable, and pretty easy to use once you have the hang of it. The AeroPress creates a vacuum seal in order to build pressure for brewing espresso, so you can try out different grind sizes to see what will work best for your taste preferences during the brew process.
$50.00
Drinking Coffee On the Go
Whether you’re heading to class or to a shift at your part time job, you need a dependable travel mug to bring your coffee with you. These mugs go from functional to just for fun so you can find the right one for your coffee drinking preferences.
The Espro Travel Mug with the lid and double basket filter on display.
Espro Travel Mug
If you have a tendency to run late, this travel mug is perfect for you. The built-in french press will allow you to brew on the way to your destination, so you can arrive to class on time and with a delicious, fresh cup of coffee. You can also brew cold brew in this mug by putting in grounds and water the night before and grab it on your way out to really keep your morning moving.
$42.95
Whole Latte Love Camelbak Mug
I might be a little biased on this one, but I love this Camelbak mug. The insulated mug will keep your coffee warm for hours, so if you have a long study session ahead of you, you can sip from this cup for hours at a time without having to drink lukewarm coffee. When I was in college, I used a mug like this when I pulled all-nighters in the library and would refill it at the cafe in the lobby so I felt more like I was at home and not in a crowded library during finals week.
$40.00
In Conclusion
College requires caffeination, and whether you’re living on campus for your freshman year or in an apartment off campus for the final year of your masters degree, these products can help you brew the best way for you. Whole Latte Love wishes you the best of luck for your upcoming school year, and we hope this guide helped you find the best way to caffeinate!
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