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In the eternal quest for the perfect coffee, batch brewers are serious contenders.
Here's our look at the Bonavita 8 Cup One Touch (BV1900TS)...
All about quality
First of all, any discussion about the 'perfect coffee' must be laser-focused on control, and this is always a partnership between the person and the device. Even the best brewer cannot compensate for poor roasting, unsuitable grinding or incorrect dosing <sigh>.
So, let's assume you have an appropriate dose of well-roasted, freshly and suitably ground coffee. Let's also assume your water and filter are up to spec.
That leaves a small, but significant, number of tasks for your brewer to control.
1. Brew water temperature
The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) states that brewing best practice means "...water temperature, at the point of contact with coffee, is recommended to fall between 200°F ± 5° (93.0°C ± 3°)." The Bonavita One Touch delivers water at between 91 and 96 degrees. Tick that box.
2. Water delivery
The Bonavita One Touch delivers water through a nine hole screen, spreading the water right across the coffee dose. Recognised as one of the most capable brewers in this function, it's also fun to watch!
3. Blooming/pre-infusion
As an SCAA certified device, the Bonavita One Touch also includes a pre-infusion option delivering a small amount of water to 'bloom' the coffee before commencing the brew in earnest.
Pre-infusion is not automatic however, and must be reactivated when the machine is disconnected from power.
4. Brewed coffee temperature
Imagine a conversation like this...
Coffee amateur asks: How soon should I drink my coffee once it's brewed? Or, how soon after brewing will the coffee be no good to drink?
Coffee professional answers: Drink it as soon as possible. Once the flavour degrades you'll know you've waited too long.
Coffee amateur continues: Okay, maybe that was the wrong question. How long can I keep my coffee hot for before drinking it?
Coffee professional responds: Refer to answer above.
The Bonavita One Touch comes with a dual-wall stainless steel carafe that can retain the existing heat in brewed coffee for hours. It's clearly a different approach to continuing to apply heat to a (usually glass) carafe like many other brewers do.
What does the SCAA say about applying heat to already prepared coffee? Nothing that I've seen. Refer to the 'conversation' above.
Our experience
The Bonavita One Touch presented our coffees at their best, and true to character. Not surprising given the level of control noted above. Our dosing ranged from 6 to 7g of coffee per 'cup' as indicated on the water tank.
As I mentioned, the disclaimer is that a lot depends on the user. One of my batches was a failure due to the filter paper being caught on the shower head! Probably falls in the category of rookie mistake.
It seems there are those who like, and those who dislike, the look and feel of the Bonavita One Touch. I'm happy to leave it your personal judgement.
I like the feel and function of the carafe - coffee stayed very hot for much longer than required (refer to 'conversation' above). However, I find it almost impossible to drain completely. This is not a problem if you're happy for coffee dregs to be retained (although they were generally free of sediment). The characteristic is frustrating when cleaning though, and the bowl must be wiped to dry it fully.
Conclusion
I'd recommend putting the Bonavita One Touch on your list if you're looking for a top-shelf coffee experience. Quality demands control, and the unit delivers.
You may have noticed that I've ignored price in this review. I've taken the approach that price is a minor consideration when quality is paramount.
For the record, we purchased ours online and on special through Bombora Coffee & Water Supplies.
RRP is $AU329.