Jura-Capresso Impressa E8; $1,000; www.capresso.comKimbal Musk, CEO, Me.diumI had never been a big fan of drip coffee, so I used to do what most workers do and head out to the nearest espresso joint whenever I needed a jolt of caffeine. But when I realized how much time it actually took to pick up my thrice-daily doses, I decided to get my own espresso maker. I thought all I wanted was a machine that was easy to use, brewed great java, and didn't leave a big mess.
With the Jura-Capresso Impressa E8, I got all of that and a lot more. Besides six grinding and three strength settings, the Jura-Capresso has a pre-infusion cycle that moistens the beans to maximize flavor, an organic additive that keeps the machine carbon-free and prevents calcification, and a filter that removes chlorine, lead, and other impurities from the water. That's pretty high-tech. Mostly, though, I'm glad that a daily necessity that once took 20 minutes now takes less than one.
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