Ideal for home office refreshment heaven
Lockdown saw coffee machine sales soar. Coffee connoisseurs’ magazine Communicaffe reported in October of last year that Brits had spent over £2 billion on coffee machines and other products during the first lockdown, keen to replicate their barista made cups whilst cafes remained closed.
Considering we’ve seen two more lockdowns since then, and drank several million more cups in between (and that’s just in the IDEAL office), we wouldn’t be surprised if that £2 billion figure had doubled.
The top three bestselling coffee machines of 2020 include the DeLonghi Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, The Barista Express by Sage and Jura E8 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, though if you’re looking for something more compact, we’re big fans of the K-Mini by Keurig and the K-Mini Plus which don’t take up so much countertop real estate but still makes a great cup of the good stuff.
To drink deeply from our favourite mug and explore further, here are some reasons why people love Keurig home coffee machines.
CONVENIENCE
Though cafes, snack bars and bistros have largely reopened now, the convenience of a home coffee machine remains long after lockdowns and restrictions have eased. The prospect of working from home looks set to continue for the foreseeable future for many, with nearly half the UK’s workforce doing so in July.
Those once spontaneous but increasingly routine trips to the local coffee shop for your favourite cortado or iced latte can really eat into your downtime, but a short sashay to the kitchen to brew up a barista-level drink? Count us in.
COST
Let’s break the numbers down a little, into small, manageable sips. According to research published by London Loves Business, the average Brit spends £2160 in coffee shops in a single year, with that figure rising to £2600 for the self-employed. This is because many use coffee shops as their ‘coffice’ (we’re not so sure this term will take off) and conduct the majority of their work from inside one.
Now, with the average cost of a domestic coffee machine clocking in at £100 for pod coffee machines, £200 for ground coffee machines and £850 for bean-to-cup coffee machines, it’s an investment that pretty much pays for itself within a few months. Considering your home is now your office anyway, the investment makes even more sense.
QUALITY
But why not just rely on a stovetop percolator or cafetiere, we hear you cry? Well, the choice here comes down to one thing; quality. The automated elements of a coffee machine remove a lot of the unpredictable, often unmanageable variables from your coffee making, delivering a delicious cup every single time.
The ideal temperature, the optimum duration of brewing, the delicious frothiness, that quintessential thickness…if you’re keen for a reliably perfect cup, automate the process with a machine.
Read: 6 tips for making your coffee taste great at home
SPEED
How long does it take you to get out of your home working outfit (pyjamas, we see you), slip on your shoes, amble to the cafe, sit down and savour a coffee? Sure, the escape is part of the enjoyment, but on occasions when you’re pushed for time but still seeking a professional tasting cup of coffee, a domestic coffee machine will be your saviour.
STATUS
Hey, we all know just how swish a domestic coffee machine looks on the kitchen counter, a proud but subtle statement of good taste. Introduce one to your home and suddenly, it’s become the focal point of casual meet-ups with friends and more formal networking with colleagues (if that’s how you want to play it, of course). Whatever they’re coming round for, the best way to impress your guests with a deceptively simple cup of coffee is by using a machine.
Indeed, a coffee machine is a fine status symbol, with kitchen kit no longer considered purely utilitarian; it also brings aesthetic function.
So, what are you waiting for? Mine’s a double ristretto.