Handpresso WILD Domepod Review - Mobile Ground Espresso

The Handpresso folks saw a big wave of success last year as their "Bike Pump Espresso Machine" cool gadget thing made waves as it offered a dead simple way to get high quality espresso on the go with a high pressure extraction system. There's been a bit of fun poked at it's videos showing people hiking through the woods stopping to brew some espresso, but come on, who shouldn't want a nice espresso when you are out there? There are hikes and camping trips where I drank robusta laden sludge for days wishing for a nice cup of coffee or shot of espresso.

Well SingleServeEspresso got it's hands on one of the new Handpresso Wild DomePods that is a bit of a change up from it's brother the regular "WILD" that takes the ESE Espresso pod.

Once again the Handpresso WILD Dome Pod comes boxed up like the fine piece of scientific equipment that it feels like in your hand. The pump is made of aluminum and feels like it was machined to be put into a fighter jet; precise, and solid.

A quick look at the warning tag and you know that this thing can really hold some pressure. Of course, I skipped the instruction manual, but after going back, I read through a well thought out direction set for brewing espresso in this simple machine.

The Handpresso WILD DomePod comes with two espresso holders that let you pack in your own espresso before brewing.

To brew with the Handpresso WILD DomePod, I pumped the unit up to the right pressure on the dial (the "Green Zone" which is about 16 bar), poured hot water into the reservoir, added the espresso filled espresso holder, screwed on the cap, inverted over my Bodum Pavina Shot glass, and pushed the release button. Voila - espresso.

The Handpresso Wild Dome Pod is fun and easy to use, offering a good source of decent pressure brewed espresso. Taking ground espresso on a hike or trip, or even to the office can be a pain, so I would take a small container of ground espresso with me and fill the baskets on-site. Certainly the DomePod offers a way to customize your experience, getting your favorite espresso for your trip away from home. The flavor of the espresso is not as amazing as you might get out of a countertop machine, but for the size, portability and ease of use, the quality is pretty good. I found a good tight tamp to help make a more full flavored shot.

Available at Handpresso

July 10, 2009

Handpresso WILD Domepod Review - Mobile Ground Espresso