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Coffee machines, in my mind, have become a lot like fashion trends. One minute they’re in – and the next they’re out. That’s why, after a brief Keurig stint in the early 2010’s, I have stuck with a traditional, ugly-as-sin, tried-and-true coffee pot. It’s been giving me signs that it’s on its last leg, though, so I took it as a sign to upgrade my brew. After some expensive research, I decided to try BALMUDA’s The Brew coffee maker ($699), which was just released in May 2023. At such a steep price point, I wasn’t sure what I was going to make of it.
We like
- Super premium coffee experience without the hassle
- Beautiful, compact design that looks great on any sized counter
- Includes 3 brewing modes: regular, strong, and iced
- Free 30-day returns
- Produces exceptionally smooth coffee
- Brewing experience is scientifically engineered to give you the perfect cup
- Love the elegant touches to engage all 5 senses, such as the sounds
We don't like
- Pot is pretty small – better for one person’s use
- Significant price point
- Would be nice to be able to schedule a brew ahead of time
Becoming BALMUDA
If you haven’t heard of BALMUDA before, I’m going to confidently say “you’re welcome” in advance for introducing you. A Tokyo-based “creativity and technology company” founded in 2003, their 5 products are top-of-the-line. By designing appliances for today’s consumer, the brand promises a “thrilling, wonderful experience” with each of their products. Having just 5 SKUs really speaks to that promise. I find myself more and more drawn to brands with fewer products… to me, it shows a deep commitment to designing things well and for the long-haul.
The founder’s story speaks to this, as well. Gen Terao started wandering the world after dropping out of school at the tender age of 17. Having explored the Mediterranean and a stint in music, Gen found himself studying design and manufacturing, which led him to create BALMUDA. I love the way the “About” page phrases how his experience helps product curation: “From the smell of freshly baked bread in Spain, to the cool feel of a Japanese summer breeze, each product he develops carries a piece of his life experiences.” Sexy, right?
Pour-Over Without the Hassle
The Brew boasts the “true taste of coffee” and a “café-like experience.” This is because it automates the typically cumbersome process of making a pourover, which many coffee shop regulars (including my sister, a former barista) swear by. I’ve always enjoyed having a good pour over, but being a busy, working parent of 2 young children, I just don’t have the time or the patience to put together a fancy coffee in the morning. But I also didn't want to sacrifice excellence in my coffee just because I lacked the time to make it that way, which is why The Brew originally appealed to me. With precise temperature control and controlled drips, the machine looked – and sounded – like it was going to deliver an excellent “cuppa” without the hassle.
Unboxing the machine was super exciting. In fact, the timing was perfect – it arrived the day my husband and I got home from the hospital with our second baby! We knew we were going to need caffeine. Set up was simple, only requiring you to run a quick cleansing cycle, as well as simply putting the pot on the machine. Besides breaking down the packaging, it took me less than 10 minutes all together. And as someone who hates reading directions, this excited me!
Waking Up and Smelling the Coffee
Making a pot of coffee with The Brew is super simple. Add water to the water chamber, put some grounds in a filter, put the filter back in, select your brew type (iced, strong, or regular), size (small, medium, or large), and press start. The machine plays the most relaxing sound after you press start, as well as when the coffee is done brewing. The “open drip technology,” which means that you can see the drips coming onto your beans, is addicting to watch – and to experience (it really engages all 5 of your senses!). The coffee itself was exceptionally smooth, which other buyers noted as well. I did feel like it was noticeably better-tasting than my other machine, which is what I was going for! If you’re looking to get the “true taste” of your coffee bean, this machine delivers.
I will say that the size did disappoint. I thought it was going to be a standard-sized coffee pot, making several cups of coffee per brew. Unfortunately, despite the different size options, my husband and I have found that it really makes closer to 1-1.5 cups of coffee, even on the large setting. This means we typically have to make several pots a day. Again, maybe that’s an us problem being busy, tired parents of two under two, but the size definitely leaves something to be desired. I also wish that there was the ability to schedule a brew, especially from my phone. I often do an early morning feeding with our newborn and find myself wishing for a cup of coffee to be started from another room, so I don’t have to wait!
Will You Brew with BALMUDA, Too?
The best description of The Brew in my mind is that it’s the Ferrari of drip coffee makers. It engages all of your senses, thrills you along the ride, but it just isn’t meant for those needing a ton of space. The machine is elegant to the touch and is easy on the eyes, which I love, so we’ll be keeping ours around for awhile, despite having to make several pots. That’s the other thing – with BALMUDA’s long track record and history of excellence in engineering, I have full confidence that the admittedly significant investment will be worth it. So, if you’re looking to wow your friends, that special someone, or heck – yourself – with the sportscar of coffee makers, look no further: The Brew is for you.
Get your new brew with BALMUDA today.
