Coffee | Technology at the service of the cup

Coffee may have been a beverage that has been consumed for hundreds of years, but the way it is prepared advances at the pace of technology. Ultra-sophisticated machines, inventive gadgets, the world of coffee is constantly expanding. A look.

A new revolution?

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

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

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

Winner of a Red Dot design award in 2023, the Minipresso NS2 is the latest from Wacaco, a Hong Kong company responsible for 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

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 drink 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 therefore offers a device which allows the cups placed inside the device to be maintained at a constant temperature of around 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