A new revolution?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEURIG
The Keurig Alta coffee maker uses the new K-Rounds capsules as well as classic plastic capsules, if necessary.
Thirty years after launching the first individual coffee capsules, Keurig claims to want to once again revolutionize the way of making coffee at home. Its K-Rounds capsules are made of compressed fresh ground coffee which is held in place thanks to a vegetable film – Keurig has obtained the exclusive rights of use and development for North America of a technology patented by Delica Switzerland. Exit plastic and aluminum, Keurig plans that its K-Rounds capsules will be certified compostable. Each capsule also has a unique brew style code that will be read by the new Alta coffee maker, which will automatically adjust brew parameters such as pressure, flow and water temperature. It will therefore be possible to prepare a short espresso, a filter coffee or an iced coffee with one and the same machine. The Alta coffee maker can also use traditional Keurig capsules, if necessary.
Public testing period in fall 2024, release date to be announced
Visit the Keurig website
Versatility in the cup
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NINJA KITCHEN
The Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System uses Nespresso capsules as well as ground coffee.
The Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System is another ultra-versatile machine that can make both filter coffee and espresso, with the added bonus of a built-in milk frother. In the left part, we find a classic filter coffee maker that can be adjusted depending on whether you want a classic, rich or iced infusion, while the right section accommodates Nespresso-type capsules in a system that supports a pressure of 19 bars. We can therefore prepare a short espresso, a long one, a cappuccino, a latte, a cup of filter coffee, a 12-cup carafe or even an iced coffee, depending on our mood. As for maintenance, everything can be cleaned in the dishwasher, including the milk frother head.
Price: $270
Visit the Ninja Kitchen website
From grain to cup
PHOTO PROVIDED BY XBLOOM
The xBloom coffee maker allows you to automate the making of V60-style filter coffee.
Decorated last year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as much for its design as for its technological innovation, the xBloom coffee maker completely automates the preparation of V60-style filter coffee, from bean to cup. We start from the roasted beans, which are ground in the integrated mill of the pretty machine. Once deposited in the compostable filter, the ground coffee moves under the spout which activates by pouring the water in a circular manner, as it should. This is the simple way to use the xBloom, as one can also choose to purchase the xPods capsules, which not only contain selected beans, but also the specific brewing parameters which are decoded by radio frequency identification. You can also personalize and save the brew style using an application downloaded to an Apple or Android device.
Price: $1249
Visit the xBloom website (in English)
Coffee on the go
PHOTO PROVIDED BY WACACO
The small Minipresso NS2 is the first manual French press coffee maker to use Nespresso capsules.
Winner of a Red Dot design award in 2023, the Minipresso NS2 is the latest from Wacaco, the Hong Kong company behind the world’s first portable piston espresso machine. The new manual device in turn innovates by being the most compact to use Nespresso-type capsules, an undeniable advantage when going camping – of course making sure to bring your used capsules with you. The device, which weighs barely 290 grams, includes a 60 ml cup which is removed to reveal the pressurized filter holder which allows you to produce a short espresso at cream very rich. After installing the capsule at the base, hot water is added to the upper part before sealing everything. Finally, we press the piston to extract the coffee – it is possible to reach a pressure of 18 bars. If you prefer to use ground coffee, you can opt for the Picopresso, another Wacaco device decorated with a Red Dot award.
Price: $84
Visit the Wacaco website
Warm to your fingertips
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JURA
Jura, which already builds large capacity cup warmers, now offers a compact device that fits under the kitchen cabinet.
The quality of a coffee brew is of course essential, but we must not neglect certain details which may seem trivial. For example, pouring fresh coffee into a cold cup causes the sacred beverage to lose almost 10 degrees in one go. This prevents the aromas from fully developing in the cup – we agree that drinking lukewarm coffee is downright unpleasant. Jura thus offers a device which makes it possible to maintain the cups placed inside the device at a constant temperature of approximately 55°C. A cover prevents heat loss and thus saves energy. With its sleek design and relatively compact dimensions – around 25 cm long – the Jura cup warmer accommodates a choice of eight espresso cups, six coffee cups or four cappuccino cups.
Price: $229
Visit the Jura website