Introducing the Concrete Espresso Machine

One thing is for sure, with the Concrete Espresso Machine, you will never have to worry about knocking your espresso machine over – unless of course you’re the Incredible Hulk! That’s because this espresso machine is like no other. It’s built out of solid concrete! Israeli student, Shmuel Linski, from Shenkar College of Engineering and Design came up with solid concept product. The machine features metal parts alongside a unique and very chic concrete encasing.

Why concrete? Linkski had this to say:

“Concrete in the kitchen, not only as a wall or decorative part, I wanted it to be a desirable consumer product.”

Mypressi Handheld Espresso Machine

You might be familiar more with ThinkGeek as a place to purchase geeeky apparel or gadgets. You might not know that they have an entire section of their store devoted to caffeinated goods! That’s right, alongside their caffeinated candy, drinks and lollipops, you’ll find this impressive little device – the Mypressi Handheld Espresso Machine.

“Consequently, coffee snobs (we can call them that because many of us are thus self-professed) require a lot of precision in their brewing instruments. Take this new portable espresso dispenser, for example! Many espresso machines of the hand-pump variety give a strong burst of pressure to force the water through the grounds, but the pressure dies off quickly, leaving your espresso a muddy mess of over and under-extracted coffee. The Mypressi Handheld Espresso Machine uses canisters of compressed N20 to give you a half-dozen or more strong pulls at an even 9-bar (135psi) from beginning to end. The resulting cup is hot, flavorful, with a mild bitterness and strong crema.”

Buy the Mypressi Handheld Espresso Machine from ThinkGeek for $169.99.

10 of The Worst and Most Fat-Filled Starbucks Beverages

To the chagrin of the traditional coffee house, Starbucks has become a mainstay in cities across America and the world. As we know, coffee can have many health benefits including benefits to cardiovascular health. Starbucks, however, serves up some of the most unhealthy and calorie filled “coffee” drinks on the market. Here we take a look at 10 of the worst drinks that you can order up at your local Starbucks. If maximizing your total calories and fat intake is on your list of priorities then this is the definitive beverage list for you.

*Note that the chart reflects the venti with whole milk and whipped cream options. Please see below for 2% and nonfat milk options.

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1. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate with whole milk and whipped cream. Damage: 730 (690 with 2% milk) calories venti, 27 (22 with 2% milk) grams total fat in venti.

2. Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream. Damage: 700 (680 with 2% milk) calories venti, 26 (23 with 2% milk) grams total fat.

3. Mint Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Creme with chocolate whipped cream. Damage: 680 calories, 21 grams total fat (same calorie and total fat count for the venti whole milk, 2% milk and nonfat options according to Starbucks.com).

4. Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee  with whipped cream. Damage: 660 calories, 19 grams total fat (same calorie and total fat count for the venti whole milk, 2% milk and nonfat options according to Starbucks.com).

5. Tazo Green Tea Frappuccino Blended Crème with whipped cream. Damage: 650 calories, 15 grams total fat (same calorie and total fat count for the venti whole milk, 2% milk and nonfat options according to Starbucks.com).

6. Eggnog Latte. Damage: 630 calories (610 with 2% milk), 30  (27 with 2% milk) grams total fat.

7. Iced White Chocolate Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream. Damage: 630 (610 with 2% milk) calories, 27 (24 with 2% milk) grams total fat.

8. Java Chip Frappuccino Blended Coffee with whipped cream. Damage: 600 calories, 23 grams total fat (same calorie and total fat count for the venti whole milk and 2% milk options according to Starbucks.com).

9. Caramel Brulee Crème with whole milk and whipped cream. Damage: 600 (560 with 2% milk) calories, 22 (16 with 2% milk) grams total fat.

10. Espresso Truffle with whole milk and whipped cream. Damage: 560 calories, 21 grams total fat (whole and 2% milk options not available).

Some things to note: all of the items here are the venti counterparts. You can definitely knock down a few calories if you:

• Drop the size of your drink to a grande or a small.
• Choose 2% or nonfat milk over the very fattening whole milk option.
• If you want to drastically reduce the total fat count then pass on the whipped cream option.
• Just say no to anything Peppermint from Starbucks.
• Stay away from their Frappucinno menu but I quickly found out that simple drinks like hot chocolate can be just as dangerous.
• If you just have to have a Frappucinno then get one of their light blended options.

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Photos provided by Flickr users: danielparece, AK37, PowerBookTrance, iiraa, KenobiWanX, Katherine Ridgely, and raspberryteacup.

How To Prepare Espresso Video

Check out this excellent video from the guys at The Department of the 4th Dimension, a design and production studio. They examine what goes into making a cup of espresso by interviewing Kyle Glanville, a barista at Intelligentsia Coffee in Venice, California.

Some take home points:

• Every variable in espresso making is very critical.
• Any misstep will manifest itself in the cup.
• Feel the grind and then adjust accordingly.
• Preheat cup with hot water while you prepare the espresso.
• Make sure your filter basket is nice and dry so that the oil released from the coffee can do its job.
• Redistribute coffee in basket so that the water can extract the coffee evenly.
• Proper espresso extraction will take about 20-30 seconds.
• Adjust grind depending on the look and taste of your espresso.
• If your espresso shot looks pale, tastes a little thin then you might have to adjust grind a little finer.
• If your espresso shot looks black, too short and tastes super bitter and compact then adjust grind a little coarser.

Espresso, Intelligentsia from Department of the 4th Dimension on Vimeo.

Oh Expresso by Malongo

I know, it’s espresso and not expresso but French based coffee maker, Malongo, decided to go with the sexy and unorthodox spelling. In any case, the machine looks great despite having a bulky upper body. With Oh Expresso you have a choice of 7 coffee and 3 tea blends and it comes in three different colors: gold, black and white.

“This machine uses the 123 Spresso concept, a simply and effective system using pre-dosed coffee pods. It is a real espresso machine with a pressure of 16 bars. How does it work? Just slot the pod into the top of the machine, select the type of coffee you want to make and stop it once the coffee is served as you like it. The used pod is then automatically ejected into the box beneath the machine. It does not have a steam function for making cappuccinos.”

Buy the Oh Expresso from Malongo for 109€.

Nespresso Concept D290 + Aeroccino

The Nespresso D290 Concept Automatic Coffee-and-Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother is one sexy machine. It might be pricey, but think of it as an investment considering that you spend an arm and a leg on coffee and espresso at your favorite “not-to-be-named” coffee shop anyway. This model comes with the Aeroccino milk frother so that  you can make the perfect milk froth in mere seconds. They also have a model sans the Aeroccino if you could care less about froth.

Features:

• 1250-watt single-serve automatic espresso machine designed for coffee capsules
• 19-bar pump; ThermoBlock heating system; backlit control buttons; removable 40-ounce water tank
• Capsules eject semi-automatically into collection container; auto and programmable coffee quantity
• Includes 12 capsules, espresso cup, lungo cup, saucers, and 1-touch Aeroccino milk frother
• Machine measures 14 by 8-2/3 by 12-1/5 inches; milk frother measures 3-1/2 by 3-1/2 by 5-5/7 inches

Buy the Nespresso D290 Concept Automatic Coffee-and-Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother from Amazon for $438.58.

Cremapresso Espresso Machines

If you’re looking for a reason to splurge on a home espresso machine then look no further than the AEG EA 260 Cremapresso Espresso Machine. This German produced machine will bring the Italian taste of espresso in style. The EA 260 features semi-transparent cover integrated into the drip tray. It also has a heated cup hold which will come in handy when it comes to keeping your espresso hot. The Creamapresso is equipped with a programmable button function for 1 cup or 2 cups.

Buy the AEG EA 260 Cremapresso Espresso Machine from X for € 300.