Tag Archives: coffee

The Cutest (or Creepiest) Coffee Maker You’ll Ever Own

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One of the things that is on my soon to buy for this year is a moka pot. I’ve been intrigued about this Italian way of brewing an espresso-like coffee through steam pressure. It’s obviously cheaper than an actual espresso machine and some coffee lovers have said that it tastes even better since it’s a more “natural” way of pulling the espresso shot. There are some interesting colors out there but the design has remained relatively the same. It’s like when you see one moka pot, you’ve seen them all.

This product concept by Davide Bozzo wants to reimagine the iconic Moka pot and turn it into something both functional and whimsical. The MOKY blurs the line between industrial design and art collectible as it is designed to look like the Tin Man is brewing your coffee for you.

Designer: Davide Bozzo

The pot’s design is that of a metallic figure sitting down and just waiting to be steamed to give you the perfect cup. It comes complete with a face and limbs which may freak some people out or which some may find really cute, depending on how you feel about anthropomorphic objects.

While it looks cute or scary, it still comes from authentic Italian design heritage with its fresh, modern metallic aesthetic. This combination of the metallic soul and the modern reinterpretation means it’s something that’s meant to be displayed and not hidden in your cabinet, even when you’re not brewing a cup.

What makes MOKY particularly interesting is how it taps into the growing art toy market. If you’ve been following design trends lately, you’ve probably noticed how collectible designer toys have exploded in popularity. These pieces aren’t just for kids or hardcore collectors anymore. They’ve become legitimate design objects that sit comfortably on shelves next to books, plants, and other carefully curated décor items. MOKY fits perfectly into this space because it offers something most art toys don’t: actual functionality.

Think about it. Most collectible figures just sit there looking pretty, which is fine, but MOKY actually does something. Every morning when you brew your coffee, you’re interacting with your art piece. It becomes part of your daily ritual, which creates a deeper connection to the object than something that just gathers dust on a shelf. There’s something really special about design that serves multiple purposes, especially when it does both jobs so well.

The fact that it’s designed in Milan also adds another layer of credibility. Milan isn’t just any city. It’s the global capital of design, home to some of the world’s most prestigious design schools and the famous Milan Design Week. When something comes from Milan, it carries a certain weight, a promise that real thought and expertise went into its creation. Davide Bozzo isn’t just slapping a face on a coffee maker and calling it art. He’s taking a beloved cultural icon and genuinely reimagining it for a new generation of design enthusiasts.

For collectors, MOKY represents something truly unique in a market that’s often saturated with similar concepts. It’s not another vinyl figure of a popular character. It’s not a recolor of an existing design. It’s a fresh take on something familiar, which is exactly what makes great design collectibles so appealing. You get the joy of recognition combined with the thrill of discovery. Plus, as coffee culture continues to thrive and people invest more in their home brewing setups, pieces like MOKY become conversation starters that bridge multiple interests.

Whether MOKY ever makes it to production remains to be seen, but as a concept, it perfectly captures where design is heading: playful, functional, collectible, and unafraid to reimagine the classics. It proves that even the most traditional objects can be transformed into something that makes you smile every morning while still honoring what made them special in the first place. And honestly, isn’t that exactly what good design should do?

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Artly Robots Master Latte Art and Drinks for CES 2026 Debut

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People gather around a robot arm in a café, half for the drink and half for the performance. Most automation in food and beverage still feels either like a vending machine or a novelty, and the real challenge is capturing the craft of a skilled barista or maker, not just the motion of pushing buttons. The difference between a decent latte and a great one often comes down to subtle pressure, timing, and feel.

Artly treats robots less like appliances and more like students in a trade school, learning from human experts through motion capture, multi-camera video, and explanation. At CES 2026, that philosophy shows up in two compact robots, the mini BaristaBot and the Bartender, both built on the same AI arm platform but trained for different kinds of counters. Together, they make a case for automation that respects the shape of the work instead of flattening it.

Designer: Artly AI

Click here to know more.

mini BaristaBot: A 4×4 ft Café That Learns from Champions

The mini BaristaBot is a fully autonomous café squeezed into a 4 × 4 ft footprint, designed for high-traffic, labor-constrained spaces like airports, offices, and retail corners. One articulated arm handles the entire barista workflow, from grinding and tamping to brewing, steaming, and pouring, with the same attention to detail you would expect from a human who has spent years behind a machine. “At first, I thought making coffee was easy, but after talking to professional baristas, we realized it is not simple at all. There are a lot of details and nuances that go into making a good cup of coffee,” says Meng Wang, CEO of Artly.

The arm is trained on demonstrations from real baristas, including a U.S. Barista Champion, with Artly’s Skill Engine breaking down moves into reusable blocks like grabbing, pouring, and shaping. Those blocks are recombined into recipes, so the robot can reproduce nuanced techniques such as milk texturing and latte art, and adapt to different menus without rewriting code from scratch or relying on rigid workflows. “Our goal is not to automate for its own sake. Our goal is to recreate an authentic, specific experience, whether it is specialty coffee or any other craft, and to build robots that can work like those experts,” Wang explains.

“The training in our environment is not just about action: it is about judgment, and a lot of that judgment is visual. You have to teach the robot what good frothing or good pouring looks like, and sometimes you even have to show it bad examples so it understands the difference.” That depth of teaching separates Artly’s approach from simpler automation. The engineering layer uses food-grade stainless steel and modular commercial components, wrapped in a warm, wood-clad shell that looks more like a small kiosk than industrial equipment.

A built-in digital kiosk handles ordering, while Artly’s AI stack combines real-time motion planning, computer vision, sensor fusion, and anomaly detection to keep quality consistent and operation safe in public spaces where people stand close and watch the whole process. “Our platform is like a recording machine for skills. We can record the skills of a specific person and let the robot repeat exactly that person’s way of doing things,” which means a café chain can effectively bottle a champion’s technique and deploy it consistently across multiple sites.

The ecosystem supports plug-and-play deployment, with remote monitoring, over-the-air updates, and centralized fleet management. A larger refrigerator and modular countertops in finishes like maple, white oak, and walnut let operators match different interiors. For a venue, that means specialty coffee without building a full bar, and for customers, it means a consistent drink and a bit of theater every time they walk up.

Bartender: The Same Arm, Trained for a Different Counter

The Bartender is an extension of the same idea, using the Artly AI Arm and Skill Engine to handle precise, hand-driven tasks behind a counter. Instead of focusing on espresso and milk, the robot learns careful measurement, shaking, or stirring techniques, and finishing touches that depend on timing and presentation, all captured from human experts and turned into repeatable workflows. “If the robot learns the technique of a champion, it can repeat that same pattern at different locations. No matter where it performs, it will always create the same result that person did,” Wang notes.

Dexterity is the key differentiator. The Bartender uses a dexterous robotic hand and wrist-mounted vision to pick up delicate garnishes, handle glassware, and move through sequences that normally require a trained pair of hands. The same imitation-learning approach that taught the BaristaBot to pour latte art is now applied to more complex motions, so the arm can execute them smoothly and consistently in a busy environment.

For a hospitality space, the Bartender offers a way to standardize recipes, maintain quality during peak hours, and free human staff to focus on conversation and creativity rather than repetitive prep. Because it shares hardware and software with the BaristaBot, it fits into the same remote monitoring and fleet-management framework, making it easier to run multiple robotic stations across locations without reinventing operational infrastructure for each new skill type.

Artly AI at CES 2026: From Robot Coffee to a Skill Engine for Craft

The mini BaristaBot and the Bartender are not just two clever machines; they are early examples of what happens when a universal skill engine and a capable arm are pointed at crafts that usually live in human hands. For designers and operators, that means automation that respects the shape of the work, and for visitors at CES 2026, it is a glimpse of a future where robots learn from experts and then quietly keep that craft alive, one cup or glass at a time, without demanding that every venue become bigger or that every drink become simpler just to fit a machine.

Click here to know more.

The post Artly Robots Master Latte Art and Drinks for CES 2026 Debut first appeared on Yanko Design.

MokaMax Packs a Pressure Brewer Into a Ridged Stainless Travel Mug

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Portable coffee gear is usually a compromise. Compact brewers come with plungers, filters, cups, and lids that rattle around in a bag, and making a decent cup on the go often means unpacking a small chemistry set. After brewing, you clean it all in a cramped sink or a trailside stream. MokaMax is a response to that friction, aiming to keep the ritual but lose the clutter by collapsing everything into a single cylinder.

MokaMax is a portable coffee maker that positions itself as a true successor to Pipamoka, promising rich espresso-style coffee anywhere. It is designed for wanderers who move between libraries, trains, and mountain trails, and want one object that brews and carries coffee without a bag full of accessories. The idea is a single, rugged cylinder that feels like a travel mug but hides a full pressure-brewing system inside.

Designer: Somya Chowdhary

The distinctive ridged stainless-steel body gives fingers a secure place to rest and helps the mug blend in with other rugged gear. The ridges went through several iterations to balance grip and comfort, avoiding sharp edges or overly complex profiles. A flexible rope loops through the top, letting you clip MokaMax to a bag or hang it from a hook, reinforcing its role as part of a mobile kit that lives outside rather than just on a desk.

The brewing sequence is straightforward. Drop in a filter pod, add ground coffee, pour hot water, stir, close the top, rotate to filter using the pressure mechanism, then separate the top and drink. The pressure chamber and top cap fasten together and can be stowed upside down as one piece, so you are not chasing loose parts around a campsite or office kitchen when you just want a second cup.

The internal architecture breaks down into three main compartments: the pressure chamber, the coffee mug, and the top assembly with plunger and filter pod. Each section is easy to clean, and the decomposable coffee filter pods can be thrown away after use, cutting down on rinsing and scrubbing in awkward places. The “fewer parts, fewer headaches” philosophy keeps the system simple without compromising the quality of the brew or the convenience of the mug.

MokaMax is machined from food-grade stainless steel, which handles heat, knocks, and daily abuse better than plastic. The special edition black powder-coated finish leans into the rugged aesthetic, and the metal construction helps it feel like a long-term tool rather than a seasonal gadget. The combination of steel, rope, and compact form makes it feel at home in a backpack or on a desk, ready for whatever kind of wandering comes next.

MokaMax tries to change not the taste of coffee, but the friction around making it when you are away from a kitchen. By collapsing a pressure brewer and travel mug into one ridged cylinder with three main parts, it nudges portable coffee gear closer to the simplicity of a water bottle, turning the ritual into something that fits the rhythm of a day spent moving without demanding much attention or bag space.

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This EDC Grinder Makes Every Coffee an Adventure

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For years, the manual coffee grinder was a necessary evil. If you wanted the freshest, best-tasting cup outside of a cafe, you had to accept a bulky plastic device or a fragile piece of glass and wood. These tools often felt clumsy, lacking the refinement and durability that modern consumers have come to expect from their high-use items.

Enter the VSSL Java G25, a manual coffee grinder that doesn’t just promise a better cup; it promises a better, more rugged, and far more stylish experience. It represents a shift in thinking, elevating the grinding process from a tedious chore to an enjoyable, tactile ritual. Truth be told, I still can’t figure out the grind settings on most of the complicated, dials-and-knobs grinders that I see in the market. I probably would love to learn all these things, even if there are supposedly 50 distinct settings. The G25 somehow makes the learning curve feel like part of the adventure, a welcome challenge to master a finely tuned instrument.

Designer: VSSL

VSSL, a company known for building essential survival and gear kits into handsome, nearly indestructible canisters, has applied that same obsessive engineering mindset to the coffee ritual. Their design philosophy is clear: utility should never compromise aesthetics, and durability is non-negotiable. The result is a device that feels less like a kitchen tool and more like high-end outdoor equipment you’d find clipped to a mountaineer’s pack. Constructed from 6061 machined aircraft grade aluminum and 304 food-grade stainless steel, this grinder is built for abuse, making it equally at home on a clean, granite kitchen countertop or a cold, granite mountain outcrop. Its sleek, black cylindrical form factor is compact, ergonomic, and unapologetically cool, fitting perfectly into the gear aesthetic that dominates modern tech and design circles. It’s a piece of gear you want to show off.

But the G25’s appeal extends far beyond its rugged good looks and durable exterior. Inside that resilient shell lies the heart of a true barista tool, engineered for uncompromising performance. The quest for the perfect grind is a core obsession in the coffee world because flavor extraction is utterly dependent on particle size consistency. VSSL delivered this crucial consistency by incorporating high carbon 420 stainless steel conical burrs stabilized by dual bearings. This is the hardware that ensures the particle size of your coffee grounds is uniform—the single biggest factor in extracting a delicious, balanced flavor without the bitterness of fines or the sourness of boulders. For those of us who appreciate precision engineering, the detail of dual bearings stabilizing the central axle is paramount; it’s the mechanical assurance of quality.

Crucially, the G25 offers 50 distinct grind settings. This level of granular control is usually reserved for professional-grade electric models that take up half your countertop. Having 50 click adjustments means the user can dial in the perfect setting for literally any brewing method. Whether you are aiming for the coarse texture required for a full-immersion French press, the near-powder fine consistency for a demanding espresso shot, the medium grit for a precise pour over, or anything in between, a quick, audible adjustment is all it takes. This expansive range eliminates the guesswork and the frustration of inferior grinders, transforming the often-frustrating manual grind into a satisfyingly accurate and repeatable process.

The features engineered specifically for portability truly elevate this grinder into a must-have piece of everyday tech. The handle, which expands during use to increase leverage and make the grind effortless even for light roasts, quickly retracts and cleverly doubles as a secure, locking carabiner. This isn’t just a convenient detail; it is a profound design choice that signals the product’s dual purpose: serious quality both at home and on the move. The magnetic integration keeps the grinder knob securely attached within the catch when stored, and a quick push-release top cap allows fast access to the 30-gram bean hopper—enough capacity to fuel a substantial morning ritual. Measuring only 6.3 inches long with a neat two-inch diameter, the entire unit is designed to nest seamlessly with popular travel brewing systems like the AeroPress Go.

The VSSL Java G25 is a beautiful merging of two powerful cultural trends: the rising demand for specialty, quality, at-home coffee, and the desire for durable, highly designed, and adventure-ready gear. It speaks directly to the person who refuses to compromise on quality, whether they are settling into their home office for the day or setting out for a weekend in the wild. It’s more than just a grinder; it’s an essential, beautifully executed piece of modern carry that promises a perfect cup, no matter where you are.

The post This EDC Grinder Makes Every Coffee an Adventure first appeared on Yanko Design.

7 Best Coffee & Tea Gifts Every Caffeine Connoisseur Needs This Holiday Season

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The holiday season presents the perfect moment to celebrate coffee and tea enthusiasts in your life with gifts that transform daily brewing rituals into extraordinary experiences. These thoughtfully curated selections represent the pinnacle of design innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship. From precision temperature control to ergonomic comfort, each carefully chosen piece elevates the ordinary act of drinking into something truly sublime for today’s most discerning caffeine connoisseurs everywhere.

Whether your loved one is a methodical pour-over purist or an adventurous flavor explorer, these gifts promise to awaken their senses and inspire deeper appreciation for their beloved beverages. Each selection has been carefully chosen for its ability to enhance the daily rituals of coffee and tea consumption, transforming routine caffeine breaks into moments of genuine pleasure and sophisticated appreciation that will be treasured for many years ahead.

1. Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric Pour-Over Kettle

The Fellow Stagg EKG Pro represents the evolution of precision brewing technology, engineered specifically for pour-over coffee perfection. Its signature gooseneck spout delivers unmatched control over flow rate and stream consistency, while the to-the-degree temperature control heats and holds water exactly as programmed. The high-resolution color display allows complete customization of brewing schedules, altitude adjustments, and temperature units through intuitive navigation.

This kettle transcends basic functionality through its WiFi connectivity and advanced scheduling capabilities that adapt to your lifestyle. The precision spout ensures optimal water saturation of coffee grounds, while the rapid heating system brings water to target temperatures faster than traditional stovetop methods. The sleek industrial design complements modern kitchen aesthetics, while the hold function maintains perfect brewing temperature for extended periods without energy waste.

Click Here to Buy Now

What we like

• WiFi updates keep the kettle current with new features and improvements.

• Scheduling function allows pre-programmed brewing times for morning convenience.

What we dislike

• Premium price point significantly exceeds basic electric kettles.

• WiFi connectivity requires a stable internet connection for full functionality.

2. Ceramic Cup

The ceramic cup transforms the mechanical act of drinking into a mindful, meditative experience through its thoughtful Japanese-inspired design. Crafted from premium Japanese ceramic with a natural wood handle, this 12-ounce vessel mimics the appearance of traditional cast iron while delivering the smooth, cool texture of refined ceramics. The earthy aesthetic creates an immediate sense of calm, encouraging users to slow down and truly savor their beverages.

The humble yet sophisticated design philosophy behind this mug emphasizes the beauty found in simplicity and natural materials. Each cup is individually crafted, ensuring subtle variations that make every piece unique while maintaining consistent quality and functionality. The wooden handle stays comfortable during extended use, while the ceramic construction retains heat effectively without becoming uncomfortably hot to touch.

Click Here to Buy Now: $60.00

What we like

• Japanese ceramic construction provides superior heat retention and durability.

• Zen-inspired design promotes mindful drinking and stress reduction.

What we dislike

• Hand-wash only requirement creates additional maintenance considerations.

• Cannot be microwaved, limiting convenience for reheating beverages.

3. Three Cup Handblown CHEMEX

The handblown CHEMEX represents the pinnacle of artisanal coffee brewing equipment, where each piece is individually crafted by skilled glassblowers in Croatia. These stunning vessels combine scientific precision with artistic beauty, creating unique works of functional art that transform every brewing session into a ceremonial experience. The small-batch production ensures exceptional quality control while celebrating traditional European glassmaking techniques.

The borosilicate glass construction matches laboratory-grade standards, ensuring complete flavor neutrality while withstanding thermal shock from hot water pours. When paired with scientifically designed CHEMEX Bonded filters, this system removes fats, bitterness, acidity, and sediments that compromise coffee clarity and taste. The polished wood collar with leather tie adds an elegant tactile element while providing safe handling of the heated vessel.

Click Here to Buy Now

What we like

• Each piece is individually handblown, making every CHEMEX a unique work of art.

• Scientifically designed filters produce exceptionally clean, bright coffee flavors.

What we dislike

• Handblown glass construction makes replacement difficult and expensive.

• Requires specialized CHEMEX filters that cost more than standard alternatives.

4. Smart Tea Pot

This revolutionary smart teapot transforms tea preparation through cutting-edge sensor technology that personalizes every cup based on physiological and environmental factors. Six advanced sensors continuously monitor heart rate, finger temperature, and ambient conditions to tailor brewing parameters automatically. The app-connected system eliminates guesswork by selecting optimal steeping times, water temperatures, and tea-to-water ratios for different varieties. The technology creates a harmonious symphony of flavor and aroma that adapts to individual preferences and moods.

The personalized brewing experience extends beyond simple temperature control, analyzing biometric data to determine whether you need energizing or calming tea preparations. Professional-grade results become accessible to home users through intelligent automation that learns from usage patterns. The sleek design integrates seamlessly with modern kitchen technology, while the intuitive app interface makes sophisticated brewing techniques approachable for beginners and experts alike.

Click Here to Buy Now: $349.00

What we like

• Biometric sensors create truly personalized tea experiences based on physical state.

• App connectivity provides access to extensive tea knowledge and brewing guides.

What we dislike

• Complex technology may intimidate traditional tea brewing enthusiasts.

• Dependence on app functionality could limit use during technical issues.

5. Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

The Baratza Encore stands as the industry standard for entry-level burr grinding, recommended by professional baristas worldwide for its consistent particle size distribution across 40 distinct grind settings. This versatile grinder accommodates every brewing method from cold brew coarse to espresso fine with simple hopper adjustments. The conical burr mechanism produces uniform grounds that extract evenly, eliminating the bitter over-extraction and sour under-extraction common with blade grinders.

Built for longevity, the Encore’s components are engineered to withstand approximately ten years of regular home use while maintaining grinding precision. The thermal overload protection prevents motor damage during extended grinding sessions, while the large capacity hopper reduces the frequency of bean refills. User-serviceable parts and readily available replacements ensure this grinder remains functional throughout its extended lifespan, making it an exceptional long-term investment for serious coffee enthusiasts.

Click Here to Buy Now

What we like

• Forty grind settings accommodate every brewing method from French press to espresso.

• Ten-year expected lifespan with user-serviceable parts provides exceptional value.

What we dislike

• Larger footprint requires dedicated counter space in compact kitchens.

• Some grind retention between different bean types can waste premium coffee.

6. Ember Temperature Control Tumbler

The Ember Tumbler redefines portable beverage consumption through precise temperature control technology that maintains drinks at optimal warmth for up to three hours. This 16-ounce vessel represents Ember’s largest capacity offering, featuring their most advanced Bluetooth chip for improved connectivity and simplified pairing processes. The durable stainless steel construction withstands daily use while remaining fully submersible up to one meter, making cleaning effortless and worry-free.

The innovative dual-lid system provides versatility for different usage scenarios, with both leak-proof Handle Lid and spill-proof Sliding Lid options included. Temperature precision eliminates the common problems of drinks becoming too cold or remaining dangerously hot, creating consistently pleasant drinking experiences. The tumbler fits standard car cup holders while maintaining elegant aesthetics that complement professional and casual environments equally well.

Click Here to Buy

What we like

• Three-hour battery life maintains perfect drinking temperature throughout extended use.

• Dual lid system adapts to different activities and spill-prevention needs.

What we dislike

• Premium pricing significantly exceeds traditional insulated travel mugs.

• Electronic components require careful handling despite water-resistant construction.

7. ErgoCup Redesigned Coffee Mug

The ErgoCup revolutionizes traditional mug design through ergonomic innovation that eliminates the joint strain and awkward positioning associated with conventional handles. The breakthrough open-ended handle allows natural palm placement while fingers wrap comfortably around the vessel without forcing unnatural grip positions. This design philosophy prioritizes long-term comfort during extended drinking sessions, making it ideal for office workers and leisurely coffee enthusiasts alike.

The integrated flange concept provides subtle thumb and hand support, distributing weight more evenly across the palm while reducing pressure on individual joints. The ergonomic benefits become particularly apparent during longer drinking sessions, where traditional handles can cause discomfort and cramping. The thoughtful design makes holding feel effortless and natural, as though the cup wants to be held rather than fighting against your grip.

Click Here to Buy

What we like

• Open-ended handle design eliminates joint strain during extended use.

• Weight distribution flange reduces pressure on individual fingers and joints.

What we dislike

• Unconventional design may require an adjustment period for traditional mug users.

• Limited availability compared to standard mug designs in retail environments.

The Perfect Holiday Collection for Discerning Tastes

These seven exceptional gifts represent the perfect intersection of innovative design, functional excellence, and aesthetic beauty for discerning caffeine enthusiasts everywhere. From the precision engineering of temperature control systems to the artisanal craftsmanship of handblown glass, these carefully selected pieces cater to every aspect of sophisticated coffee and tea appreciation. Each thoughtfully chosen item transforms ordinary beverage consumption into moments of genuine pleasure and deeply mindful appreciation for quality craftsmanship.

Whether seeking to upgrade brewing equipment, enhance drinking comfort, or explore new flavor territories, these gifts promise to delight and inspire the most discerning coffee and tea enthusiasts throughout the holiday season and beyond. Each selection offers lasting value that extends far beyond the initial unwrapping, providing years of enhanced beverage experiences that celebrate the artistry behind exceptional drinks while creating memorable moments of daily indulgence and truly sophisticated appreciation.

The post 7 Best Coffee & Tea Gifts Every Caffeine Connoisseur Needs This Holiday Season first appeared on Yanko Design.

AeroPress Made a Coffee Grinder That Fits Inside the Plunger

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Manual grinders designed for travel usually give up something important to stay portable. Compact versions use cheaper burrs that grind unevenly, producing bitter coffee no matter how carefully you brew it. Premium grinders with Italian burrs deliver consistent results but end up too bulky for backpacks, forcing you to choose between bringing mediocre equipment or leaving the grinder at home and buying pre-ground beans that taste stale before the bag even opens.

AeroPress’s new manual grinder fits completely inside the AeroPress plunger without any parts sticking out or requiring disassembly beyond detaching the magnetic handle. Italian titanium-coated burrs handle everything from espresso-fine to French press coarse across sixty distinct settings. The all-metal construction weighs enough to feel serious without becoming awkward to pack alongside other camping gear or travel essentials that compete for limited bag space.

Designer: AeroPress

The body uses knurled aluminum with vertical ridges that provide grip when your hands are cold or slightly damp from washing beans. Dark gray metal keeps it looking professional instead of cheap. The catch holds twenty-five grams, which matches single-dose brewing perfectly and eliminates the waste that comes from grinding more coffee than you actually need for one cup or pot.

Grind adjustment happens through a numbered dial that clicks between sixty settings spanning the full range from powder-fine espresso to chunky cold brew. The grinder ships preset to medium-fine, which works immediately for AeroPress without fiddling with settings first. Twist coarser for French press. Dial finer for moka pot or espresso. The changes happen quickly without tools or confusing calibration steps that make adjusting grind size feel like solving a puzzle.

The handle attaches magnetically when you’re grinding and slides into a groove along the body when you’re done, where magnets hold it flat against the metal surface. This lets the entire grinder collapse into a cylinder that fits inside the AeroPress plunger without anything jutting out awkwardly. Pull it out, snap the handle on, grind your beans, and brew using two pieces of gear that nest together the whole trip.

Dual bearings inside the crank mechanism keep grinding smoothly enough that your arm doesn’t tire halfway through processing a full dose. The long handle provides leverage that makes each rotation easier compared to compact grinders with short cranks that require more effort and more turns to process the same amount of beans. This matters early mornings when you’re not fully awake yet or outdoors when cold air makes everything feel harder.

Cleaning requires no tools beyond the included brushes that sweep out residual grounds from the burr chamber and catch. The all-metal construction handles temperature swings and outdoor conditions better than grinders with plastic parts that crack when cold or warp inside hot cars. The lifetime warranty on the burr set suggests AeroPress expects this grinder to last years of regular use without degrading performance.

The grinder extends what AeroPress does well into the grinding stage, giving users who already trust the company’s brewers a matching tool that shares the same design priorities around portability, build quality, and making excellent coffee. The combination of premium burrs, thoughtful engineering, and genuine compactness makes it one of the few manual grinders that actually delivers on portability claims without compromising the grind consistency serious coffee brewing demands daily.

The post AeroPress Made a Coffee Grinder That Fits Inside the Plunger first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hand-Cast Moka Pot Looks Like a Turbine and Brews 20% Faster

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Moka pots have stayed remarkably consistent since their invention, maintaining the same octagonal silhouette and brewing method across generations. They produce rich, concentrated coffee reliably, but the process demands patience while water heats slowly and pressure builds gradually. Most models sit on stovetops for several minutes burning gas or electricity, which adds up over daily use and feels inefficient for such a simple task.

Turbo Moka by Matteo Frontini keeps the familiar moka pot experience while addressing the energy and time issues through a redesigned base. A helical spiral wraps around the lower chamber, increasing the surface area exposed to heat and allowing water to reach brewing temperature faster. The design maintains the ritual and flavor people expect from moka coffee while cutting brew time by roughly twenty percent and reducing energy consumption proportionally.

Designer: Matteo Frontini

The spiral base looks almost like turbine fins or the fluting on a classical column, creating visual movement even when the pot sits still. This geometry serves practical purposes beyond aesthetics, channeling heat more efficiently through the aluminum body and distributing it evenly around the water chamber. The increased contact area with the stovetop means less waiting and less wasted heat escaping into the kitchen air instead of brewing coffee.

Each pot gets cast individually using the traditional lost-wax method, where molds are created one at a time and molten aluminum pours in carefully. This artisanal process leaves subtle surface variations that the manufacturer calls beauty marks, small imperfections that signal handmade production rather than industrial stamping. No two pots look completely identical, which adds character that mass production deliberately eliminates for the sake of uniformity.

The upper chamber maintains the classic faceted, polygonal geometry that moka pots have used for decades. The lid and knob are angular rather than rounded, providing secure grip points for lifting safely. The black ergonomic handle curves away from the body at a pronounced angle, staying cool enough to touch even when the aluminum runs hot from direct flame or electric heat.

Aluminum conducts heat quickly while keeping the pot light enough to handle easily when full. The reflective metallic finish shows the material honestly without additional coatings or treatments. The spiral base catches light differently depending on viewing angle, creating shadows that emphasize the three-dimensional form and make the pot visually interesting from multiple positions on counters or shelves.

Brewing follows the standard moka process of filling the base with water, adding ground coffee to the filter basket, and screwing the chambers together before heating. The spiral simply accelerates everything without changing the fundamental method or requiring new techniques. Coffee emerges with the same concentrated richness traditional moka pots deliver, just faster and with less energy spent getting there.

Turbo Moka fits kitchens where performance and appearance both matter, turning daily coffee into something more intentional without demanding extra effort. The spiral base delivers faster brewing and lower energy use while looking sculptural enough to justify permanent counter space. The handcrafted character and improved efficiency make it compelling for anyone who values both good design and properly made coffee.

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Power-Free Precision Espresso Maker Is So Delicious You Risk Overdosing on Caffeine

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For coffee enthusiasts, the pursuit of the perfect espresso is a journey of patience and passion. The ARCO All-Metal Espresso Maker by SOL’S COFFEE, a respected Japanese brand, promises cafe-quality results at home with 1/100th mm precision. SOL’S COFFEE delivers a product that balances craftsmanship and innovation.

Designer: Arai Rieko

Click Here to Buy Now: $770 $1100 ($330 off). Hurry, only 92/100 left! Raised over $44,000.

Precision, Redefined

ARCO’s impressive engineering, with tolerances up to 1/100th of a millimeter, ensures consistent pressure, heat, and extraction for a perfect shot every time. This precision addresses common issues like pressure inconsistencies and temperature fluctuations, turning each pull into a flawless experience.

With its focus on precision, ARCO directly tackles the challenges many manual espresso machines face. By mitigating variables, such as inconsistent temperature and fluctuating pressure, ARCO elevates every shot, offering the kind of consistency that espresso aficionados crave.

All-Metal, All-Class

In a market filled with plastic-heavy machines, ARCO’s all-metal construction of aluminum and stainless steel sets a new benchmark for durability and performance. Aluminum’s thermal conductivity ensures even heating, while stainless steel adds structural strength and resistance to corrosion. ARCO’s design guarantees durability and consistent temperature stability, crucial for crafting the perfect espresso.

Choosing materials isn’t just about durability; it’s also about how well they perform. Aluminum offers rapid, even heat distribution, while stainless steel contributes the necessary resilience to withstand daily use. This combination makes ARCO a dependable companion for those who care about quality and longevity.

Sophistication Made Simple

ARCO’s minimalist design keeps it user-friendly—there are no flashy electronics, just ground coffee, hot water, and a lever. Its simplicity makes it approachable for beginners and rewarding for aficionados, while easy maintenance ensures a long-term relationship with quality espresso.

The straightforward design means users can focus more on technique and less on complicated interfaces. Whether you’re new to manual espresso or a seasoned brewer, ARCO offers a hands-on experience that’s as educational as it is enjoyable. The simplicity also translates to ease of cleaning, ensuring hassle-free use day in and day out.

Versatility Without Limits

The power-free, portable design makes it ideal for home or travel. Its compatibility with standard 58mm portafilters ensures versatility, allowing for easy customization wherever you go. Whether you’re brewing at home, camping, or on the move, this machine adapts effortlessly, delivering quality espresso in any setting.

This versatility isn’t limited to portability alone. The use of a standard portafilter allows ARCO users to experiment with accessories typically reserved for high-end commercial machines, encouraging personalization and creativity in every brew. Whether you’re brewing at home or on an outdoor adventure, ARCO makes quality accessible anywhere.

The Science of Extraction, Mastered

ARCO’s consistent pressure and temperature control ensure a balanced extraction every time. With an optimal extraction time of 27 to 30 seconds, every shot reveals the ideal mix of bright acidity, sweetness, and nuanced bitterness. This functional precision means ARCO delivers a well-rounded espresso, shot after shot.

The focus on extraction science transforms ARCO from just another coffee tool into a reliable instrument for delivering coffee excellence. Achieving the optimal extraction balance is what separates good espresso from great, and ARCO ensures that every detail, from grind to brew, falls perfectly into place.

Sustainable Craftsmanship

As environmental awareness grows, ARCO provides a sustainable alternative to electric espresso machines. Its manual operation reduces energy use, and the robust all-metal design minimizes waste. It’s a conscious step toward more sustainable, environmentally friendly coffee making.

This expresso maker is built to last, meaning less waste in the long run, while its manual nature cuts down on energy consumption. For those who value not only the quality of their coffee but also their environmental footprint, ARCO offers a solution that aligns with sustainable living without compromising on performance.

A Worthy Investment & Final Thoughts

The ARCO Espresso Maker is crafted for coffee enthusiasts, offering an exceptional experience for daily brewing. Its consistent, high-quality results bring the satisfaction of crafting excellent espresso at home, making it a rewarding choice for those passionate about their coffee journey.

For those who savor each step of espresso-making—from grinding to pulling the shot—ARCO merges art and science seamlessly. It turns home brewing into an enriching, fulfilling experience, elevating every cup into an opportunity for excellence.

Click Here to Buy Now: $770 $1100 ($330 off). Hurry, only 92/100 left! Raised over $44,000.

The post Power-Free Precision Espresso Maker Is So Delicious You Risk Overdosing on Caffeine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great

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People are much more productive on coffee, they say. A single cup can get you working with more energy and focus, but one company is making your cup of coffee a little more productive than you think. While the coffee you drink enriches your mind, the coffee grounds you throw away after the brewing process can apparently be bound into pencil leads, letting you literally write/sketch/doodle WITH coffee! Meet GRIND Z – a pencil lead that ditches graphite for coffee, giving you an all-natural zero-waste alternative to regular pencils. The 5.6mm lead fits into any clutch pencil that accepts leads that size, allowing you to scribble, write, take notes, doodle, and sketch with coffee. Each lead is made up of recycled coffee grounds along with a combination of binding agents – and the result is an earthy brown lead that writes on paper and actually has a coffee aroma too!

Designer: Zirobio

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

Coffee grounds are a major contributor to landfill waste, with millions of tons ending up in dumps each year. GRIND Z effectively diverts these grounds from an unwanted fate, giving them a new life as a creative tool. The company behind this project, Zirobio, is a biotechnology firm dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through bio-based materials. Initiated by Hailey and Miles, avid coffee drinkers, the GRIND Z was their way of seeing if this humble cup of coffee – a symbol of work, happiness, and hustle – could be channeled into something else. Something that transforms coffee waste into even more productivity.

This is a 5.6mm pencil lead containing 20% recycled coffee grounds and other components like wax and adhesives.

Coffee has been embraced by the art community already, with people using espresso and black coffee to make stained art. The liquid imparts a brown or ochre tint on paper, depending on how diluted it is – Zirobio’s idea builds on this already existing trend, transforming it from liquid to lead. One cup of coffee can generate enough grounds for up to 6 leads, Zirobio says. Each GRIND Z lead boasts a unique blend of 20% recycled coffee grounds and 80% essential binding agents like waxes and adhesives. This carefully formulated combination ensures a smooth writing experience you expect from high-quality pencil lead. But the real magic lies in the subtle, natural coffee aroma (with a hint of bitterness) that lingers with each stroke, adding a delightful sensory element to the drawing/writing process.

The lead comes in a standard 5.6mm size, ensuring compatibility with most clutch pencils – the refillable mechanical pencils commonly used by artists and designers. Zirobio even offers a sleek aluminum clutch pencil as part of their Kickstarter rewards, creating a perfect match for the eco-friendly lead. The natural brown hue of the coffee grounds eliminates the need for artificial coloring, resulting in a unique aesthetic that complements the sustainable philosophy behind the product.

Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, GRIND Z offers a captivating visual appeal. The subtle variations in the brown tones add a touch of organic charm to your artwork or sketches. This earthy aesthetic sets it apart from traditional graphite leads, allowing artists to explore a new visual language in their work. The lead can be used with a clutch pencil or even as a crayon. It supports being sharpened by a knife or a sharpener, with zero wastage (because there’s no wood being used), and if all that wasn’t impressive, the GRIND Z is naturally skin-friendly, allowing people with sensitive skin to handle it with ease.

You can grab yourself a 2-pack of GRIND Z leads (each pack contains 6 leads) for $26 and YD readers get a free custom-made coffee bean ring too. Alternatively, a $29 pledge gets you a GRIND Z 2-pack along with a compatible 5.6mm aluminum clutch pencil. If you own a coffee shop or a small studio, YD readers can also enjoy a 34% discount, getting a 10-pack of GRIND Z and 10 clutch pencils for $109, adding a sustainable highlight to your brand. Additionally, stretch goals have unlocked more free rewards with free shipping, such as art posters, coffee ground soap, and coffee ground mugs, included along with your order.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

The post Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design

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Good things take time. Whether it’s waiting minutes while your coffee brews, waiting weeks for new episodes of your favorite series, waiting years for tech to improve, or in the case of Wacaco, waiting 10 long years for their award-winning Minipresso to get its much-needed upgrade. Since its launch in 2014, the Minipresso has been perhaps the gold standard in outdoor portable espresso brewing. Wacaco designed the entire gizmo from the ground up, with a patented pressure-building system that worked without batteries. The Minipresso ran entirely on kinetic energy, using a hand-powered pump to generate up to 8 bars of pressure for the perfect brew. 10 years later, the Minipresso GR2 makes its debut, with a smaller, lighter design that accepts more coffee grounds than before, giving you more brew for your buck. It still runs on its classic hand-pumped design, but now also uses eco-friendly biomaterials in its design that reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Designer: Wacaco

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The challenge with the Minipresso GR2 was to pretty much create a version 2.0 of a product that was already pretty perfect. The first-edition Minipresso GR still is impressive for its size and capabilities, so going back to the drawing board wasn’t about problem-solving, it was about design-refinement and feature-addition. The Minipresso GR2 is now a whopping 5cm or 2 inches shorter than its predecessor, making it shorter than the average smartphone at just 4.9 inches in height. Designed originally for travel and outdoor use, this tinier design makes it much more space-efficient, allowing it to fit into handbags, backpacks, travel cases, duffels, or even in a jacket pocket for you to carry around. The smaller design is lighter too, weighing 285 grams or 0.63 lbs, but the small size doesn’t necessarily mean less coffee… in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The Minipresso GR2 embodies user-friendliness, sturdy materials, and an elegant design, ensuring a flawless espresso brewing experience with every use.

While the previous Minipresso GR accepted only 8 grams of coffee in its basket, the GR2 gives you the option of loading 12 grams of coffee grounds in for a stronger shot of espresso. The basket comes with a modular, height-adjustable design, letting you load either 8 or 12 grams of coffee into its basket. Depending on whether you like your coffee regular or strong (also depending on the roast you load into the Minipresso GR2), you have the option of brewing a lighter or bolder cup of coffee. The user experience is further enhanced with the integration of a water tank that also includes a dosing funnel and a drip tray.

This cutting-edge portable espresso maker incorporates our most advanced pumping system, which results from years of experience and innovation, ensuring optimal extraction efficiency.

Brewing with the Minipresso GR2 hasn’t changed at all, helping users adjust to the newer design with no learning curve. The Minipresso GR2 disassembles to reveal its multiple parts. The upper double-walled flask holds up to 80ml of hot water, while the basket below it carries the coffee grounds. To brew your coffee, set up the pump by twisting it to have it pop out. Pump the Minipresso a few times to build the pressure needed for the espresso to brew perfectly, and use the included lid as an espresso cup to extract your coffee into. The process takes under a minute, and can be done without batteries or electricity, letting you brew fresh coffee on a beach, a campsite, a mountaintop, or heck, even inside an airplane so you don’t pay for the overpriced coffee they serve on flights.

Measure your coffee.

Get your coffee fix ready.

Enjoy your drink.

The tinier Minipresso GR2 comes with a new design too, boasting cleaner surfaces, minimal details, and an easy-to-clean format that makes maintenance a breeze. The double-wall design helps keep the hot water inside the Minipresso GR2 hot, while keeping the outer surface cool so you can brew your coffee without having to deal with a hot or warm device. The outer shell is also made from a new wheat-composite polymer as opposed to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. This bioplastic, along with the 30% smaller size helps the Minipresso GR2 have a much smaller climate impact than its predecessor… all while letting you brew more, better, stronger coffee. I guess that’s something worth waiting a few years for, right?

Handy cover.

Photo credit: Garance Rx

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The post Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design first appeared on Yanko Design.