REVIEW – In most cultures of the world, mornings are started with a hot beverage. Even in the sands of the desert, folks prepare hot coffee, matcha, or tea. I’m primarily a coffee (specifically espresso) person, so that’s what I want, but it’s impossible to prepare without a high-pressure system. Today we’re going to consider a high-tech yet low-key solution to getting high-pressure hot water forced through compacted coffee grounds – the CoffeeJack system.
What is it?
The CoffeeJack portable espresso system is a hand-operated system to deliver high-pressure water for making espresso.
What’s in the box?
- Grounds tamper
- Pressure chamber/portafilter
- Carrying bag
Hardware specs
Click to expand
- Extracts Barista Standard Double Shot Espresso (up to 14g)
- 9 Bar Pressure Regulation System
- Easy Clean
- Pre-infusion Enabled
- Portable for use in any location
- Hand Powered
- FSA Approved Materials: Food Safe Plastics and Stainless Steel
Design and features
The CoffeeJack portable espresso system consists of a coffee dosing cup (like the portafilter of an espresso machine), and a clear bulbous cylinder with a pressure chamber in the center. This is closed off with a screw-on cap that has a hole through the center for the pump handle. (See above)
The entire assembly is then placed atop the coffee cup. If the cup is fragile or unstable, there is an optional stand that can be used, which I found reassuring.
Setup
True of any food prep equipment, you should wash the entire unit in warm soapy water before use to remove debris and oils left behind during the manufacturing process. Rinse in warm clear water and dry.
In the bottom of the dosing cup, there is a pressed metal disc that allows water through but blocks most of the solids of the coffee. (An extra one is included.) Some systems have just a metal screen here. I found this disc to be a really good filter – very few large solids made it into the cup, but all the flavor was there.
Unlike mocha pots or an AeroPress-type system, the CoffeeJack portable espresso system requires that the coffee be tamped into a proper puck.
This takes a bit of practice to get the correct amount of pressure. (One barista online said it should be about the pressure required to crush a ripe kiwi. Not a very scientific measurement! I’m sure that’s not in the ASTM manual!)
Once the puck is tamped, screw the basket into the bottom of the water chamber. (Be sure to tighten it all the way, as there is a good bit of pressure that will be formed. And, if you’re using the stand, do this before placing it in the stand!)
Place the unit on your cup (or the stand, which elevates it over unsteady or more fragile cups), pour in your water, and screw on the cover. The spring-action pump is easy to use: just continually press it down and allow it to rise back. This builds pressure inside the central chamber and suddenly, you have that sweet elixir flowing into your cup! Magic!
Cleanup is a breeze. Unscrew the dosing cup, knock out the grounds, rinse in warm water, and you’re done. I’ll have another!
Performance
The basics of the CoffeeJack portable espresso system look very similar to other pour-over or hand-press systems: there is a place to put in the grounds, a place to pour in the hot water, and a method to force the hot water through the grounds. The difference is how much pressure is built up in the CoffeeJack’s internal chamber.
I found the product to be first-rate. It’s easy enough to fill and use, even though there are a lot of little fiddly bits. Compared to, say, an AeroPress, which has been my go-to camping method for years, the product is improved enough to use it. You’ll need to carry a tamper, and have a stable surface for tamping and pumping the unit. It takes more force than just a push-through, but not much.
In my kit, there was also a rubber bar mat included, which I love. (See lede photo. May have been a promo item.) I have a larger one beside my espresso machine (see left in above) and another in the mixing area of the bar, and they contain spills, both liquid and solid. Once you have one of these in your prep area, you’ll hate pouring or mixing drinks over a bare countertop because there are always a few drops that spill, and these guys hide the spills and let you continue working without having rings on the counter that need to be wiped up. At the end of the day (or a few days), put the rubber mat in the sink with the dishes, swish it to get it clean, and hang it over a rack to dry.
What I like about the CoffeeJack portable espresso system
- True espresso, cordlessly!
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
What I’d change
- There are a lot of pieces…
Final thoughts
From my first taste, I was hooked on espresso. I have had it made in everything from hand-pressed machines (thanks, Jovannes!) at one of my first specialty food jobs to antique machines in corner shops that survived WWII in Britain, Italy, and Spain. I have had everything from poor-quality home machines that almost mimic a true experience to competition-level stuff from some of the best equipment on the market. What I’ve found in this multi-decade voyage is this: experience matters and equipment matters. A bad barista can mess up the best method. But, by the same token, someone who knows how to pull a good shot can often get great results from sub-par equipment.
The CoffeeJack portable espresso system allows you to carry a stunningly high-quality piece of brewing equipment anywhere. You’ll just need a source of hot water. (And, really, you should grind your beans just before brewing. Just saying.) You still have to learn about the coffee itself (roast, grind, etc. matter!), tamping, and timing, but you are far, far ahead with the CoffeeJack system, rather than depending on that high-schooler at your local green-apron store!
Price: £129.95 (usually £149.95), other options
Where to buy: Company webstore
Source: The sample of this product was provided by CoffeeJack. CoffeeJack did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
