Wacaco Minipresso GR2

I love a good coffee just as much as the next person but, when I’m off on a trip somewhere, I inevitably end up making a batch, shoving it in a flask and sipping on it several hours after making it. As you can imagine, it doesn’t quite taste the same as it does when freshly brewed, taking away some of that magic. Bringing a whole cafetiere or coffee machine is obviously utterly impractical so my taste buds were absolutely delighted to give this minipresso GR2 from Wacaco a go – plus it meant I could actually enjoy a full-flavoured espresso while out and about, not something I would normally be able to indulge in.

It’s a compact little thing (appropriate for making espresso’s really) that works very easily. You put your grounds in to the basket (this one is adjustable so you can have from 8-12 grams of coffee – great if you want that double hit!), pat them down and screw the basket back in place. Then you pour in your hot water (you’ll still need to bring that flask!), extend the pump from the side, give it 8 pumps or so to pressurise and keep on going until you have the desired amount of coffee in the little cup provided. Sit back and enjoy! There’s a host of other things included that make life easier such as a brush to make sure grounds don’t get caught up in the thread and a funnel for when you pour them in as well as a scoop and drip tray. Furthermore, there’s no power requirements, the whole thing is manually operated so will always work and you also get that lovely crema on top, making for a smashing little espresso.

The GR2 is made partly with wheat-based polymers rather than plastic wherever possible and stainless steel and weighs less than 300 grams. It also comes in at less than 5” long so can fit easily in your pocket if you have nowhere else to store it, although it does come with a little travel bag. And, at just under 50 quid, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of it. RRP £49.90

MINIPRESSO GR2