Handpresso - For Espresso On-the-Go

On the go but need a fresh pulled espresso?  Handpresso might help calm those caffiene nerves when you're away from civilization and need your espresso fix.  Uses any E.S.E standard coffee pods.  Order online - shipped from France.

Handpresso  |  99,00 €

By Robert | February 19, 2008 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search Related Tags: espresso, gadget, travel

Solid Espresso Named Best Inventions 2006

Just when you think that there can't be more innovation in food, Ferran Adria's creation of a solid espresso "foam", called Espesso, gets named to Time Magazine's Best Inventions 2006 list.  Popular in Europe since 2002, it's now only available in the US at Lavazza in Chicago, so we'll rely on Movable Feast's Louisa Chu's first hand experience to tell you all about Espesso.

link: Lavazza 

By Robert | November 15, 2006 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

40 Grind Settings with Baratza Virtuoso Grinder

Made in Italy, the Baratza Virtuoso Grinder is a burr-type coffee bean grinder that has 40 different grind settings from espresso to French press.  Order from Illy and you'll get a complimentary can of Illy coffee beans and measuring spoon.  Fully warrantied refurbished Virtuoso grinders ($149) are available directly from Baratza.

Baratza Virtuoso Grinder Kit  |  $200 at Illy 

By Robert | October 26, 2006 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quick Caffeine Fix with JavaJuice

Brand new JavaJuice is a single serve pouch of coffed concentrate where all you need to do is add water.  There you have it - no grinding, no waiting, and no fuss - and you'll have a cup of coffee made to your taste, hot or cold. [via Coolhunting]

Java Juice® is 100% liquid organic coffee extract made in the USA from the finest Arabica coffee beans. Java Juice® contains no chemicals, or preservatives. It is fairly traded, kosher, shade-grown and 100% organic.

Order directly online from JavaJuice.

By Robert | June 21, 2006 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Product Review: Simplehuman Single Cup Pod Brewer

After using our Simplehuman Single Cup Pod Brewer for the past month, we're ready to say that this is one of the better designed coffee pod brewers.  First off, it's just very simple to use, and when you're making just one cup, isn't that what you want?  The water tank is on the side of the machine, and you can choose to fill it by pouring water directly into it, or detaching it and filling at your water dispenser.  We always fill it from our Brita pitcher, and it's a much easier to fill over the Senseo tank which is in the back and you always have to remove it to fill it.

Continue reading "Product Review: Simplehuman Single Cup Pod Brewer"

By Robert | January 31, 2006 in Coffee & Espresso, Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (1)

Swiss Water Process Decaffeinated Single Coffee Pods

Recent diet recommendations has me drinking decaffeinated coffee, and with my recent use of our Simplehuman Single Cup brewer, I went searching for decaffeinated coffee pods, more specifically, I was also directed to use coffees decaffeinated by the Swiss Water Process (SWP) decaffeinating method.  So here's what I found online from coffee roasters who make a single-cup coffee pod with Swiss Water Process decaffeinated coffee.

• Green Mountain Decaf Breakfast Blend
  
• Aloha Island 100% Kona Coffee Decaf Kona-Pods
• JavaPodz Decaf Columbian Supremo
  

By Robert | January 17, 2006 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Simplehuman introduces Single Cup Coffee Maker

Simplehuman has just introduced their own Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer. All their products have a great design look and are well made, so we have high hopes for this product. Our sample is on its way, and we're looking forward to reviewing this newest single cup coffee maker. Stay tuned.

Simplehuman Coffee Pod Brewer | $129 at Amazon.com

By Robert | November 30, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our Senseo Review - A year later

Last year, we were given a Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, and here we are now getting around to our review.  So after a year, the good news is that we're still using the machine.  Of course, the best part of the machine is its convenience of making a single pot without the waste of making a full pot.  And funny enough, we've even used it during dinner parties because we've been able to make custom made cups for individual tastes--dark roast, espresso blend, decaf, etc.

And since we've discovered Kona-Pods, the quality of coffee experience has been improved over the Douwe Egberts brand that Senseo recommends.  Some things we hope they improve is the water storage is accessed from behind, and raising the spout a bit higher for larger cups.  One solution is the larger capacity water tank storage unit that doubles the original capacity.

Overall, Senseo is a nice addition to your kitchen if you want the ease of making a single cup of coffee.

Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine  |  $49 at Amazon

By Robert | November 21, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wonderful Kona Coffee Pods for Your Senseo

Improve your Senseo and single cup coffee maker experience with Kona Coffee Pods

Over the past week, we've been trying Kona coffee pods from Aloha Island Coffee in our Senseo machine.  What a revelation!  Not to knock Douwe Egberts coffee, but using these coffee pods has really brought more enjoyment from our Senseo. 

These Kono pods come in a 20% Kona blend, or in 100% Kona coffee selections packed into single or double serving pods packs.  The taste from these estate coffee beans is clean and rich, and will bring a new dimension to your Senseo experience.

Kona Coffee Pods  |  order direct from Aloha Island Coffee

By Robert | November 15, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special

Coffee was first introduced to the Islands by Chief Boki, the Governor of Oahu, in 1825. He acquired coffee plants in Rio de Janeiro while aboard a British warship, the H.M.S. Blonde. These first coffee plants were planted in Manoa Valley, on Oahu, where they flourished. From this original planting, coffee trees were introduced to locations around the Islands, including the now famous Kona Coast.

Continue reading "What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special"

By Robert | September 27, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coffee & Art at the Illy Galleria NY

Visit the just opened temporary Illy Galleria in NY until it closes December 15th.  We've seen many of these temporary retail concepts recently that gives retailers some buzz and traffic that might not otherwise come with a permanent location.  Illy's NY Galleria is certain to generate some exciting buzz with people who are coffee lovers, art lovers, or "where's the hot scene" lovers.

Get your coffee and bomboloni while you can at Galleria illy in SoHo, which opens tomorrow and closes on Dec. 15, at the end of its lease. With a chandelier of espresso cups overhead, above, coffee lovers can indulge in hot or iced drinks ($2 to $5), along with confections like bomboloni from Osteria del Circo, espresso nuggets from WD-50 and peanut butter sandwich bars from Tru in Chicago ($4 to $6).

The shop has a coffee and art library, a coffee-inspired painting by James Rosenquist, espresso makers to try out, and classes: 382 West Broadway (Broome Street); (877) 455-9347 or illyusa.com.

via NY Times

By Robert | September 14, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso, Gourmet Food Events | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bodum Insulated Glasses for Coffee Lattes

Bodum's Canteen Latte Glasses are made with a unique glass-in-glass technique to allow you to serve hot coffee and tea that's cool to hold without burning.

Bodum Canteen Latte Glasses | $19 for two at Crate and Barrel

By Robert | September 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coffee Made Simple - CafeSolo Coffeemaker

Designed by Eva Denmark, the CafeSolo Coffeemaker makes a pot without any filters or machinery.  Zippered jacket keeps your coffee warm.

Eva Solo Cafe Solo Coffee Maker Gift Set   |  $89 at Cooking.com

By Robert | September 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amazing Latte Art

Months ago I saw the baristas at my local Urth Cafe make these fascinating floral designs in the latte foam of my cappucinos.  Ever since then, I wondered that there must be some name for this art.  I just found out by accident today--it's called "latte art"!  Here's some great links to see the beauty of the latte art form.

• Collection of latte art images via Flickr
• A "how to" at Latte Art 101
• Latte Art Guide via coffeegeek.com
• Enter $1000 Latte Art Competition at Coffee Fest Seattle, October 28-30 2005
• How-to video "Caffe Latte Art"

Latte Pour photo courtesy of tonx.

Read More:  Espresso & Coffee  |  Chocolate

By Robert | August 23, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (1)

Specialty Coffee Pods for Your Espresso Machines

Looking for different specialty coffees to try in your espresso machines, and tired of the manufacturer's specified coffee pods?  We were too. 

We're so happy to have found Podhead.com, a company that meets the need for those of us wanting to try a wider variety of coffees in our espresso machines.  At Podhead, you'll find coffee pods for the Melitta One, Bunn's My Cafe, and Philips Senseo machines.  The selection ranges from Arabica, Brasil, Costa Rica, to Kona, Kenya & Organic Colombia coffees.

Visit Podhead.com to find a specialty coffee pod for your espresso machine.

Related Link:  The single shot espresso market has grown to form it's own standards.  For more information, visit the Easy Serving Espresso Consortium.

By Robert | August 1, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)