Cool Hunting

Last week, CH featured the latest in Coffee Innovations—from a coffee maker that displays weather forecasts to Nespresso's no-fuss, high-end Le Cube. This week we turn our attention to the classics, rounding up the best (and some of the more unknown) traditional ways to brew a cup of Joe. Leaving out cone filters and French Press (choices are more or less straightforward in those styles), what follows are the devices sans-bells-and-whistles that the CH team counts on for making great coffee.

Krups
Elegant design and solid German engineering has made Krups the go-to brand for nearly a half-century of coffee lovers looking for reliable basic machines.

For making café quality espresso at home, the recently-released Krups XP4030 Pump Espresso Machine (pictured left) is an easy-to-use, quality choice . Equipped to brew coffee and froth milk at the flip of a switch, the Krups XP 4030 has a stainless steel-lined heating element that ensures optimal temperature and pressure, producing a satisfying crema for an at-home appliance. The Krups XP 4030's versatility—it accommodates both ground espresso and pre-portioned pods which store inside the lid of the machine—is an added bonus. Available from Krups or Amazon for $150.

Also new from Krups, the Krups FMF5 Coffee Machine (pictured above right) updates their classic drip makers. The attractive slim design features an LED control panel with 24-hour clock that can be programmed to brew coffee each day at a set time. A built-in water filtration system removes chlorine and lime scale and the Krups FMF5 features a double-wall stainless steel carafe to maintain flavor and temperature longer, eliminating cofee-burning warming elements. Available in black or white from Krups or from Amazon for $100.

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Mill
Far superior to blade mechanisms, burr grinders ensure an even grind for optimal brewing. Considered the world's first electric coffee grinder created for in-home use, the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Mill (pictured right) can make sixteen different grinds to suit any brewing process, from espresso to French Press. Originally styled in 1938 by designer Egmont Arens the Kitchen-Aid Burr Coffee Mill is made from die-cast metal with a glass hopper that holds up to a pound of beans. Including a glass measuring cup and a brush to ease cleaning, the Burr Coffee Mill is available from KitchenAid in black, white, red, blue, metallic chrome and Tangerine orange for $130. Also available in "Cook For The Cure" pink, KitchenAid will donate $10 of the purchase price to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

FrancisFrancis
With the good looks of a vintage airplane and built to last, the FrancisFrancis X-series (designed by Italian architect Luca Trazzi) are the ultimate home espresso makers. Engineered to create a perfect espresso using the ideal ratios of pressure, water, coffee (it uses Illy pods), temperature and extraction time, the line comes in a wide variety of colors and several models from the original X1 to the latest X6 (pictured above left). Featuring an updated design geared towards ease of use, the X6 allows three lengths of extraction using the intuitive rotation of the central filter holder. X1, X3, X5 and X6 models are available from Unica Home and start at $400.

Stella Stovetop Espresso Maker
Introduced to us by a CH friend (whose mother—also a CH reader—brought it from Italy), we've never tasted a better espresso made on a stovetop than that from this stainless steel Stella (pictured above right). Similar makers exist stateside, but don't quite match up—order one from Gioia della Casa starting at €36 for a one-cup and going up to €57 for the 10-cup size.

A CH team effort by Leti and Ami