Coffee Gear, Pt. 5: One-Year Update on Jonathan’s Coffee Setup & Journey

Coffee Gear, Pt. 5: One-Year Update on Jonathan’s Coffee Setup & Journey

Author: BLISTER August 21, 2025 Duration: 1:17:25

What happens when an obsessive gear reviewer dives headfirst into the expansive world of espresso? It’s now been over a year since our last update on Jonathan Ellsworth’s coffee journey, so Eli and he talk about what’s new in his setup; what he’s learned (or rejected) from the depths of coffee videos and online forums; and whether this whole thing has been a brilliant pursuit of flavor, or just an expensive rabbit hole.

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Craft Collective

Become a BLISTER+ Member

In Search of the ‘Best’ Coffee Gear, Pt 1 (Ep.19)

In Search of the 'Best' Coffee Gear (& Ski Boots), Pt. 2 (Ep.20)

Drinking Gold: Coffee Gear, Pt. 3, with ON3P Skis’ founder, Scott Andrus (Ep.25)

Coffee Gear, Pt. 4: “Hero Espresso” & Jonathan’s Current Setup (Ep.43)

TOPICS & TIMES:

The Significance of Coffee Gear (1:14)

Espresso Techniques and Preferences (4:19)

Exploring Coffee Beans and Roasts (8:33)

Adjusting Techniques for Optimal Flavor (17:23)

Consistency in Coffee Preparation (21:40)

Decaf Discoveries and Coffee Preferences (30:28)

Espresso Pressure: The Great Debate (30:28)

Personal Taste vs. Internet Trends (33:00)

Reflections on Coffee Gear Purchases (38:59)

The Importance of Quality in Coffee Gear (47:02)

The Importance of Precision in Espresso Making (51:32)

The Role of Milk in Coffee Drinks (56:30)

Exploring New Coffee Techniques and Equipment (59:43)

Finding Happiness in Coffee Rituals (1:02:00)

Return on Investment in Coffee Equipment (1:04:02)

The Impact of Coffee Chains on Quality (1:08:33)

SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

GEAR:30

Blister Podcast

BLISTER NEWSLETTER:

Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 109

CRAFTED
Podcast Episodes
The Current State of Alcohol, with Eli Brown & Jonathan Ellsworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:28
Jonathan Ellsworth talks about this very big topic with someone who is in quite a unique position to have this conversation with: Eli Brown, a 26-year-old sommelier who is also certified in mixology and distilled spirits…
The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
Today, you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine…
Our Reviewers' 2024 Craft Obsessions & 2025 Curiosities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:59
Happy New Year! Today, we are sharing the craft categories that most captivated some of our Blister reviewers in 2024, and revealing some of the categories they are most curious about heading into 2025.And over on our Bl…
Scott Rao on Quality, Q Ratings, & Coffee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:50
Scott Rao is one of the most influential people in the world of coffee, coffee roasting, and coffee brewing. Scott is also the owner of Prodigal Coffee (located in Boulder, Colorado), and in this conversation, we dive de…
Studio Shed w/ Mike Koenig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:49
Studio Shed was started in the Boulder, Colorado backyard of their co-founder Jeremy Nova, a pro mountain biker and Olympian. Jeremy needed a place to store all his bikes and was uninspired by what was available, so he b…
Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:40
Camper vans seem to be everywhere these days, and for good reason — the level of versatility and convenience they offer is hard to ignore. But starting down the road of ownership can be extremely overwhelming, so in toda…
Chef Mark Connell on Skiing & High-End Cuisine (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:10
“My whole goal in life was to be a ski bum and a chef.” For Mark Connell, the executive chef at PARC Aspen, we can definitely say: mission accomplished. Mark is a passionate skier and a culinary genius, and we discuss ho…