espresso

A great gift is a high quality conical burr grinder. Even if your coffee lover who already grinds their own beans - which is the very easiest way to ensure that you're getting all the flavor you can from them - can benefit from the increase precision offered by a machine like the KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder. $200.

We haven't seen any additions to the Z-series line from Jura for quite some time, though there are several machines out, but the Jura-Capresso Z-Series Cup Warmer is an interesting accessory for the collection. The free-standing kitchen gadget allows you to quickly and conveniently heat your espresso cups, which results in better tasting shots that hold heat longer than the would in an unwarmed cup. Some espresso machines have a cup-warmed built into the top, but that only allows for a handful of glasses to be heated, while this warmer can hand 24 espresso cups or 16 coffee cups at once. Price: $1000.

Not everyone out there is a big espresso fan and even those who enjoy a perfectly pulled shot sometimes just want to have a cup of coffee to sip while they are sitting reading the paper or working away at their desk. The new DeLonghi Primadonna coffee maker gives a coffee-drinker all the options that an expensive espresso maker offers, including an automatic milk steamer, ways to adjust the strength and amount of coffee in each pour and even enables users to regulate the heat of the finished beverage. The grinder is automatic, but you can calibrate it to the appropriate fineness for the beans you are using. It also has an automatic washing cycle. Price: $2,305.

[via appliancist]

Perhaps I shouldn't go so far as to say that coordinating dinnerware is overrated, but these Geo Espresso Cups are definitely more visually appealing than the average matched set. The four white porcelain cup and saucer pairs all feature a different geometric design that has been adapted in to cup form. While you can use them to serve espresso, they would also make great individual servings of creme brulees or tiny pot de creme at a holiday dinner party. Price: £55.

Easily one of the most stylish espresso machines on the market, even sleeker than the eye-candy Francis Francis machines, the Diva Espresso Machine, by Bugatti. The unit is made of die-cast aluminum with a chromed finish, has a 15-bar pump for quick extraction and a fast startup time for the built-in heating elements. The machine pulls two shots at a time, either through fresh packed grounds or pods, and has an attached steam wand for frothing milk, a process which is helped along by the easy-to-read gauge in the front of the machine that clearly marks the appropriate temperature ranges for pulling shots and steaming milk. Price: €650 ($825).

The Siemens Nespresso machine by Porche Design is a fully automatic espresso maker that does everything a the touch of a button. Traditionalists might frown on using an automatic machine instead of a manual, but the automatic has an advantage in that it is very consistent, while the performance of a manual machine relies heavily on the skill of the user. This machine has 19 bars of pressure, automatic volume control (for espresso vs cappuccino), a digital display that offers eight different languages and a steam want that can easily be adjusted to either latte or cappuccino frothing. The only real drawback is that the machine uses pods instead of real ground coffee. The list price is $1,549 Swiss Francs, or about $1,263.

The Serse Freddo Glasses from Illy were designed by Italian artist Serse Roma, inspired by the waves of the Adriatic Sea. Illy generally concentrates on hot espresso cups, these silver-etched crystal glasses are made for cold drinks. Use them to serve espresso over ice or, for the ultimate coffee indulgence, make an affogato by putting a small scoop of ice cream or gelato in the base of the cup and topping it with a shot of hot espresso. The glasses come in sets of two, packaged in a gift box, with a can of Illy espresso. Price: $60.

Gaggia is one of the most respected names in espresso today, and for the use of home espresso machines we can thank Achilles Gaggia, who patented the first electric pump motor - vital for consistently creating enough pressure to produce good espresso - in 1938. Prior to this invention, the operators of manual espresso machines used pistons to manually adjust the pressure - The Gaggia Achilles is named after the man. It is almost identical to the design used back in the 1930s, a lever-operated machine with a stainless steel body, chromed brass group head and filter and a 32-oz water reservoir. The machine performs best with freshly roasted and ground beans, but will also work with special espresso pods, though if you're going to get a Gaggia, it is worth knowing the intricacies of the coffee bean as well as the machine itself. Price: $1,499.95.

Audi's concept car, the Roadjet, is getting another state-of-the-art optional accessory: an espresso machine. The espresso machine will sit on the central arm rest, between the front driver and passenger seats. It is made by WMF, which stated that the machine is completely automatic and fully functional, ready to deliver coffee at the touch of a button. It does not appear to have a milk frother, though steaming milk is probably a bit dangerous to do in a car, anyway. No pricing yet, but I can imagine that drivers with long commutes would jump at the chance to have this by their side in the early morning.

[Via New Launches]

Miniature versions of things are often very cute, so it's not a shock when people ohh and ahh over animals. Small size and human-like qualities , combined with dashing good looks, makes pets all the more endearing. This may be part of the reason that pets are often considered to be part of the family, and family members need to me taken care of. Would you make a family member sleep on a pillow in the corner? I think not. A small, cute family member needs a small, cute bed. Dog beds are not only designed to be comfortable for your pet, but to match the decor in your home. This Saigon Day Bed is the perfect example. It comes in hardwood espresso and cherry finishes and is elegant enough to look good in any home. The removable microsuede pillows (not included) come in 22 different color options. It's is just the right size for small dogs, or even a cat, if you can get him to sit still long enough to enjoy it. Price: $298.