Fellow Prismo Assessment

I’m a sucker for a kitchen gadget that saves cash, house, and time. If a product can do all of this and concurrently caffeinate me? Houston, now we have a treasure. I really like a powerful brew however do not drink a ton of espresso, so I don’t want a drip coffee pot or perhaps a French press. And since I’m not after amount, I recognize crafting a high quality single cup. 

About 10 years in the past I began utilizing an Aeropress to brew my morning no-frills cup of espresso. However whereas one cup typically did the job, I do love a latte or different espresso-based drink every now and then. I’m the one espresso drinker in my house, so it didn’t make sense to speculate cash (or counter house) in an espresso machine, however I did like the thought of with the ability to save a couple of {dollars} and fulfill espresso-based cravings at house. Enter the Fellow Prismo. 

The Fellow Prismo Makes It Quick and Straightforward to Brew Espresso-Model Espresso

I bought the Fellow Prismo in February 2020, and it rapidly turned my ride-or-die caffeinator when the pandemic pressured cafés to shut. Despite the fact that our beloved native cafés are again up and working, the Prismo stays a part of my morning ritual. It has traveled with me on a number of holidays and has seen me by way of my first 12 months of parenthood, the place morning espresso must be robust and rapidly conjured. 

The Prismo is an attachment for the Aeropress. And whereas the Aeropress makes an excellent, easy cup of espresso, including the Fellow Prismo attachment creates one thing nearer to espresso. 

To make espresso, a conventional espresso machine makes use of stress to pressure scorching water by way of floor espresso beans, making a small however robust cup with a silky topping referred to as crema. To imitate this, Fellow Prismo additionally makes use of stress (albeit far lower than a conventional espresso machine, because it’s handbook), and the result’s what Fellow calls an “espresso-style” shot. When the Prismo is used instead of the Aeropress filter and cap, its pressure-actuated valve and chrome steel filter create a powerful, concentrated sipper with that dreamy, foamy goodness discovered on high of an espresso shot. And the Fellow Prismo is fast: The whole brewing course of takes simply over a minute as soon as your water is scorching. 

Learn how to Use the Fellow Prismo

For a single espresso-style shot, Fellow recommends utilizing recent beans, both an espresso blend or a darkish roast, and a ratio of 20 grams of floor espresso to 50 milliliters of water (heated to around 212°F, or boiling). After including the grounds and water to the Aeropress and the hooked up Prismo, stir vigorously for 20 seconds then let it sit for 40 seconds earlier than urgent the Aeropress plunger down firmly and rapidly to provide your espresso-style shot. 

Once I’m craving a bigger cup to sip, I add 240 milliliters of water to twenty grams of floor espresso. This nonetheless offers me a easy and daring cup in comparison with an ordinary drip espresso maker, although it isn’t fairly as intense as a small shot-style recipe. 

The Fellow Prismo Is Moveable

The Fellow Prismo travels very well (it weighs a little bit over two ounces), and I’ve taken it with me on a number of holidays. It matches simply inside a gallon-sized plastic bag, together with the Aeropress items and an ordinary 12-ounce bag of espresso. If you happen to personal an Aeropress, chances are high you like espresso sufficient to surrender a little bit suitcase house for it on a visit. Since you should utilize the Aeropress-Prismo combo to brew on high of any standard mug, each are no-brainer additions to my trip packing checklist. 

FAQs

Is espresso made by the Fellow Prismo the identical as espresso?

Technically, no. However additionally it is arguably totally different from a cup of drip espresso. The Prismo mimics an espresso machine by including stress to the espresso brewing course of, however the outcomes land someplace between the 2. Check out this article for our breakdown of the distinction between espresso and espresso. 

Who’s the Prismo for? 

The Prismo is nice for somebody who desires to make a powerful cup of espresso or craft an espresso-based drink at house. It’s excellent for the budget- and space-conscious or the travel-ready espresso drinker who desires to brew one cup at a time.

What else can I do with the Prismo?

Apart from the functions described above, Fellow advertises that you would be able to make cold brew, tea, Americanos, and common brewed espresso with the Prismo. I really like brewing with it over ice to create my very own model of a Japanese-style iced coffee. Once I need a latte, I attain for my frother and add some foamy milk, which I heat and sweeten with a contact of maple syrup. 

Is the Fellow Prismo straightforward to wash?

Completely. It must be hand-washed, however heat water and dish cleaning soap is all you want. You may even press heat soapy water by way of the filter as in case you’re brewing a cup of espresso. When espresso oils begin to construct up within the filter, I soak it for a bit in heat water with a splash of vinegar earlier than washing, and we’re good as new. 

Why We’re the Consultants 

• Jenna Lanoue is a contributing author at Severe Eats, a espresso fanatic, and a dad or mum of a small youngster who makes espresso a necessity.
• She has owned the Fellow Prismo since February 2020 and nonetheless makes use of it each day.