Most of the time coffee and coffee equipment show up at the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen for review. However, there’s times when other coffee related accessories make an appearance, they are often random, sometimes gimmicky and occasionally very useful that could completely change the coffee industry.

When I heard about the FoamAroma, I thought it was more on the gimmicky side of things. I almost didn’t respond to their email offering to review the product, I was afraid that I was going to end up giving it a negative review and that’s never fun or easy to do. But I did accept their offer and tonight the FoamAroma is in my kitchen.

What Is The FoamAroma?

The FoamAroma is a redesigned coffee lid for to-go cups, designed to “let you savor the foam, inhale the aroma, without getting burned.”

After opening up the package that the FoamAroma came in, I quickly realized that it wasn’t what I expected and that it might not be just a gimmick. I was under the wrong impression that the lid released some sort of foam that gave the drink some sort of coffee aroma. It’s nothing like that. It’s simply a redesigned lid and right away, I had a moment that this is brilliant…if it works as they describe it.

As far as savoring the foam, I can’t really speak to that. I simply had black coffee when I tried out the FoamAroma, however I can say that it did seem better constructed to allow room for the foam and prevent any from spilling out.

When it comes to inhaling the aroma, there is a large hole in the middle of lid. It did indeed allow aroma out of the cup and directly into my nose. Of course, that large hole allows the coffee to cool down quicker. My solution was simply to drink my coffee quicker, which I don’t think is such a bad idea for any coffee lover. On a side note, it didn’t cool down so quickly that I felt rushed to pound my drink.

The most important part to me was not getting burnt and this little lid impressed me. It did allow for slurping without burning my tongue and it was easy to drink from overall. I could taste more, sooner after the coffee was brewed, without having to wait forever for it cool down.

There’s two other benefits to using the FoamAroma. Because of the material it’s constructed with, it is reusable so you’ll be filling up the garbage dump with less lids. Also, it’s constructed with less material than the traditional to-go lid. Of course, it’s not as environmentally friendly as a thermos or travel mug, but it is an improvement.

I did not think that I was going to like the FoamAroma, but let me tell you that it was a winner. It really is a better design and I hope to see coffee shops across the country switching over to this lid.

Coming Soon To A Coffee Shop Near You? The FoamAroma? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Lots of unique coffee (and sometimes non-coffee) related items show up at the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen. Some are gimmicky, some might be the next big thing. Here’s a few of my favorites from the past month.

Adkaf Coffee Mug Holder

They promise that with an Adkaf you’ll never spill your coffee again. They say it is ideal for the office desk, coffee table, sewing table and of course your boat! They give older people peace of mind and can also be used to train young ones to drink from mugs. Adkafs are designed to fit D-handle mugs, and they hold most medium and large sized mugs. They are made from hard wearing plastic and are easy to clean. Most that description is their words, not mine.

I drink a lot of coffee and unfortunately I spill a lot of it too. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been trying it out at my desk and liked it. However, my favorite place to use it has been on the arm of my couch. I do wish it was a bit heavier, but it gets the job done preventing many accidental spills.

In case you were curious, Adkaf comes from the name of the two business partners behind the coffee mug holder Ally and Digby, then kaf is short for coffee.

Currently the Adkaf is only available only in New Zealand and online in the United Kingdom, but they are looking for retailers to expand into the United States.

‘Ripple’ Nespresso Pod Holder
I don’t own a Nespresso machine, but I wouldn’t mind having the ‘Ripple’ Nespresso Pod Holder in my kitchen.

‘Ripple’ is a custom built unit designed to hold capsule format coffee such as the Nespresso pods, and the basic unit starts at $140.00 CAN and holds 40 pods.[10.75"x 10.75"] Each additional channel, holding ten pods, is a further $10.00 [so to hold 100 pods, you're looking at $140.00 + $60.00 = $200.00] Each unit is built to order and can be made in Walnut, Cherry and Maple as well as Bamboo [pictured]. Ripple comes supplied with hardware for wall mounting or to free stand, and is finished with a hand-rubbed natural Hemp oil, also produced locally within the Toronto area. Sleek, clean and visually appealing, it allows for neat storage/display and access to many flavours and varieties of coffee with ease.

The ‘Ripple’ Nespresso Pod Holder comes to us via the urbanproduct, an emerging studio based in Toronto, Canada which focusing on product furniture and interior design. An eco consciousness and urge to use local suppliers and materials leads the one man studio to focus on re-use and recycling of many objects, whilst also employing North American hardwoods, locally produced materials such as concrete and Bamboo in some designs. Products are available through the urbanproduct website, by contacting the designer, and a range of products are soon to be launched across Canada in select stores and galleries, as well as in Europe and NYC.

Revive Energy Mints

I’ll let you watch this video for more information, than share my two cents with you about Revive Energy Mints.

Revive energy mints will never replace my coffee, but I could see myself using these for a quick pick me up if I’m stuck work, camping, etc – where I can’t get my coffee. You can definitely feel the caffeine and I’d even think about brining them along for a long car ride so that I don’t have to make so many stops at rest areas. The taste was mostly pleasant, there was a slightly un-mint like after taste that takes a point or two away from it. Overall I liked it, especially the caffeine boost.

The price for a 24 pack of Revive Energy Mints is $24.87 and right now they are throwing in an extra 14 for free.

What’s your opinion? Do these products sound like hits or misses? Have you tried any? Are there any you’d like to try.

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Fine Print.

Hits Or Misses? Coffee Mug Holder, Revive Energy Mints and ‘Ripple’ Nespresso Holder is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Many guys (and gals) collect t-shirts with their favorite bands or sports teams on the front of them. I do that too, but my fastest growing collection is my coffee t-shirt stock pile. However, there’s not much of a selection, that’s why I was excited to hear about this Caffeind t-shirt from Uppityshirts.

The story behind Uppityshirts is that the founder, Timothy Cataldo was walking into local restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut one day when he bumped into a woman wearing a t-shirt that said, simply, “ho”. His first thought was ho means “good” in Cantonese. His second: how could such an obviously intelligent (and educated) Ivy-Leaguer wear something so trite and demeaning? He decided to start a company right then and there to dumb t-shirt humor up, and save the world. Thus Uppityshirts was created, mostly as an antidote to what Cataldo sees as today’s pervasive and persistent sophomor(on)ic humor and lame p.c. posturing.

Their collection includes more than twenty other tees including some great ones like Well-(Read) and I’d Rather Be Grammatically Correct.

The their tee’s are unisex short-sleeve, 100% pure American Apparel excellence that flatters java addicts of every description.

You can buy one for yourself or your favorite coffee fiend for $25.

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Fine Print

Are You A Caffiend? Here’s A Shirt To Add To Your Collection is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

I have an addiction to coffee and a growing t-shirt collection. T-shirts with bands that’s no one has ever heard of, more NY Yankees t-shirts than one person should ever have, but not enough coffee shirts. This t-shirt from Coy Clothes, titled “Coffee Junkie” helps solve my coffee t-shirt shortage.

Coffee? Crack? Coffee. Hands down. Here we have a medium, charcoal slim fit shirt with a cream coffee patch. The “too damn close” patch in the back collar gently reminds people to keep their distance.

- Coy Clothes Description

The shirt from Coy Clothes isn’t cheap, $45 but it is made out of bamboo. It’s comfortable to wear and easy on the earth.

Coy Clothes has one other coffee shirt, “Are We Out Of Coffee?” They also have other retro images that range from sweet to naughty and a catchy text to go with it.

Huge thanks to Coy Clothes for sharing one of their t-shirts with me.

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Fine Print.

Coffee. Cheaper Than Crack T-Shirt is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Not too long ago, I posted tips for making iced coffee and used a photo with coffee bean shaped ice cubes. It turns out that I wasn’t the only coffee nerd that thought they were pretty cool.

Anyways, I did some searching and found them on sale at Amazon for just $8. It would make for an interesting gift for a coffee lover or conversation over coffee.

This has to be one of the most unique coffee paraphernalia that I’ve come across. Can you top this?

Coffee Beans Ice Cube Tray is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Like many guys, I love electronic gadgets. I have my XM radio, Heineken Beer Tender and George Foreman grill. However, I’m just beginning to discover the world coffee gadgets and gizmos. Here’s a few that have caught my eye.

USB Beverage Cup Cooler And Warmer

I’ll admit that I’m a computer nerd, and this USB Beverage Cup Cooler And Warmer seems like the perfect solution to keep my morning coffee hot, or my iced coffee cool during the summer. I suppose you could use it to keep your soda cool, but really besides coffee, I just drink water and orange juice.

I know they’re not exactly new, but they’re new to me. This is another thing that I stumbled across while doing my research for Fresh Brews this week. I have all sorts of gadgets that I barely ever use, but this one you would see a lot of use on my desk.

• Built-in cooling fan
• Easy on/off control
• Durable, compact design
• Keeps your favorite beverage hot or cold
• USB device plugs into your computer for power – so it’s completely portable

What else do you need? I’m adding it to my wishlist. You can buy it Amazon for $19.95.

200-Watt Coffee Cup Inverter with USB Charging Port and Two Outlets

Ok, so it’s not exactly a coffee gadget, but I had to include it.  It looks like a coffee cup, but it’s actually a portable power source for in your car. I really don’t need it, it’s not often that I need my laptop when I’m in my car and I have a car charger for my cell phone, but I still think it would be cool to have.

• Convenient and attractive coffee cup inverter with 2 AC outlets and 1 USB charging port via 200/400-watt inverter
• Powers TV’s, DVD players, game consoles, electronic instruments, and more
• Provides 200-watt continuous and 400-watt peak power via 120-volt AC outlet
• Unique coffee cup shape conveniently fits today’s auto/boat/truck cup holders
• USB charging port provides 500mA of power

This one is on sale for less than $33 at Amazon.

New York Coffee Electric Mug

Want your coffee stirred without actually having to stir your coffee? It looks like a regular stainless steel mug, but this electric mug will keep sugar and cream from settling to the bottom of your cup.. When I tried the New York Coffee, one of the options was to get this electric coffee mug. I’ll admit that I don’t use it a lot, but it’s still something cool to have.

With the New York Coffee introductory offer, you get four pounds of their coffee with an option to buy the electric mug for a total of $24.95. They say the mug itself is a twenty dollar value, so add that in with four pounds of coffee and it’s a really good deal. Check it out at Coffee For Less.

What cool coffee related gadgets do you have?

Random Coffee Gadgets And Thingamajigs is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee