Tiny coffee makers that brew Starbucks-worthy coffee + perfectly fit into your modern kitchen!

If you’re anything like me, then you absolutely cannot start your day without a freshly brewed cup of coffee! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. However, to create the perfect cup of coffee, you need the perfect coffee maker! I don’t know about you, but I utterly detest dealing with those conventional and bulky coffee makers. Coffee makers should be simple, easy-to-use, making coffee accesible to almost everyone! And we’ve curated a collection of tiny and compact, yet super functional coffee maker designs that will not only fit perfectly into your modern kitchen but brew some Starbucks-worthy coffee for you!

COFFEEJACK comes from the folks at Hribarcain, famed for their great work in the EDC department. Now, they’ve set out to shrink the coffee machine to a form factor so small, you might as well carry it around everywhere you go along with the rest of your belongings. The COFFEEJACK works with any coffee-grind, enabling you to have your favorite espresso anywhere you go, while also reducing your dependence on those earth-polluting Nespresso and Keurig pods. Just add your coffee grind to the lower chamber and COFFEEJACK’s in-built tamper will level the grounds and pack them tightly. Open out the pump and pour hot water into the upper chamber and you’re ready to go! The espresso maker’s manual pump matches the high-pressure output of most coffee machines, giving you an espresso that is deliciously thick and even has that layer of flavor-packed crema on top, just like the one your barista makes with professional equipment.

The ATONCE coffee maker is a thermos-sized device that comes with its own kettle, bean-grinder, pour-over filter, and coffee mug. Compact enough so you can carry it around with you in your bag, backpack, or even in a baggy pocket, ATONCE helps you brew barista-grade coffee with your favorite beans wherever you are, in under 5 minutes. Its multi-part design has a kettle for pouring water, an adjustable ceramic-burr motorized bean-grinder, a double-mesh stainless steel filter, a vacuum-insulated coffee cup, and a sipper-lid, packaging every coffee-making appliance in a nifty, compact form. To ensure coffee consistency, ATONCE comes with a 15g scoop that picks up just the right amount of beans for a single cup, and a 230ml marking on the kettle, allowing you to measure just the right amount of water for brewing the ‘golden cup’ according to the SCA or the Specialty Coffee Association.

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

The Picopresso (highlighting its use of metric nomenclature) pulls out all stops. It isn’t just thermos-sized, it’s cup-sized. Designed to be small enough to carry in your pocket, the Picopresso lets you brew that perfect shot of espresso coffee no matter where you are. The Picopresso stands at 10.5cm tall, or a little above 4 inches, making it perhaps the smallest ever coffee machine to be able to pressure-brew an espresso. That means even at 10.5cm tall, the Picopresso makes a luxuriously silky double shot of cafe-quality espresso, complete with that layer of crema on top that you’d see from any good espresso machine.

At first glance, the Osma looks like a thermos. In actuality, the metal shell holds the Osma’s coffee-brewing machinery, and the clear transparent top is the drink container. So, how does it work? The best way to describe the Osma’s brewing mechanism would be to contrast it against a commonly-used method: pour-over. This method, true to its name, involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds. Basically, gravity does the mixing/flavoring for you. The Osma, on the other hand, does not let the water seep down; it pumps air up into the container to mix the hot water and coffee grounds. This process creates a unique flavor profile, one that coffee connoisseurs say can’t even be achieved through pour-over brewing. It’s faster too – especially when it comes to making cold brew, cutting down a 12+ hour seeping process into 60 seconds. Also, the Osma features two small bonuses: biodegradable pods and a companion app that allows users to discover new flavored pods and share brewing tips/recipes.

Designed to make one amazing shot of coffee, the Bripe comes with a food thermometer, a quad-jet torch, a vial to carry your coffee grounds around in, and a copper stand to rest the Bripe on during the brewing process. You start by picking up the Bripe, setting the stainless steel filter in, and pouring your grounds into the receptacle along with water. Then simply insert the thermometer in and heat the concoction using the quad-jet torch till the thermometer reads 185°F. Allow your brew to rest for a period of 1-2 minutes until the temperature drops down to 140°F and then sip your brilliant brew through the pipe provided. Made out of copper, the Bripe does a pretty marvelous job of brewing a single shot of coffee that maker Tim Panek claims to be the best in the world.

Designed for the outdoors, the VSSL JAVA comes in a compact, easy-to-carry form factor, with a carabiner clip built right into its handle. The clip, aside from locking the handle in place (to prevent it from accidentally grinding), even helps secure the VSSL JAVA to your backpack/tent by suspending it from a handle or loop. The handle even comes with a telescopic extension to reduce effort, and allows you to grind enough coffee for 2 people in a matter of 60 seconds… because the only thing that complements a good sunrise and crisp, dewy air is a well-made cup of freshly ground, freshly brewed coffee!

Created by a bunch of people who absolutely loved brewing and consuming cups of coffee, the Pourigami was envisioned as a great way to carry your coffee-brewer with you. Big enough to brew one cup of coffee at a time, small enough to slip into your wallet when you’re done, and light enough to take practically anywhere, Pourigami is made of three uniquely shaped stainless-steel cards that measure just 2.4mm when stacked together. Open them out and dock them within each other and you’ve got yourself a pour-over coffee maker that rests on any cup and can be used with any #2 size coffee filter. The Pourigami’s triangular shape makes it stable, and the stainless steel build is the perfect choice for its reliability food-grade nature, and rustproof-ness.

Congratulations on perfecting your grind! Now it’s brewing time… The Minipresso takes care of that in a profile that’s small enough to slide into your backpack’s bottle holder. The tiny little brewer lets you brew coffee from your own grounds, and there’s even a version that lets you just use Nespresso pods. With a pressure chamber that allows you to build up high pressure, the Minipresso allows you to pump hot water through your grounds, resulting in fresh-brewed creamy, rich coffee that you can either consume in espresso form or turn into a cup of black coffee or a latte by adding to it. The Minipresso is tiny enough to let you brew your coffee anywhere, and even comes with its own cup, so you’ve got literally nothing to worry about. Just sip away!

With GoSun’s portable brewer, you can make an incredible cup of coffee or tea, from start to finish, in an all-in-one cup anywhere, anytime – nothing can stop you! The power comes from a 130W Heater and an integrated French press which have been fused into a doubled insulated mug that will not only brew your drink, but it will keep your drink hot for hours. So if you are like me and avoid camping because you turn into a bear without your caffeine fix, GoSun has got you. So how is this company solving every problem a coffee lover can have? Well, GoSun is a pioneer in the fuel-free industry and it is utilizing the best of clean tech to help you use more sun…to brew more coffee. “We love being outdoors, sharing our experiences, and staying connected, but we hate running out of power and we hate missing our morning coffee – that’s why we created both GoSun Brew and GoSun Power,” says the team who obviously gets good ideas only after their morning fix.

Most of the pour-over coffee makers in the market focus on functionality rather than usability making it hard for beginners to make a perfect cup without knowing the techniques. That is where Eli comes in – it is a transformable, compact, and automatic pour-over coffee maker designed to make the brewing process easier and the taste more consistent. It is a brewing kit that divides the process into three phases – material preparation, brewing setup, and final brewing. Boil water and keep the grounds ready, then slide and lift the structure, followed by rotating it to lock the base – now you are ready to brew. It has a smooth and stable rotating axis structure that elevates its minimal aesthetics.

Wacaco made the world’s smallest espresso machine, and it’s the size of a coffee-cup





Small enough that you can wrap your hand around it, Wacaco’s Picopresso pushes the boundaries of how tiny a coffee machine can be… while still being able to produce a phenomenally robust and creamy espresso.

You’ve got companies like La Marzocco, Breville, and De’Longhi that make the most high-end coffee machines, and then you’ve got Wacaco, a company that’s dedicated to compressing those coffee machines into their smallest possible form. Wacaco’s greatest hits include the 2014 Minipresso, which put the company on the map, followed by the Nanopresso in 2017, a smaller, better version of its predecessor. The Picopresso (highlighting its use of metric nomenclature) pulls out all stops. It isn’t just thermos-sized, it’s cup-sized. Designed to be small enough to carry in your pocket, the Picopresso lets you brew that perfect shot of espresso coffee no matter where you are.

Click Here to Pre-Order: $99

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

The Picopresso stands at 10.5cm tall, or a little above 4 inches, making it perhaps the smallest ever coffee machine to be able to pressure-brew an espresso. That means even at 10.5cm tall, the Picopresso makes a luxuriously silky double shot of cafe-quality espresso, complete with that layer of crema on top that you’d see from any good espresso machine.

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Its internal 52mm-wide basket holds 18 grams worth of coffee (enough to make a double-shot), while the water tank holds about 80 ml of water (2.7 fluid ounces). How you prep the Picopresso is no different from your countertop espresso machine. Just fill the basket with 4 teaspoons of coffee grounds and compress them into a nice puck with the tamper that comes along with the Picopresso. Then add the hot water to the water chamber and put the entire device together.

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

What’s notable about the Picopresso is that it works entirely without electricity. Its impressive inner pumping system generates 261 PSI (18 bars) of pressure to pump the hot water right through the coffee grounds, giving you velvety smooth espresso underneath. Just manually push down on the piston on the side as you hold the Picopresso above your coffee cup and the thick coffee pours through almost instantly.

The Picopresso is directly a result of the innovation kickstarted by the Minipresso in 2014, which, for its time, was the first-ever portable espresso maker to use a single hand-powered piston. Over the years, Wacaco’s worked hard at making that brewing/pumping system smaller without sacrificing taste, durability, and consistency. Wacaco claims that the newly engineered pumping system of the Picopresso is more reliable and capable than ever, giving you the possibility to extract professional-grade espressos quite literally in the power of your hand.

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Even for its small size, the Picopresso is durably built, with a rugged design that travels incredibly well. The Picopresso comes with its own travel case and everything you need to brew barista-grade espresso and even clean up after. Priced at $99 (available for pre-order on Wacaco’s website), it’s an incredibly affordable purchase for anyone who’s passionate about their coffee… plus its 2-year international warranty should really sweeten the deal.

Designer: Wacaco

Click Here to Pre-Order: $99

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Coffee Maker

These multifunctional magnetic cutlery-pieces snap into half to transform into chopsticks!

Like Yin and Yang, the two chopstick halves make up a whole!

A winner of the European Product Design Award, the One Plus Three is all about combining functionality with elegance. Designed as a series of 3 popular cutlery pieces – the spoon, fork, and knife, the cutlery come with a parting line running through the center along with unusually tipped handles. Pull against the direction of this parting line and each cutlery piece splits into two chopsticks that can then be used to go from eating any other cuisine to eating Asian food! By integrating the tableware, One Plus Three hopes to integrate cultures too!

The One Plus Three’s design is rather elegantly creative. The magnets exist only at the ‘head’ of the cutlery and not the handle. In doing so, it ensures that the tableware stays together when being used as a spoon, knife, or fork. However, flip the cutlery over and separate them into two individual chopsticks and now the magnets get spaced further apart, ensuring that they don’t stick together when you’re trying to eat food with the chopsticks! Each cutlery unit even comes with wooden intermediary handles that act as insulation as well as a nifty grip!

Designers: Lu Hua Bin, Li Jun Jie, Zhang Jun Yi

Stay cool this summer in an eco-friendly way with these innovative product designs!

Summertime means there is excitement in the air, Pina Coladas in our hands, and of course beads of sweat on our forehead! As much as I love and thoroughly enjoy summer, I’m almost always on a mission to beat the heat. And with the pandemic bringing our unhealthy lifestyles and complete disregard of Mother Earth into focus, I try to do this in the most eco-friendly way possible. This collection of super cool and environment-conscious product designs will help you have the best summer, while also taking care of the planet. Have a fun and safe summer!

With summer comes an increase in usage of air conditioners and we know they are not exceptionally healthy for the planet. To help maintain the electricity usage, designers Aileen Ooi and E Ian Siew created an attachment to the common standing fan everyone has stashed away at their homes to make the room cooler. The attachment, named KYL is a humidity filter that funnels airflow output to cool a closed room. KYL would be able to lower temperatures by 1.5degrees Celsius and also make the room arider (a boon in humid places like Singapore, India, and more). Utilizing Bernoulli’s principle to create a cooling effect, KYL comes with a removable filter made up of tiny pieces of silica gel which absorbs moisture from the air. This lowers the humidity in the room and we can reuse the silica gel by washing it then leaving it out in the sun to dry, minimizing the usage of electricity.

A portable, wearable, air conditioner is no more a thing of futuristic TV shows. The Reon Pocket is a smartphone-controlled personal gadget that was designed to be compact and cool. It works using thermoelectric cooling and can cool the user’s body temperature by 13 degrees celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) and raise your temperature by about 8 degrees Celsius (about 14 degrees Fahrenheit). Reon sits on the base of your neck in a special undershirt designed for it. It uses the Peltier effect which means a temperature difference is created by applying a voltage between two electrodes connected to a sample of semiconductor material. The heat is absorbed or emitted when you pass an electrical current across a junction to either lower your temperature or increase it without bulk or noise.

Boasting an enameled steel construction, the Noori V02 AIRY is a multifunctional outdoor grill, pizza oven, rocket stove, and a fire pit – all in one! Not to mention, it’s probably one of the best-looking grills I’ve seen in a long time, it’ll be the perfect visual accessory to your backyard. The grill consists of six refractory concrete internal plates. These plates + an AIRY cylinder make up the grill’s innovative AIRY system (which also gives the product its name). This basically means that to set up an open fire, you simply need to remove a few refractory plates from within the AIRY cylinder, which instantly exposes the flames, creating the mesmerizing flame dance we all love to watch in an open fire! Much like its predecessor the Noori V02 AIRY also features a pizza disc, allowing you to not only bake up some pizzas but bread as well.

Eisner Design’s renovation pads the children’s basement playscape with cushioning from the floor to the ceiling to ensure rowdy and safe play. From the bookshelf to the tree swings, the designers at Eisner envisioned kids’ imagination and brought it to life. Stenciled between cubbies and bookshelves, Eisner Design lodged cushioned seats that work as hideouts tucked away from the action for when playtime gets too tiring. One shaped into a perfect circle and the other forming the shape of a lima bean, the new seating nooks offer kids their own midday nap destination, à la mom and dad. Rooted just in front of the seating nooks, a modular, cushioned playground is stationed next to an indoor tree trunk that can be used for climbing or as a base during games of tag. It’s the perfect spot for kids to spend their summers!

This beach umbrella comes with an origami-inspired design that unfolds to display a photovoltaic array that generates electric power which gets used for further refrigeration and cooling for the beach people. Measuring 2.5 meters high and a 3.2-meter diameter, this umbrella’s transformation brings to mind the mechanisms we see on the NASA spacecraft. The entire setup can be used individually or be rigged together to generate electricity that can even run an ice cream freezer on the beachside. It’s perfect for a private beach or even a luxury beach resort where these umbrellas can be deployed to keep the machines churning.

Staying cool in the summer can often pose a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to maintaining a comfortable temperature whilst we are sat at our desks. Whilst there are solutions to this problem already, they often carry an undesirable, unconsidered, and mundane aesthetic that can interrupt the flow of our workspaces. Does this need to be the case? The team at BOUD certainly doesn’t think so, as they’ve created what could possibly be the cutest fan! The compact device features soft-rounded edges and oversized detailing to achieve a rather adorable aesthetic that gives it a friendly persona. But it isn’t ‘just a pretty face’, as it holds a rather clever and desirable feature… it can become handheld! Simply lifting the main section away from the base reveals a handle, this can now be used to provide a more directed stream of cool air.

Weighing 35 pounds, Yeti’s The V Series offers 50% better ice retention than its Tundra. And since the Tundra was as good as a cooler could get, we can assume that the V Series is going to be giving other coolers on the market an even stiffer competition. Sleek, with a retro appeal, the cooler has been equipped with cast-aluminum hinges that are guaranteed to last a lifetime and stainless steel handles. The usual double latches on coolers have been abandoned for a more convenient single center-mounted latch. 1.5 inches thick, it promises to hold 46 cans of beer, assuring you that your beverages will never run out!

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We love the sounds and smells of sizing meat, we hate the clean-up afterward. To keep the ashes from spreading all over your party plans, designers Li Yuan & Zhou Yan have invented the FlameOn Barbecue Grill. It seems like there’s no easy way to remove the ash leftovers in your average charcoal/wood-fire grill. Rather than scoop out the soot or sift it out of the bottom (which inevitably ends up all over your hands and face), the FlameOn Barbecue Grill provides an all-new functionality that eliminates the mess factor. When you’re finished grilling and the device has cooled off, simply unlock the turning mechanism and tilt it on its side. The leftover ash will fall into a removable compartment for easy disposal. Better yet, in this position, it also takes up a smaller footprint than the average backyard barbecue.

Saiga is the result of a team project by the Royal College of Art & Imperial College London, Innovation Design Engineering students – Harry Barber, Kevin Chiam, Wei Haw Huang, and Nacho Vilanova. This wearable neck air conditioner makes use of conduction to cool down the area around the neck using the user’s own breath. So why did these mindful students design a prototype that needs very negligible external battery power? For a simple reason – the air conditioners are energy demanding and adversely affect the environment as they increase the environmental temperature and are also polluting in the long run. How one feels around the neck contributes a lot to the perception of environmental temperature, and the Saiga neck wearable does exactly that.

Nothing says summer is here like a chilled drink and a cactus-themed celebration to support it. Holding your munchies while you sip through the straw, the Cacnuts is a must-have for every green lover.

Weird and wonderful product designs that combine our love of fun visuals + strong design!

There are certain product designs, that bring the word ‘quirky’ to mind when you have a look at them! They’re unconventional, and so unlike the products we are used to coming across and using. But somehow, they manage to pack in a whole lot of functionality in their unique form. You can call these products weird yet wonderful! And, we’ve curated a collection of intriguingly weird yet wonderful product designs for you. From a synthesizer that features 25 singing dentures to a watch made from repurposed electronic waste, these eccentric product designs will leave you mesmerized!

Pizza! It is safe to say that this food is almost universal now. Crispy buttery crust, spiced and balanced sauce, and that molten cheese, there are few things on this planet that pizza can’t fix. So, it does make sense to have this slice readily available for anyone who’s having a bad day.

Meet the VOC-25, a rather weird little synth from our favorite mad scientist, Love Hultén. It sports a 25-key synth that’s directly hooked to a, well, display and control board that sports 25 plastic teeth that open to singing out the notes you play on the keyboard. Inspired by a musical instrument originally created by Simone Giertz, the VOC-25 takes things to quite another level, with controls that let you fine-tune the synthesizer’s sound. Four mod-knobs below the teeth allow you to tweak the sound, while a circular display works as an oscillator, showing you the waveform. The surrealist synth comes with an Axoloti Core microcontroller board on the inside, that’s hooked to a 25-key keyboard.

Toilet Brushes are the bane of an Instagram-worthy bathroom. We can’t live without them nor can we live with them mudding up our aesthetics! The Cacbrush is here to your rescue. Doubling up as a toilet brush, this clever little design hides the brush in plain sight without any accidental pricks to your business area.

Meet the Garbage Watch, a watch made by repurposing the electronic waste we throw out every year. Rapidly changing technology has given rise to a culture of disposable electronics – everything from phones to TV, gadgets are not designed to last long. This electronic waste contains many of the world’s precious metals like silver, platinum, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, and zinc. You’ll find 7% of the world’s gold in e-waste! Vollebak changed their approach to the problem, they explained “So our Garbage Watch started with a very simple idea. What if garbage isn’t garbage? What if it’s simply pre-assembled raw materials that we can use to make new things.

Popping bubbles on bubble wrapping paper is a guilty pleasure of its own, something we’ve all indulged in at some point or the other. The Burst Your Bubble Belt Buckle™ allows you to strap bubble wrap onto your belt using this special utility device. Feeling stressed at work, or just simply saturated with life? Keep bursting bubbles all day along with this buckle, relieving yourself of all your worries!

Here’s the Eyecam… a webcam that creepily stares right into your soul. In a world where tech spies on you (sometimes blatantly), the Eyecam adds a layer of realism to it. Designed by researcher Marc Teyssier, the Eyecam is more of a social project that aims at turning the humble camera into something more relatable – for better or for worse. The resulting device is eerily similar to an eye. Sure, it comes covered with faux flesh and has eyebrows and eyelashes, but the Eyecam doesn’t just look like an eye. It behaves like one too. The eyeball can independently pivot inside the eye socket, looking around the room. A facial recognition software runs in the background, allowing the Eyecam to detect humans and look them directly in the eye.

I’ll admit, the word ‘virus’ probably gives you a bit of anxiety. It definitely isn’t associated with any pleasant experiences, although designer Andrea Cingoli is trying to make the word virus sound less scary and more harmless. In an attempt to have us get over our fear of microorganisms, Cingoli’s furniture borrows from the very design of the virus. Meet Oleg, a series of multifunctional furniture with ‘spike proteins’ that allow them to be stacked in multiple ways! Oleg aims at rebuilding our association and relationship with viruses. Rather than associating its shape with something bad, Oleg showcases how the almost naval-mine-like furniture can be used and arranged in multiple ways.

Candles are mesmerizing when they are unusually shaped like these Twist candles. Pott plays with the flexibility of wax as a medium and reimagines the traditionally straight pillar candles in a way that doesn’t require an exclusive base. “In this project, we tried to combine both base and the candle in a single material shape. Resulting in one candle double ends candle. By bending and twisting candles a new typology appears combining form, function, and fun,” says Pott. The candles come in various colors and the most mesmerizing ones are those featuring bright ombré combinations. Twist is a modern and elegant upgrade to your side table or even your dining table if you are hosting a formal dinner – they look artistic lined up or by themselves.

The OldSpice Hat Hoverer 2000XL™ lets your wavy locks shine while your sport your favorite cap, hovering a few inches above your head! The innovative vacuum suction machine comes with an easy-to-wear harness, allowing you to lug your hover machine with ease while your good hair day will go ahead with ease!

The “Emergency Aid” project by @neveritadesign aims to transform broken and unusable objects into creative products. The FlaminRose is a wine glass prosthesis inspired by the form of flamingos as they sleep.

This French Press Coffee Maker has an hourglass built into its handle that lets you perfectly time your brew!

The idea for a french-press coffee maker with a built-in hourglass is probably the best example of ‘a brain on caffeine’! To be honest, it’s downright genius too. Measure your brew, pour your water, flip the timer, and you know exactly when your coffee is ready! This French Press from the guys at StramperPress lets you do just that, allowing you to calibrate your brew with a nifty little sand hourglass that has a countdown time of 4 minutes, letting you know when your brew’s just perfect.

Click Here to Buy Now (Stainless Steel)

Sporting a wonderfully Scandinavian design, the StramperPress french press is minimal yet has a commanding presence – along with a brilliant little feature. Outwardly, it’s like any french press, allowing you to brew your coffee in hot water, then press the plunger to push the coffee grounds and pour fresh coffee out. However, to ensure that you don’t over-brew your beverage (resulting in bitter, burnt notes) or even under-brew it (causing your coffee to taste weak), the coffee maker comes with a nifty hourglass built into its handle. Just flip it after you pour your hot water and the hourglass will tell you when your coffee’s ready. No batteries, no electronic timers, no beeping, no fuss. Just a really simple and sophisticated product with a stupidly brilliant idea at the heart of it!

Designer: StramperPress

Click Here to Buy Now (Stainless Steel)

Brew and enjoy a Starbucks-worthy coffee experience with these product designs!

As much as I hate to admit it, I absolutely cannot start my day without a freshly brewed cup of coffee! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. However, brewing coffee is an intimate and intricate process by itself, and a few handy products are always needed to peacefully create and enjoy our much-needed cup of coffee. So, we’ve curated a collection of product designs including unique coffee machines, pour-over brewers, sustainable to-go cups, and more to make your morning coffee routine just a little bit more enjoyable!

This conceptual coffee machine is very unlike the espresso makers in the market and it’s the aesthetics that set it apart. It is a dream machine for people who love coffee and space exploration equally (like me!). The compact capsule shape makes it look like a moon lander for your counter and is obviously powered by caffeine which is only the second most powerful fuel after rocket fuel! The designer’s main focus was to retain some of the rawness and the mechanical steampunk look of the traditional Italian espresso makes while maintaining a clean shape that adds character to the product. There is a tubular water/steam container at the back which I feel can be extended down for added support for the appliance. There is also another container for your beans which I assume leads to a small grinder mechanism inside so you only get the freshest cup of joe each time. Overall, the shape is very unique and combines the nostalgic steampunk elements with clean, smooth curves for a balanced modern machine.

Most of the pour-over coffee makers in the market focus on functionality rather than usability making it hard for beginners to make a perfect cup without knowing the techniques. That is where Eli comes in – it is a transformable, compact, and automatic pour-over coffee maker designed to make the brewing process easier and the taste more consistent. It is a brewing kit that divides the process into three phases – material preparation, brewing setup, and final brewing. Boil water and keep the grounds ready, then slide and lift the structure, followed by rotating it to lock the base – now you are ready to brew. It has a smooth and stable rotating axis structure that elevates its minimal aesthetics.

Made in the UK, Orea means “from the mountains” – a fitting name for this teeny weeny coffee brewer made for the outdoorsy. This pour-over brewer comes with an innovative drainage ring at the base, resulting in a faster flow rate. As the designers explain, “The Orea brewer has a unique drainage ring that results in a fast flow rate. What this means for you is that you can grind finer and extract the brighter notes in coffee. If you love the nutty, fruity, citrusy, or chocolatey tastes that come with specialty coffee – you will love this brewer.” This design change improved upon the dreaded clogging and extended brew time with brewers with a smaller opening. 

If there was an emergency, I would instantly protect my dog and my coffee. So if you are anything like me then the BruTrek Expedition Coffee Kit is essential for you! Planetary Design has created one of the world’s most rugged, portable, coffee brewing kits for modern-day explorers who need more than just a french press. This coffee kit has a full range of accessories and looks like it is ready to be air-dropped into a war zone and I just know it will survive with the 29-L Zarges case that protects it. The brewing range comes in a sturdy, custom foam-cushioned lightweight German aluminum box which is popular for overlanding and can be neatly stacked over other similar-sized Zarges boxes or strapped to the outside of a vehicle if needed. It is designed to keep dust and moisture out, and it is also IGBC-certified bear-resistant according to Zarges USA – so no aggressive grizzlies will be stealing your coffee although, before coffee, some of us might be like angry bears ourselves!

Designed as a collaborative effort between Electrolux and the students at Umeå Institute of Design to think about post-Covid-19 home solutions, the Fika from Afar helps capture the nuances of work-life and work-leisure while at home. In Swedish, ‘Fika’ is a term for coffee or tea break (usually enjoyed with a cake or bun and in the company of others). Fika from Afar carries that concept and brings it into homes, allowing you to take a well-deserved break from work with your friends. Power on the Fika from Afar and connects you and multiple colleagues through an app that lets you collectively take a break while you sip coffee. Friends can either share a cup of coffee with you, or some gossip, or even their own coffee recommendations, giving you a nice 5-10 minute break from the mundane routine of working from home.

unocup1

Unocup designed an ergonomic paper cup that folds into itself to create a spill-proof lid! Just fold over each flap and insert the tab to close the “lid”. To open, it is a simple press of a button that will gently open the flap instead of trying to carefully pop off the lid – praying for you if you attempt that with long nails. This cup has a unique shape that fits into your palm, the uniform structure creates a strong and consistent body that will not cave under pressure, unlike traditional paper cups. The drinking curved spout is specifically designed to fit your lips naturally as opposed to the otherwise flat plastic lids. You can also fold flaps backward and drink from the rim just like a normal drinking glass.

Zhi Ka Master is a coffee-making system that employs the use of twin-arm robotics to perform traditional coffee and tea brewing for hand-poured, automated cups of coffee. The entire system comprises a twin-arm, six-axis robot, and accompanying work table. Twin-arm robotic systems are typically chosen for their efficient and automated execution of more involved assembly operations. Through bi-manual manipulation, twin-arm robots can perform complicated tasks in a human-like manner. The incorporation of twin-arm robotics for Zhi Ka Master and a bionic profile design equips the robot with enough know-how to stimulate masterful coffee or tea-making methods with the push of a button. A pre-sized and programmed worktable is used to keep all the machines and tools necessary to make any drink on a typical coffee menu.

Inspired by the powerhouse marque, Sajdin Osmancevic designed a luxury coffeemaker in the style of the Bugatti Type 35, with a finished look fit for the post-race winner’s circle. In order to get the coffee machine going, users simply flip open the golden emblem at the top of the arch-shaped, gridded radiator, to insert their preferred coffee capsule and wait for hot coffee to pour from the Bugatti logo. Moving to the coffee machine’s bulbous backside, reminiscent of the Bugatti Type 35’s spherical and triangular rear wing, users will find the coffee machine’s rear switch dial, a scaled replica of Type 35’s petrol tank where either a single or double shot of espresso can be chosen for brewing.

Designed as probably the world’s most fun user-manual, Sip-To-Suit Coffee Information Cards are a set of coffee-brewing guides disguised as actual playing cards! You see, brewing coffee can be an incredibly elaborate affair, with different brewing machines and techniques requiring different water quantities, brewing times, and even coffee-ground sizes. Sip-To-Suit helps simplify that in an incredibly fun way by creating a set of flashcards that help give you critical information on how to brew the best coffee. Moreover, the cards double up as playing cards too, allowing you to start your day with a nice hot brew, and end your day with Texas Hold’em!

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COFFEEJACK comes from the folks at Hribarcain, famed for their great work in the EDC department. Now, they’ve set out to shrink the coffee machine to a form factor so small, you might as well carry it around everywhere you go along with the rest of your belongings. Designed by Ashley Hribar-Green & Matthew Aston Cain, the COFFEEJACK works with any coffee-grind, enabling you to have your favorite espresso anywhere you go, while also reducing your dependence on those earth-polluting Nespresso and Keurig pods. Just add your coffee grind to the lower chamber and COFFEEJACK’s in-built tamper will level the grounds and pack them tightly. Open out the pump and pour hot water into the upper chamber and you’re ready to go! The espresso maker’s manual pump matches the high-pressure output of most coffee machines, giving you an espresso that is deliciously thick and even has that layer of flavor-packed crema on top, just like the one your barista makes with professional equipment.

The LIDfree is less of a redesign and more of a re-imagination of lids themselves. A sustainable improvement on plastic lids would probably be to design lids that are made out of paper instead… but to redesign a cup in a way that it doesn’t need a lid? That’s truly something worth marveling at. Meet the LIDfree, a to-go paper cup that comes with its own fold-in lid. While the lid isn’t 100% spill-proof (not even the plastic ones are), it does a few key things really well. It prevents spillage and merges two products (a cup and lid) into me. It gives you a central channel to put your straw and replaces a wasteful plastic part with a recyclable paper one.

Tiny Kitchen Appliances that occupy minimum space but provide maximum functionality!

They say big things come in small packages! And I could not agree more. Sometimes the most inconsequential-looking products can be packed with a whole load of utility. And this is certainly true in the case of kitchen appliances. Space constraint is a major issue in our modern-day cramped kitchens, and shoving a whole bunch of bulky and space-consuming kitchen appliances in them is almost impossible! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of compact kitchen appliances that do not compromise on functionality, despite their size. These handy kitchen products will occupy minimum space in your kitchen while providing maximum functionality!

Turner designed Carnerie – a conceptual device that will let you grow your own meat in the future! Cultured meat is the process of growing meat from cells extracted from animals. Many experts believe that cultured meat offers us the opportunity to produce meat with significantly reduced environmental impacts and without slaughtering animals. The technology is being rapidly developed across the world and is beginning to be introduced to some high-end restaurants but there has been discussion about whether one day we may be able to grow our own meat from animal cells in our own kitchens. Carnerie is a ‘grow your own meat’ device for around twenty years in the future. It is controlled by an app, whereby the user is able to order cell capsules from local farms in order to grow a variety of different types of meat.

Adriano Design designed Cucinotta for the Italian kitchen appliances manufacturer Fabita. Cucinotta can be described as a mini kitchen with large eyes and slender legs, it almost looks like a cute cartoon! It’s a compact and portable piece of furniture that can fit into almost any section of your home. Measuring less than half a square meter, the minimal mini-kitchen features an induction cooktop, a hood, and a large utility drawer (that can also be used as a fridge!). Powered by a single cord, Cucinotta leaves behind a minute carbon footprint. It, in fact, even has a wireless charging space for mobile devices.

Walker was a pioneer when it came to vegetable juicing and made it his life’s work to speak of its health benefits. Bringing their own compact juicer to the mix as an homage to Walker, Hatch Duo has designed The Walker Juicer, a masticating juicer without the bulk. Offering a slower, more concentrated grind, masticating juicers do not incorporate too much heat or oxygen into their juicing process. In regard to nutritional value, masticating juicers are largely preferred over centrifugal juicers. However, masticating juicers typically take up more space than centrifugal juicers since their slower grind generally requires a longer spout and auger. The Walker Juicer consolidates the parts of a masticating juicer and places them in its main body to create a more compact build without compromising each juice’s nutritional value.

The Visual Measuring Spoons build on the brilliance of the Visual Measuring Cups from 2019. Designed to quickly and effectively help you ‘visualize’ quantities, the Visual Measuring Spoons are shaped to look like fractions so you can, at a glance, understand which spoon measures what. The tablespoon is square-shaped, to look like a table. The teaspoon is slightly smaller and circular, the half-teaspoon is semicircular to indicate that it’s half of a full circle, and the quarter-teaspoon is quadrant-shaped. Just by intuitively looking at each spoon, you instantly understand what it’s for, helping you measure more efficiently and cook more effectively. You don’t need to eyeball your measurements as you cook, and you don’t even need to bust out the weighing machine to weigh out your ingredients in grams.

Modeled on the shape and design of a toucan bird (remember Rafael from the movie Rio?), Toco actually helps core and spiralize an apple, turning it from the fruit into a fun spiral you can eat! Made from plastic (so it’s relatively safe around kids), Toco’s beak comes with a circular element at its tip that pierces into the fruit’s core, while the beak itself has a sharp-ish edge that cuts through the fruit’s flesh. Toco’s eye-hole serves as a finger-rest too, giving you the leverage you need to easily cut through the fruit. A few twists later, you’ve got yourself an apple that’s core-less and ready to eat, bake, or decorate your smoothie bowl with! Toco works with all kinds of apples and a bunch of pears too!

Mitsubishi launched its ‘TO-ST1-T Electric Bread Toaster’ or ‘Bread Oven’. What differentiates this from the rest of the toasters on the market…A LOT. Mitsubishi’s Bread Oven is in a league of its own with a promise to serve you ‘the perfect toast’. Mimicking a waffle maker, the toaster looks like it’s come straight out of the ’80s with its retro-esque veneer brown look. Built with a sealed thermal-insulated structure, it can toast your bread without releasing any moisture, ensuring the bread is soft, fluffy, and far from being dry. The metal box is equipped with two plates that can go up to temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These plates seal the slice of bread, transferring heat to it, and in turn, make magic.

The ICEY is a nifty little container that’s tall enough to fit right into your freezer. Inside it is an automatic churner that works just like an ice-cream maker does. Pour your drink into the ICEY and stash it in the freezer for up to 90 minutes and the ICEY turns it into an instant granita. As the cold temperatures freeze your drink, the ICEY continuously churns it, turning it into a flavorful snowy, crushed-ice beverage. It retains and amps up the flavors because you’re not adding any extra ice to it… you’re just turning it into ice instead… and unlike simply placing a bottle of juice into a freezer and turning it into a popsicle, the ICEY makes sure the resulting beverage is semisolid like a slushie and can be sipped through a straw.

Sitting on your kitchen table much like an Echo or a Google Home would, the Fruit WashingMachine is a rather unique way of cleaning your fruits and vegetables before eating or preparing them. The slick, pink device uses tap water to cleanse your fruit without any extra additive (like a food-grade soap or cleanser). The appliance, rather, uses an innovative technology that goes by the name ‘water hydroxyl food purification’. Now I’m no expert, but a simple look at some articles online shows that the technology involves pulsing voltage to ionize a gas at atmospheric pressure, helping in releasing hydroxyl radicals that help purify the water as well as the fruits and veggies inside it. In short, the Fruit WashingMachine uses a plasma jet to create a string of reactions that purify water in literally a split second, without affecting the water’s temperature or composition. In fact, the plasma jets are so safe, you can literally touch them with your hands.

The uniquely flexible Trebonn Roll mat is made of two parts. Individual vertical strips made from a knife-friendly polymer, connected together by a flexible, food-grade, dishwasher-friendly silicone mat. The silicone is responsible for the mat’s hinges, and magnetic closure at one end lets you snap the mat shut in place. Open it out and the mat unfolds to reveal a flat cutting surface… just make sure your knife-work isn’t parallel to the silicone hinges (you don’t want to accidentally cut the hinges through and through). Once you’re done cutting and chopping, the mat’s flexible design makes it easy to collect all your chopped bits and pour them into your crockpot, saucepan, skillet, or mixing bowl. The mat’s easy to clean – it rinses under tap water, or conversely, you could just place it in the dishwasher with the rest of your cutlery.

Designed to be your go-to for any cooking measurements, the Kitchen Cube integrates all measuring vessels into its singular, yellow, cube-shaped body. With over 19+ measuring units designed into its 6-sided shape, the Kitchen Cube can be used to measure anything from teaspoons and tablespoons to even cups, working with both wet and dry ingredients alike. The cube comes with both metric and US measuring units molded into its unique design, allowing you to even measure out your ingredients in milliliters if the recipe calls for it. Molded from food-grade plastic, the cube is dishwasher-friendly and even safe to use in the microwave, so you can swiftly heat up or melt your ingredients once you measure them out! Besides, its singular design helps instantly de-clutter your kitchen drawer or counter, but most importantly, it integrates all your measuring instruments into one cube so you don’t accidentally ever lose small measuring spoons!

The No-Touch Timer gives you the chance to set the timer hands-free. When it is in its default mode, the device functions as a clock, but when you bring your hands near it, the device transforms into a kitchen timer. You can set the timer hands-free by taking your hands close by to wake the clock up. You can adjust the hands from a distance and the further away you take your hands, the more time is added to the clock. Details of the time include real-time feedback on the screen, infrared sensors to detect how far hands are away from the device and thus converting into a corresponding time value. In essence, the further away the hand is from the timer, the longer time will be set.

Camping-friendly kitchen appliances to effortlessly channel your inner chef on your Glamping trips!

I, honestly love a good old camping trip! Relaxing in the midst of nature, in a sweet bubble of my own, away from the hectic city life – sounds like heaven to me! Although, one thing that always worries me before any camping getaway is the meals! I’m a food lover through and through, and having warm and freshly prepared (and tasty) meals at all times is a must for me. A good meal isn’t always guaranteed though when you’re getting down and dirty in the outdoors, but we can always try our best! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of portable and functional kitchen appliances that will help you prepare delicious meals even when you’re surrounded by nothing but the wilderness! From a DHL-inspired briefcase-sized portable camping stove to an off-road trailer with a sliding kitchen – we’ve collected a whole range of super cool and helpful outdoor cooking appliances that will deliver great food to you without fail.

Developed in the design language of DHL, PDF Haus aimed to give Shelf a simple box silhouette with a freewheeling attitude, taking inspiration from the color scheme, materials and finishes often chosen by DHL for their vehicles and brand aesthetic. The grill even comes with DHL decals and tags that can be adhered to the metallic grill’s front case that turns into its table extension. While most gas stoves come with a separate carrying case, Shelf’s entire grill has been turned into one that can be consolidated and carried away. Shaped and carried like a slim briefcase, two metal clasps open and slide out to reveal the Shelf’s grill and supplementary table space. Just beneath the grill, Shelf includes two retractable shelves that create more space for whoever’s cooking to place their spices, utensils, or tools. Blooming from Shelf’s underside like an awning, the shelves, and the sliding tables nearly double Shelf’s overall area.

This coffee kit has a full range of accessories and looks like it is ready to be air-dropped into a war zone and I just know it will survive with the 29-L Zarges case that protects it. The brewing range comes in a sturdy, custom foam-cushioned lightweight German aluminum box which is popular for overlanding and can be neatly stacked over other similar-sized Zarges boxes or strapped to the outside of a vehicle if needed. It is designed to keep dust and moisture out, and it is also IGBC-certified bear-resistant according to Zarges USA – so no aggressive grizzlies will be stealing your coffee although, before coffee, some of us might be like angry bears ourselves! The kit includes a large 32-oz (946-ml) BruTrek French press with a more group-friendly option featuring a handle and a spout.

Pyro Camp Fire is a portable fire pit constructed chiefly of American steel. It is provided with a grill/griddle extension for enthusiasts who want to create an inviting ambiance by burning wood or charcoal in a safe and clean manner. And when the stomach calls, the top extension can be swapped and you are good to prepare a meal or heat up the precook food on you. Designed by a team of camping and overloading enthusiasts themselves, this portable fire pit has an 18-inch long and 14-inch wide combustion chamber, while the contraption measure 9-inch tall. The entire pit weighs only 14.5 pounds making it appropriate to carry on every camping trail you’re headed for. The standout here is its side-loading system that lets you easily add wood without having to remove the top fire screen or grill.

Anthropologie’s Reusable Travel Flatware makes it easy to have all your cutlery together with you wherever you travel. With a neat nesting design, the three-piece set becomes a singular bundle that slides right into your travel bag or backpack, making it easy to carry on that camping trip, or even to work where you can bust it out during your lunch break. Made from 100% recyclable and sustainable polyamide thermoplastic that’s manufactured using renewable resources, the Reusable Travel Flatware champions convenience over everything else. Their clever design makes them easy to carry around as a set, and unlike other travel cutlery, they don’t compromise on shape/size/comfort to be portable.

Lee’s induction dual stovetop was constructed to make those tiring, family trips a little bit more relaxing and easygoing because that’s what camping’s all about if you’re doing it right. Eating is a necessary part of any family trip and cooking for the whole family can sometimes take up that prime golden hour time that should be spent fireside. The design for the induction dual stovetop provides two induction surfaces suited for various kinds of cookware and less time spent actually cooking. Since the family was at the center of this design, Lee incorporated a safety sensor that must alert users of surfaces that might be too hot to touch and an intuitive interface that younger folks can understand just as well as the adults. For instance, a sliding temperature control touch bar allows users to increase or decrease the temperature for either induction surface.

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Designed to be the most robust as well as the most accommodating portable grill in the world, the WG Grill doesn’t just fit in the back of your car, it can literally fit in your backpack… and when opened out, can rest atop any type of fire (with its 3 height settings), while even withstanding a good deal of weight, so you can have anything from steaks to cast-iron skillets on it without breaking a sweat. Made from reinforced stainless steel, the designers behind the grill spent close to 18 months making the grill look as sleek and as strong as it is. The base is a folding frame that can open or close completely, to be held in place by the grilling surface, which has 3 height settings built into it. The grill can therefore be used over fires big and small and has a load-bearing capacity of up to 16kgs (that’s roughly 300 hot dogs!)

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The Muncher by Full Windsor, however, isn’t a multi-tool. It’s a multi-utensil. Built for the slightly sophisticated Bear Grylls in you, this little piece of metal fits all the tools you need to survive in the wild. Weighing in at a mere 0.7 ounces (20grams) this bad-boy fits in 10 different pieces of camping equipment into one slick, pocketable mass. The Muncher’s design looks a lot like a spork, but that’s just from afar. On closer inspection you’ll see that apart from being a spoon/fork amalgamation it even cuts, peels, slices, opens, fastens/loosens, and even ignites! Yes, the Muncher comes with a pretty handy flint-stick that allows you to not just start the fire, but even open the tinned food, and eat said food once you’re done cooking.

The Bushcamp Offroad Trailer is a capable camper that would allow you to set up camp instantly, prepare a light meal, and let you sleep in a comfortable, insulated cocoon while you’re spending some precious time in the outdoors. Want to prepare a quick yet gourmet meal before you retire for the day? Slide the kitchen out to reveal an efficient setup and cook and cool your drinks while you’re at it. It’s an on-the-go kitchen for all your camping adventures!

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Cookout rethinks outdoor cooking by taking inspiration from the age-old kerosene stove. However, it’s much easier to use, maintain and carry compared to traditional kerosene stoves. Simplified into 5 primary components, it can be disassembled and reassembled in seconds to clean or pack. Better yet, two interchangeable surfaces make it possible to switch between cooking styles in a cinch. Grill with the ribbed metal surface, then swap it out for the pot supporter to boil water or heat soup and other items!

With GoSun’s portable brewer, you can make an incredible cup of coffee or tea, from start to finish, in an all-in-one cup anywhere, anytime – nothing can stop you! The power comes from a 130W Heater and an integrated French press which have been fused into a doubled insulated mug that will not only brew your drink but will keep your drink hot for hours. So if you are like me and avoid camping because you turn into a bear without your caffeine fix, GoSun has got you.

This tiny tea café fits in a 1.5 sq. ft. fold-out box on the back of a Vespa





Ask any Indian what their country runs on and the answer will inevitably come, “Chai”. Introduced to the country by the British and the Portuguese, Chai (or tea) is as much of a legacy to India as the New York Pizza Slice or the Chicago Deep Dish is to America. We’ve taken the drink and co-opted it, introducing our rich culture and complex flavors and spices to what’s otherwise a simple beverage of tea leaves, water, milk, and sugar. Today, chai can be found everywhere – At tiny roadside stalls in the city or on highways, and even in the up-market urban Chai cafés that are the “tea-quivalent” of Starbucks. However, possibly the most iconic form of Chai is found on the roads, sold by people on push-carts or even out of canteens on the back of scooters. The CHAIGAADI builds on that culture, modernizing it and turning it into even more of an icon.

ChaiGaadi is the world’s tiniest tea stall ever made. At just 1.5 sq. ft, the foldable tea stall fits right on the back of a Vespa, allowing the tea vendor to easily set up shop anywhere and sell tea along with select confectionery and snacks. Everything fits right into a 1.5 sq. ft. box that’s mounted on the back of a Vespa. Designed to work like a food truck, traveling from location to location (and often parking outside large offices in the evenings to businessmen can get their ‘chai break’), the ChaiGaadi can be set up anywhere in minutes. The box opens out into an elaborate setup comprising a copper tea boiler, a cup-warming tray fitted with signature ‘cutting chai’ drinking glasses, a tray for confectionery like buns and tea-cakes, and a fold-out counter for serving your wares and collecting cash. Once consumed, used tea glasses can even be docked in a special tray on the side, along with a small compartment for food waste.

The copper construction on the tea boiler is a bit of creative fusion from the designer, Arun Prabhu. Inspired by the copper glasses used by Turkish baristas to brew their coffee, the ChaiGaadi’s copper boiler relies on the metal’s conductivity while hinting at that cultural inspiration from the Middle East. Vents on the top of the boiler serve two purposes. Not only do they help keep the chai-glasses above warm (the vendor or ‘chaiwallah could pre-pour 10-15 glasses to quickly serve hot to customers), but they even occasionally let out steam, spreading the familiar whiff of strong milky tea in the air.

“We spent months prototyping, itching to find the right balance between usability and the skeleton of the structure”, says Arun Prabhu, founder of cross-disciplinary design and research firm The BILLBOARDS® Collective, and the designer of the ChaiGaadi. Touted as the world’s tiniest tea café, the ChaiGaadi was designed for Hyderabad-based cafe chain, Chai Kahaani, and is currently going through testing and trials as it prepares for an eventual nationwide rollout.

Designer: Arun Prabhu NG