Appliance Innovations
Appliance Innovations Perking Up The Market Elegance meets performance in cream of coffee makers by Gary Smith Coffee prices may be soaring but so, too, is the popularity of the beverage, particularly among younger drinkers. And this year’s crop of coffee makers also point up another significant trend — the consumer’s desire for a gourmet coffee experience. Melitta comes to IFA with a range of fully automatic coffee machines, including the Caffeo Gourmet for coffee connoisseurs and a new version of Caffeo Bistro for energy-conscious coffee lovers. The fully automated Caffeo Gourmet makes everything from cappuccino and latte to café crème. Mild coffee is possible thanks to the new Extra Mild function, while the Bean Select feature allows the discerning coffeedrinker to choose between two types of beans. The patented frothing function — Perfect Cappuccino — converts milk into a froth by whisking it directly in the glass with hot steam. Temperature and creaminess can be manually adjusted according to preference. Caffeo Gourmet was awarded the coveted PREVIEW Award, which is presented by independent journalists. For those who want their coffee green, Melitta’s “One push of a button deliver you with an espresso, ristretto or lungo customised to your desired strength, temperature and length.” The CafeRomatica 840 Marrone relaunched Caffeo Bistro automatic coffee machine is the ideal choice — it only consumes as much power as it needs. The device, which uses less than 0.5W of electricity in stand-by mode, already meets the requirements of the new European Eco-Design Directive, which goes into effect in 2013. The Caffeo Bistro’s new look includes an adjustable spout and the Perfect Cappuccino and Bean Select features. Caffeo Bistro is positioned as a prime product in the medium-price segment. Fans of filter coffee also have something to look forward to — the popular Optima coffee machine with its automatic decalcifying programme and display is now available in a new version, Optima Timer. Featuring a practical timer function and available in black and white models, the Optima Timer allows users to set the time they would like to drink their freshly brewed morning coffee before going to bed. The premium retail brand Nivona is also showcasing a number of new products that reflect its motto: ‘A passion for coffee’. The Nuremberg-based specialist brand’s IFA highlights include the CafeGrano 130 coffee mill. Although identical to its popular predecessor in many respects, the new model features a solid plastic body, which helps to reduce noise levels when in operation. Available from September, the CafeGrano 130 also features a conical grinder made of high quality, hardened , ensuring that even the most precious roasts are ground to perfection. But Nivona’s most attractive fully automatic coffee machine of the season is surely the CafeRomatica 840 Marrone. On the outside, it’s a mocha-brown metallic colour. On the inside, there’s plenty of performance Melitta’s Caffeo Bistro The Philips Saeco Intelia under the bonnet — i n c l u d i n g a d o u b l e - cappuccino function that can produce two latte specialities simultaneously. Also reflecting the flight to quality — and health — among coffee-drinkers are the new Philips Saeco Intelia models, which are the first fully automatic espresso machines for home use to be honoured with an in-cup quality label by the Centro Studi Assaggiatori Italian Tasters — the most advanced Italian consultancy company in sensory analysis. Philips claims that it has never been so easy to make perfect coffee from freshly ground beans — one push of a button and the Saeco Intelia models deliver you with an espresso, ristretto or lungo customised to your desired strength, temperature and length. www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Monday 5 th September 2011 39
