Cyclone Carafe by Icosa Brewhouse

The Cyclone from Ices Brewhouse is one of the best-looking coffee carafes I have come across. The clear glass and striking shape make the coffee itself part of the display, and it would not look out of place on a kitchen counter or at a high-end coffee shop. It is the kind of piece that people tend to comment on when they see it, which is not something I would usually say about a coffee carafe.

I also found that the shape is functional. The waves in the carafe are designed for swirling, and a few gentle swirls bring a freshly brewed batch of coffee down to a comfortable drinking temperature much faster than I would have expected. This is useful if you are impatient or tend to burn your tongue on the first sip, and it also helps to enhance the flavor of the coffee by reducing the temperature more quickly. In addition, the shape seems to gather the aroma of the coffee and direct it upward, so lifting the carafe to your nose becomes a more enjoyable part of the experience. Since so much of how we taste coffee depends on how it smells, I believe this is a meaningful benefit and not just a gimmick.

However, the Cyclone is not without its flaws. Its main weakness is that it does not pour particularly well. The same shape that makes it so attractive and aromatic also makes it awkward to control, and it is easy to dribble if you are not careful. While this is not a dealbreaker, it is something to keep in mind if you are pouring for guests or in a hurry. Overall, I would recommend the Cyclone to anyone who values the look and sensory experience of their coffee, as long as they are willing to pour carefully.