The world of fine coffee offers up a near-infinite selection of accessories for the brewing and drinking of your favorite beverage. We’re always exploring new tools and vessels for java junkies, looking to separate the practical and fun stuff from all the nonessentials.
Our latest obsession from the realm of coffee gadgets? Soft, flexible food-grade silicone.
A non-toxic polymer made mostly from silica (that’s the major component in sand), food-grade silicone is smooth like rubber, and super easy to clean. It’s a terrific eco-friendly material that can withstand a wide range of temperature shifts, from heating to freezing, and unlike most plastics, this silicone won’t leach any hazardous chemicals or strange flavors into your coffee. Which is another way of saying that it’s hypoallergenic and odor-resistant. Ah, the possibilities!
If there’s any coffee left over from your morning pot, try pouring it into a silicone ice cube tray. They come in several shapes and sizes (we like small, simple cubes or half-spheres) and can move easily from countertop to freezer. After about four hours, your flexible trays will easily pop out handfuls of delicious coffee cubes, and you’ll never have to drink watered-down iced coffee again.
For those who do a lot of camping, or simply can’t stand drinking hotel-room coffee, you may want to look into getting your own personal collapsible coffee dripper. Functional and convenient, these little silicone gadgets ensure you’re always ready to brew your best. They fit with most standard paper filters, and easily squash down to pop into your backpack or suitcase without any breakage worries. When you’re ready to brew, just drop in a filter, place the whole thing on top of your mug or small pitcher, and drip away.
For drinkers on the go -- and who isn’t these days? -- we’ve added an amazing silicone travel cup to our Kahwa merchandise. Whether you’re on your daily commute or headed for the beach, our sunny yellow silipint comfortably holds 16 ounces of coffee to keep you going, and comes with a built-in lid and straw. Thick and sturdy, but still delightfully squeezable with a grippy outer surface, our silipint is made of 100 percent food-grade, FDA approved, platinum-cured silicone free of BPA, BPS and phthalates. Get your hands on one, and you’ll soon see why we can’t get enough of this silicone stuff.
