Fellow Prismo Evaluation

I’m a sucker for a kitchen gadget that saves cash, area, 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 espresso pot or perhaps a French press. And since I’m not after amount, I admire crafting a top 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 usually did the job, I do love a latte or different espresso-based drink infrequently. I’m the one espresso drinker in my residence, so it didn’t make sense to speculate cash (or counter area) in an espresso machine, however I did like the concept of having the ability to save a number of {dollars} and fulfill espresso-based cravings at residence. 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 shortly grew to become my ride-or-die caffeinator when the pandemic compelled cafés to shut. Regardless 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 means of my first 12 months of parenthood, the place morning espresso must be sturdy and shortly conjured. 

The Prismo is an attachment for the Aeropress. And whereas the Aeropress makes an awesome, clean 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 means of floor espresso beans, making a small however sturdy 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 guide), and the result’s what Fellow calls an “espresso-style” shot. When the Prismo is used rather than 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 prime of an espresso shot. And the Fellow Prismo is fast: Your entire brewing course of takes simply over a minute as soon as your water is scorching. 

Methods to Use the Fellow Prismo

For a single espresso-style shot, Fellow recommends utilizing contemporary beans, both an espresso mix or a darkish roast, and a ratio of 20 grams of floor espresso to 50 milliliters of water (heated to round 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 shortly to supply 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 provides me a clean and daring cup in comparison with a normal drip espresso maker, although it isn’t fairly as intense as a small shot-style recipe. 

The Fellow Prismo Is Transportable

The Fellow Prismo travels rather well (it weighs a bit over two ounces), and I’ve taken it with me on a number of holidays. It suits simply inside a gallon-sized plastic bag, together with the Aeropress items and a normal 12-ounce bag of espresso. In the event you personal an Aeropress, likelihood is you like espresso sufficient to surrender a bit suitcase area for it on a visit. Since you should use the Aeropress-Prismo combo to brew on prime of any normal mug, each are no-brainer additions to my trip packing record. 

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. Take a look at this text 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 residence. It’s good 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 you can make chilly 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 espresso. 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 simple to scrub?

Completely. It must be hand-washed, however heat water and dish cleaning soap is all you want. You possibly can even press heat soapy water by means of the filter as should 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 mum or dad of a small little one who makes espresso a necessity.
• She has owned the Fellow Prismo since February 2020 and nonetheless makes use of it day by day.