This year, I'm creating three coffee wish lists.  This is the second.  It assumes you've gotten a bailout from the rocky economy, have fared well, and have kept your job.  I've made a wish list that's within the ballpark of reason (or maybe a little bit of a stretch).

List Two: You Get a Bailout (or Repreive)

Here it is, a list of goodies you might just get if you weren't particularly naughty this year.

1. The Behmor 1600 Drum Roaster

After reading more than 2,000 posts on the homeroast list in 2008, it seems without question the answer is the Behmor.  The Behmor 1600 seems like the most popular, best-reviewed-for-the-money home coffee roasting units.  People seem to love their service, too.  You can get the Behmor 1600 from Sweet Marias for $299.  Don't forget the spare drum with a small mesh for tiny beans, like those Yemenis.

2. Mazzer Mini Professional Grinder

If I were to upgrade at home from my Rocky...I'd have to go for the Mazzer Mini.  This thing's awesome.  Not that I've ever owned one, but one of my favorite small cafes has the electronic version.  Their espresso quality has increased significantly since upgrading to this grinder.  Maybe it's just Nolan's skillz.  Anyhow, for my modest needs, the manual Mazzer Mini Professional Espresso Grinder from Espresso Parts for $562 will do nicely.

3. Plain White Espresso and Latte Cups

Yeah, I need some simple ones to drink espresso classily also to practice good latte assembly.  There are tons out there but most have some meaningless vendor logo or commemerative image printed on them.  I just want 'em clean and white.  They also don't need to be fancy or expensive.  Whole Latte Love has them in sets of 4 to 6 for $27 to $32.

4. Harar Horse T-Shirt

I saw a woman wearing this in an airport and she made it through security before I could ask her A. where she got it, B. if she knew where the horse logo came from, and/or C. if she just liked coffee.  The Harar Horse bean from Ethiopia is one of the first coffees I roasted. I was amazed at the fruity peach and apricot flavors.  I saw the logo for the first time on a sack hanging on the wall of Mark and Mel's roastery.  It's printed on a sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirt and available from Alterra Wearables for $16.95.  Blue, size medium, please!

5. The Small Axe Roasted Coffee Sampler

Well, we don't distribute any coffee, but if I had to make a list of some of the best coffees I've tasted from small roasters this year, I'd have to reccomend the following, in one pound packages:

• Conscious Coffees Natural Processed Sidamo - This is the coffee that changed my life.  It's a brilliant fruity unwashed Ethiopian with medium to higher acidity.  The blueberries ring through my head on the finish like the deep "bong" from a gigantic bell.  Available in Colorado only, but check out the Conscious Coffees site.  Email me and I'll figure out how to help you buy some.
   
• Blue Bottle Coffee Purosa Papua New Guinea - PNG produces a tiny amount of coffee every year, so if you can try one, do it.  I tried it for the first time at Blue Bottle Coffee's Mint Place Cafe in August.  They prepared it in the Bee House Dripper (also a good stocking stuffer).  Man, it knocked my socks off.  Chocolatey, fruity, and a full body.  Order this PNG coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee for $18.50.
   
• 49th Paralell Coffee Roasters Organic Espresso - The first origin they least in this blend is Ethiopia, and wow, do you taste it!  Everyone talks a lot about their Epic Espresso blend, but I have to say this is the best espresso I've ever tasted.  Round and luscious fruit...think about the nicest glass of merlot you've ever tasted...in a shot of espresso.  Try this organic espresso blend from 49th Paralell Roasters for $16.