Good coffee is a necessity, not a luxury
No matter how much I oversleep every morning, I can't go without a freshly brewed coffee made with freshly ground beans. The process of filling a 500ml thermos bottle with the remaining coffee afterwards has become a habit for me, almost like a ritual
For a caffeine junkie who can't start his day without a cup of home-brewed coffee, he doesn't want to compromise on the quality of the coffee he makes, even if he's in the mountains. Even if he reluctantly accepts that it's not realistic to carry heavy, bulky, expensive, and fragile equipment in the mountains, he can't lie to himself
How fulfilling would a trip be if, as soon as you left your freezing tent at dawn, you could enjoy the perfect cup of coffee to warm your thirst? It's a dream for all outdoor enthusiasts, whether they're campers or hikers, and the search for the right equipment is a never-ending journey. Of course, there have been many compact tools available for outdoor use up until now, but it's undeniable that most of them have fallen short of the commitment to taste that will satisfy coffee lovers, or the functionality that will quiet outdoor enthusiasts
VSSL , an up-and-coming outdoor brand from Canada, raised over 35 million yen on Kickstarter, and this year officially launched the VSSL JAVA HAND COFFEE GRINDER , a long-awaited outdoor-grade, full-fledged coffee grinder that will make that little dream come true. It's not yet officially available in Japan, but I couldn't resist buying it directly from their website as soon as it was released. So, this time, I'll introduce it in as much detail as I can, even though I'm not a coffee fanatic, but I do love coffee.
table of contents
Features of the VSSL JAVA coffee grinder
A grinder structure that is completely focused on the quality of the ground beans
What impresses me most is the engine structure, which is thoroughly and thoroughly designed with a focus on quality, and there is no hint of any compromise on taste just because it is designed for outdoor use. One of the parts that symbolizes this is the sharp, precision-machined, professional-quality stainless steel blade
Although there are subtle differences, metal blades are often found in high-end manual coffee mills, including Comandante, which is renowned as a top-of-the-line grinder. Compared to ceramic blades, metal blades work by "cutting the beans rather than crushing them," which allows for higher-quality ground beans that are more uniform in size and less likely to produce fine powder that can cause unpleasant flavors
Compared to ceramic blades, the actual grinding feel is clearly different. Ceramic blades crush and pulverize, so they require more force to grind, and the grinding speed is relatively slow
On the other hand, when I tried grinding this VSSL JAVA , I was enchanted by the satisfying grinding sound, the pleasant subtle vibrations that were transmitted to my hands, and the smooth grinding experience from start to finish, with absolutely no hitches.
By the way, the grip for grinding beans can be folded up so that it doesn't get in the way, and it also comes with a removable knob at the end of the grip. While considering ease of holding and turning when grinding, you can also choose not to carry it to reduce weight. It is truly designed for outdoor use
The grip is adjustable in length, making it easy to carry and grind
I wanted to keep grinding forever like this - I was so impressed that a grinder that made me feel that way existed - and before I knew it, I had finished grinding faster than usual
The grinding speed is also really fast. But there's more to it than that. What makes this smooth and speedy grinding possible are two high-precision mini radial ball bearings that eliminate wobble during grinding and support stable rotation. Not only are these parts precisely assembled, but almost all of them can be disassembled. This is also likely due to the fact that it is designed with outdoor use in mind. *The photo below does not show all parts disassembled
From coarse grind to extra-fine grind for espresso, you can choose from 50 grind levels to suit your taste
It's just too comprehensive. The VSSL JAVA grinder has a knob that allows you to adjust the grind from coarse to extra fine, so you can set it exactly to your preference. It moves in increments of one, so if your preference is, for example, 25 clicks clockwise from zero, you can always set it exactly to that setting.
Thanks to the high-quality stainless steel grinder mentioned above, the VSSL JAVA can grind anything from a coarse grind suitable for a French press to the ultra-fine grind needed for espresso. It cuts the beans to a uniform size with consistent grain size. As a test, we actually tried grinding at about 10 different intervals (see photo below).
There aren't many coffee mills designed for outdoor use
In terms of coffee taste alone, there are probably better quality mills out there. However, what's particularly noteworthy about this product is that it's so particular about coffee quality, yet also takes into consideration every possible consideration for users who want to enjoy it outdoors. I can confidently say that this is what makes this product unique
As mentioned earlier, the grip (pull handle) can be folded up, making it easy to carry around by attaching it to a carabiner. The parts do not come apart, so it is hard to lose them
The body is made of durable aluminum, the same material used in aircraft, so there's no need to worry about rust. It also withstood minor impacts like hitting a rock or dropping it on the ground. It's a bit heavy (396 grams), but a mill that's too light might be portable but can be difficult to grind (turn), so this weight isn't a problem
The top lid can be opened and closed with one touch and is highly airtight, so you can feel safe even in a cumbersome tent
Summary: Coffee lovers and outdoor enthusiasts should definitely check this out
But even if you ignore that bias, this innovative hand coffee grinder is a boon for coffee lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, a long-awaited product that combines quality and functionality. The birth of this unique and edgy product, which would never have been realized if the product had been made with mass production in mind from the start, is the true joy of crowdfunding, which makes the dreams of niche users come true
Unfortunately, it is not yet available for regular sale in Japan, but I personally purchased it directly from the official online store and it arrived in about a week, so I think it's not too difficult to get hold of compared to other products. While it's at your own risk, it's definitely worth checking out
VSSL JAVA Hand Coffee Grinder - Go to the online store in Japan
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