KitchenAid may be best known for its iconic stand mixer, but the Benton Harbor-based appliance manufacturer is hoping to make waves in the at-home coffee maker industry as well.
On Monday, the company debuted three new products that Derek Ernst, a spokesman for KitchenAid, says will “bring barista quality to the home kitchen and celebrate the art of handcrafted coffee.”
Unlike traditional drip coffee makers, the Pour Over Coffee Brewer heats water to 200 degrees and then pulses it in carefully calibrated, staggered amounts to evenly saturate the grounds. Ernst says by simulating the craft brewing method of pour over coffee, the machine prevents flavor dilution by not over-soaking the grounds, resulting in a more full-flavored coffee.
The coffee maker — with a suggested retail price of $200 — has already earned the Home Brewer certification through the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the European Coffee Brewing Center. Only six coffee makers carry the title.
“We set out to build a coffee maker that far exceeds the average drip model with the ability to produce a nuanced, flavorful cup of coffee that satisfies even the most discerning coffee aficionados,” Ernst adds.
Also new to the company’s collection is the Nespresso, which is priced at around $400 and heats water in less than 30 seconds.
Carrying a suggested retail price of $1,300, the Pro Line Series Espresso Maker can both brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. A water dispenser can be used for Americanos, tea, and other drinks, with a water boil time of just six minutes. A no-drip, adjustable frothing arm fits into a variety of cup sizes, and can swivel horizontally and vertically for added convenience.