Drinking

If we were to ever give it much thought, we probably would have ventured to guess that coffee makers and Swarovski crystals probably wouldn't make a great combination. But that's what happens when one works for Crave: The irrational exuberance of some gadget makers forces the most unthinkable thoughts to the surface.

Indeed, the mere sight of the hideous "Nespresso Crystal Coffee Machine" from the U.K.'s infamous Goldstriker is enough to cause temporary blindness, but the $4,000 price tag will afflict the digestive system too. There is some amusement to be had, however, … Read more

So much for our trend-spotting skills. We thought for sure that, where beer dispensing is concerned, the next big thing would be built-in taps, whether they be for the fridge or the game console. Instead, what seems to be taking hold is the portable version, we assume for reasons of practicality.

Case in point (so to speak): The Heineken "BeerTender," which Gizmodo says it wrote about nearly four years ago, at long last is arriving on U.S. shores. The attractive dispenser accommodates a 5-liter mini-keg, though the long delay means it'll face some stiff competition. Even … Read more

I'm a little militant when it comes to steeping my tea. In my mind, there's nothing worse than having a much-anticipated tea break ruined by the bitter taste of leaves that have soaked too long. Unfortunately, this preference often results in fingertip burns from lifting the still-hot infuser out of my teapot once the 2- to 6-minute brewing time has elapsed.

Enter the Tea Control Teapot with Brew Stop Infuser, whose lengthy name spells out pretty much all you need to know. The heat-resistant glass pot features a built-in infuser with a handy design trick: a door that … Read more

I love sparkling water, and I was accustomed to buying a bottle or two (or three) from the office vending machine and enjoying a glass of San Pellegrino at home in the evening. But once I started working from home I had to face the terrible side effects of my addiction: high grocery bills, heavy shopping bags, and a recycling bin filled to overflowing with large glass or plastic bottles.

That last bit, especially, started to weigh on me. How much energy went into making that bottle? What's the carbon footprint of a case of water that's been … Read more

In a study that could make marketing managers and salespeople rub their hands with glee, scientists have used brain-scanning technology to shed new light on the old adage, "You get what you pay for."

Researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Stanford's business school have directly seen that the sensation of pleasantness that people experience when tasting wine is linked directly to its price. And that's true even when, unbeknownst to the test subjects, it's exactly the same Cabernet Sauvignon with a dramatically different price tag.

Specifically, the researchers found that with the higher … Read more

If you have a caffeine habit that even remotely approaches ours, you've probably given at least a fleeting thought to trading in those Starbucks gift cards for your own espresso machine. And this latest model from De Dietrich is sure to make the idea all the more tempting.

Built-in espresso makers are nothing new, but the DED700X's technology seems to elevate the process to an art form. For starters, it has an LED screen, touch controls, and all kinds of digital indicators to help keep you from messing up. Just imagine: As many venti soy chai lattes as … Read more

Making sport of Hong Kong-based Brando is something of a popular pastime here at Crave (can you blame us?), but we should give the company its due respect in the latest of its wares. Unlike so many other of its products, its USB cup warmer actually incorporates some useful functions and doesn't look like it came free with a 12-pack of Charmin.

In addition to heating your chai latte, it has a USB hub that includes four ports and even has a small LCD clock that indicates the temperature. That could be either good or bad, depending on your … Read more

Something for the tea lover and gadgeteer in your life that won't break your holiday budget.

The Tea Stick from Chiasso for $20 is a stainless steel spring-loaded stick and sieve. You use the tiny shovel to scoop loose tea and load it in the stick. The stick is completely enclosed when dunking.

In preparation of the gastronomic orgy that will take place in a just a few days, Crave continues its beverage-oriented theme for professional imbibers and teetotalers alike. In today's installment, we cater to the oenophiles among us.

What's special about this latest appliance isn't that it chills your favorite vintage to order--we've seen plenty of those--but it can control the temperature of two bottles at once, according to Product Dose. The "Coldmate EF-8780 Thermocool" actually bills itself as a digital warmer as well as a cooler, which strikes us as a bit odd. … Read more