technabob » tea

decaf test strips to curb your paranoia

alisha k. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:42:53 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered if that decaf coffee is really devoid of caffeine, or if your waiter really brought you the decaf tea, Silver Lake Research may have a very convenient answer to your constant paranoia: decaf beverage test strips. This is science, people.

Sadly, it might not work on your lattes. Silver Lake Research cautions that the strips should be used before you add any syrups or milk to your drinks, but they can be used on either hot or cold beverages. Oh well. Perhaps the perfect gift for your maiden aunt? You know, the one who swears that real coffee will make her bladder explode through her nostrils.

Since all decaf bevvies still contain a little jolt, the single-use strips will only detect caffeine above a 20 mg-to-6 oz ratio, and they’re available in packs of 20 for $9.95. Might be worth the cash to buy a few and start indiscriminately dipping them into your friends’ drinks. Knowledge, people, is power.

[Medgadget via Slippery Brick]

automatic hot/cold mug takes your coffee’s temperature

technabob — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:00:29 +0000

A little while back, I told you guys about a nifty coffee mug that could automatically change states from “on” to “off” when a hot beverage hit its surface. While that mug turned out to be insanely popular, many of you pointed out the fact that a simple change in the design to read “hot / cold” would make infinitely more sense. Well ask, and ye shall receive.

The gang over at Charles & Marie listened to your feedback, and have worked with Dutch designer Damien O’Sullivan to produce a new version of the minimal black-and-white mug that says “cold” when it’s cold, and “hot” when it’s hot. It’s amazing how one small text change can really make such a difference. Heck, just the utility of knowing when that coffee that’s been sitting in there all day long is cold as ice should be enough to merit the $25 price tag.

Charles & Marie is now offering the Hot/Cold mug on a pre-order basis now, so if you want one, you’d better head on over and place your order. They should start shipping in about three weeks.

on/off coffee mug

technabob — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:35:40 +0000

This simple, clever mug automatically indicates its current state of mind when you pour a hot beverage into it.

In its dormant state, the mug offers a black “OFF” display, but once your hot coffee or tea hits the inside, it gradually transforms to read “ON”. A heat sensitive pigment changes the color of the mug from black to white.

While it may be designed for coffee, the $25 mug is Charles & Marie’s “Soupe du Jour” offer of the day. So if you want one in time for the holidays, you better grab yours now.