notNeutral GINO & LINO review
If you spend much time percolating around specialty cafes, you’ve probably noticed the drinkware of choice slowly starting to synchronize around sleek, organic looking ceramic cups that are simultaneously hefty and surprisingly comfortable in hand. That’s because these mugs, part of a set called Lino, were designed over several years in conjunction with the coffee talent...
A Hazmat Suit for your Coffee Lid: The Clean Coffee Sabar
A solution in search of a problem? Some might think so, but inventor Bill Levey points to grubby customer & barista fingers – and an Arizona State University study showing that 17% of lids may be contaminated with fecal bacteria – to make a case for design innovation. Of course, this doesn’t solve the problem...
Find of the Day: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle
The Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Electric Kettle (that’s a mouthful) is on sale for $59.99 – a big savings over its usual $99 price. It might look like something out of a Sharper Image catalog, but it’s been designed for coffee connoisseurs. It allows you to set and hold your ideal temperature and pour from...
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Grinder by Robert Welch
Is this the most beautiful hand grinder ever made? I came across this hand mill while doing my usual browse around eBay for good deals on unique coffee gear (keep an eye out for similar things tagged here as “find of the day“). It’s from the 1960’s, created for Victor Cast Ware by British...
Find of the Day: Braun KF20 Aromaster
I’ve posted about the beautiful, retro-futuristic, mid-century modern design of the Braun KF20 before, but now you can pick one up yourself! The piece below is going for $275 USD on Etsy, equipped with a European-style 220V plug. That price is about on par with what I’ve seen at design-centered galleries, though you may get...
Eva Solo Vacuum Coffee Carafe
I’ve been looking for a nice glass-lined thermal carafe for a while now to use at work, so that I can make a batch of coffee in the morning and not have to take time to brew another one later in the day. Or, you know, to consider actually brewing enough to share. I wanted...
Find of the Day: Vintage Kenji Fujita Coffee Carafe
Browsing for interesting coffee makers, I came across this beautiful mid-century modern carafe that looks like it could easily fit modern Kalita wave, V60, or Chemex filters. The ceramic pot with wicker handle was designed in the 1950s by Kenji Fujita for Freeman Lederman, an American ceramic manufacturer. The $385 price is steep, but if...
Holiday Gift Guide & Wishlist for Coffee Lovers
If it seems like every week a new coffee brewer is being touted on gadget blogs or hopeful Kickstarter campaigns, you’re not alone. Most of them aren’t worth writing about, which is why you rarely see them here, but with the holidays coming up I’ve assembled a little list of coffee gear and accessories that...
Korean Cafe Interior Design
When I lived in Korea I tried to find all the cafes in Seoul that were focused on high quality coffee (you can find all of them on my global cafe map), but in the process I visited a bunch that were less than stellar. However, even the least palatable coffees in Korea are often...
HG One – Espresso hand grinder
Most hand grinders (like the Hario and Porlex lines) are made for weight conscious travelers or those looking for a low-cost conical burr grinder. The HG One takes the concept in a new, decidedly higher-end direction. Designers Paul and Craig set out to build the grinder they had always wanted, and the result is this...
Able Brewing Equipment, Inc.
Able Brewing, formerly part of Portland’s Coava Coffee, came to fame with its Kone and Disk metal filters for the Chemex and Aeropress. I use their “Fine” Disk filter for the Aeropress almost everyday and if I ever got a Chemex I’d probably only use it in conjunction with the latest Kone filter. Since spinning...
3FE (Third Floor Espresso) Ireland
3rd Floor Espresso’s owner, Colin Harmon, has won the Irish Barista Championship twice, and both times placed 4th in the World Barista Championship (2009 and 2010) – which is no easy feat! 3FE uses Hasbean coffee, a world class roaster based in the UK, as well as guest roasters. I haven’t had occasion to visit...
