My mouth always waters at the sound of a vanilla or hazelnut flavored espresso drink. And when strolling through the supermarket I've begun to notice more and more the many varieties of coffee beans available. Flavors from French roast to raspberry to chocolate... all with flashy, yummy looking labels to lure you in. But, it's only because I know better that I don't buy them. These beans get their flavors through oils that are added during the roasting process. If you were to purchase a package and take a look at the beans, you would notice that they are shinny and slippery. This is because of these flavor oils. Most people wouldn't think anything of it, but if you use flavored beans in your Super Automatic espresso machine or with your home grinder, you'll be quick to notice that the constancy and quality of brew will diminish. As the beans are ground to an espresso fineness, the oils cause the grounds to be more paste-like than powdery. In a Super Automatic machine, you'll start to experience a much slower brew, or clogging of the machine. You'll have to adjust your grinder to a coarser grind more often to insure that the beans move fluently through the machine. This will diminish your brew quality, thus wasting the money that you've spent on these seemingly scrumptious beans. Instead, I would recommend purchasing a nice medium roast or blended roast bean like our Lavazza Super Crema. This bean will always grind up nice and give you the smooth, bold flavor that you're looking for. Then for the added kick of flavor, look into our Monin syrups. When using a home grinder to grind these flavored beans, the oils of the beans will stick to the inside of the grinder and burrs and you will always have a hint of this flavor. You'll get the taste that you crave, without the added headache of grinder adjustments or additional clean up. Next time you are out and about and need a coffee, watch the Baristas at your local cafe. You'll notice that they add syrup to your cappuccino or latte and do not use flavored beans in their grinders. With that said, when adding the flavor after brewing you can make all kinds creative coffee drinks. Bon-appetit!

It's an undisputed fact, workplace kitchens are black holes for all things of personal value. If you're trying to prevent a co-worker from helping him or herself to your coffee mug, scratching your name into it with magic marker does not work. This is why a new invention called the "Lock-Cup" has taken mug preservation to the next level. The five-finger-discount-proof cup has a hole that prevents unauthorized drinkers from using it; only the owner--who has a unique key that acts as a plug can use the mug. While the theory behind the "Lock-Cup" is rock solid, do you really want to be known, amongst your co-workers, as that guy that locks up his mug?

In other invention news, Japanese designer Ryohei Yoshiyuki has created the world's first ashtray made of coffee grounds. Spent grounds are known for their ability to mask the smell of cigarette ash. Yoshiyuki's invention gives a whole new meaning to coffee and cigarettes.

I'm desperately looking forward to spending a few days in Vegas. Winter in New York simply isn't my cup of coffee. I've already accepted the fact that, no matter which airline I fly with, the 6-8 hour commute is going to be miserable. So, I decided to splurge on a decent hotel to make up for it.

Unfortunately staying on the Strip means steep prices for a morning Americano. And, most high-end resorts no longer provide in-room coffee makers. But believe it or not, their motives for removing in-room coffee machines may not be based purely on maximizing profit....

Apparently, hotel brewers have been known to be used to manufacture meth! While this may sound like an urban legend, it is sadly the truth. In fact, Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant Jim Wingo insists that he has seen it many times. With modern methods, it is possible to produce enough methamphetamine for personal use in mini coffeemakers and do so without giving off the tell-tale odor that would raise a red flag. If the meth cook took the time to clean up after him or herself, you may never know that your brewer was used to make narcotics.

While it may look clean, I'm not sure I'd chance ingesting toxic chemicals. Given the alternative, paying an arm and leg for a cup of Joe, I've been eyeing the Handpresso Dome Pod. Has anyone taken a Handpresso on the road? Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Tho
Writing Department

Some people think outside of the box, others refuse to even acknowledge said box. So, what do you get when mix a love of espresso with this sort of free-thinking mentality? Well, for starters, some pretty strange brewing machines...   

Our first nominee for the oddest espresso machine reportedly takes its inspiration straight from comic books, turned blockbuster movies. If you've seen "Iron Man," you no doubt remember hero Tony Stark's glowing electronic heart. Look closely, do you see the resemblance in the Nespresso Caffe Inn concept machine? Created with the aid of French designer Charles Teyssier, the Caffe Inn is, quite possibly, the world's first espresso machine fit for a superhero.

The second nominee is a custom Rancilio S27 that looks as though it can go from zero to sixty in record-breaking time. Tricked out by Tal Fishman of Espresso Smith, the machine has been adorned with chopper parts to give it the appearance of a true road warrior, be it one that can make a mean shot of espresso! Brewing and steaming features of this one-of-a-kind espresso machine are fully functional and controlled by the handle bars.
 

Last but, not least, are the sister machines from Saeco. The Etienne Louis and Jules both look as though they would be handy in a post-apocalyptic world. These futuristic espresso machines could probably make great coffee while defending against an alien attack.

Who should take home the grand prize as the strangest espresso machine; which of these inventive designs do you find the most intriguing?

Espresso goliaths, Lavazza and Nestle--whose holdings include Nespresso--have a lot to compete over, but what's it got to do with Clooney? Well, the much-celebrated actor includes European commercials in his portfolio of work. One such commercial, filmed for Nespresso with fellow thespian John Malkovich, featured a heavenly scene that has piqued rival Lavazza's interests.

Lavazza, who has long running campaign revolving around the concept of coffee beyond the Pearly Gates, is crying foul. The company has filed a complaint with the Istituto dell'Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria, the official Italian advertising regulatory association, and is eagerly awaiting the verdict. For its part, Nespresso maintains that the commercial is based on an original concept and not lifted from Lavazza's playbook.

In this clash of coffee giants, who will you side with? Take a look at the commercials in question and judge for yourself.

Lavazza's Commercial Montage:

Nespresso's New Commercial: