Origin coffee machine concept pays tribute to Ethiopia

Whenever I take my first sip of coffee in the morning, I am always thankful to whoever it was that first developed coffee and the farmers who harvested this particular blend I’m drinking. While some of the world’s best coffee is generally known to come from Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam (my country, the Philippines, will hopefully someday be included in that list), one of the unsung heroes of the industry is Ethiopia where coffee beans have been thriving since the 7th century. This concept design for a coffee maker pays tribute to the East African country.

Designer: Cheese C

The Origin coffee maker concept wants to bring “meaningful coffee” to your cup by reminding you of its origins. The shape of the coffee maker is inspired by the map of Ethiopia, although of course it’s not in the exact shape but is modeled after the basic outline. This way, the designer is able to “honor” the origin of coffee, although historians can’t really say that the locals who grew the beans cultivated or consumed these precious beans there.

But in any case, the Origin name is pretty apt. The shape is part cylindrical and part rectangular but with a slight protruding top, particularly where the “pressured” coffee comes out. At first glance, it reminds me of a traditional moka pot but without the spout and the handle. It is made from metal and the color is achromatic, giving it an industrial feel that can match other kitchen appliances if that’s your theme. The finishing is not smooth though as it intentionally makes it look like it has corrosions and scratches.

The product design makes it seem easy to use as there are just a few buttons you need to press including the on/off and open/close buttons. You have the option to make an espresso or an americano and there’s also a button or level for the water and the beans. Being a coffee addict, this is something I may actually consider especially as it was designed meaningfully. But of course, a coffee maker or machine is only as good as its beans and the water you use.