A stand mixer can easily be one of the most exciting purchases ever made for the kitchen, especially for anyone who bakes a lot.

Bread dough is extremely tough on a machine. Frequent use will wear out many of the mass-produced stand mixers, especially if they are used for heavier doughs and yeasted breads. For those, a strong mixer is needed, one that will keep going long enough to form the gluten that is essential for a good loaf of bread.

For regular bread makers, especially those making large batches or heavier doughs, a high-quality stand mixer to help out with all of that kneading can be enormously helpful.

The Ankarsrum Assistent Original is our top pick mixer for bread making, and should be considered for any serious baker as well. It is, in our opinion, the benchmark standard, thanks to its superior performance, construction and ease of use.

The biggest difference between dense, heavy baked goods and delightfully textured products is proper development of the gluten in the dough. The powerful Ankarsrum mixer is a master of kneading technique.

It is a solid machine built to last decades, and is often passed down over several generations, thanks to its outstanding functionality and long-term reliability.

The mixer’s design, durability, capacity, stability and quality far exceed most other brands. It is a very powerful mixer that excels at heavy and large batches of bread dough, delivering smooth, silky and elastic dough every time. Impressively, it can handle both very small and very big jobs extremely well, and has been a favourite amongst serious bakers for more than 75 years.

Impressive capacity with extraordinary performance

The Ankarsrum provides invaluable help when baking everything from sponge cakes to sourdough loaves, from bagels to pizza dough. From very large batches to very small, it really can mix anything.

The huge 7-litre bowl makes it the ideal machine for making large batches of dough. It can mix 1.5 litres of dough liquid and five kilos of dough without a problem – or 2.7 kilos of flour. The dough comes out wonderfully smooth and elastic.

Although it is the best mixer by far for large dough and bread recipes, it also works wonderfully well with batches as small as 450 grams of flour.

We have found it has consistently produced quality results with the greatest of ease, whether we are making thick cookie dough, whipping a meringue or preparing as many as six loaves of delicious bread in a single batch.

There does not seem to be any strain on the motor, no reduction of the RPMs, no strange noises. This is the real deal. Whether mixing up a small batch of cookies, or using it to its full capacity, this mixer is a dream.

Clever design and technology

Rather than the traditional planetary design with spinning attachments, Ankarsrum’s motor-in-base design enables one of the mixer’s most unique features: the bowl rotates while the attachments remain stationary. This results in a much more stable mixer (weight at bottom) and provides a unique mixing action that does a superior job on breads and heavy dough recipes.

Another standout feature is the unique dough roller and dough knife. With less time and effort, this time-tested method effectively mimics kneading dough by hand, thanks to its unique roller and knife design. The moveable steel arm holds the roller in place, allowing the machine to simultaneously knead and mix doughs and batters. The deeply fluted roller acts as the baker’s fingers, with the knife mimicking the palm of the hand. The dough knife folds the dough with a rhythmic motion while the roller provides a powerful massaging action, making for exceptional mixing and kneading.

The fluted roller and knife tools knead the dough without tearing it, unlike mass-produced dough hooks, making the dough light and fluffy. 

The cleverly designed roller can be easily adjusted and moved. The separate dough knife is one of the more brilliant attachments we have seen. The knife sits along the side of the bowl and scrapes as the bowl turns, meaning the machine does not have to be stopped and the bowl scraped every minute.

The biggest difference between dense, heavy baked goods and delightfully textured products is proper development of the gluten in the dough, and the powerful Ankarsrum mixer really excels at producing dough with perfectly developed gluten.

Once the proper method is learned, the home baker will never go back to a traditional overhead stand mixer.

Thoughtful features for perfect results

Truly ingenious, Ankarsrum comes with an expert array of carefully engineered features that have been incredibly well thought-out. Easily control what ingredients are added and when, and how long the dough is kneaded for, all along making any desired adjustments during the process.

Whereas most stand mixers have the motor in the top of the unit and a tilt-back head, Ankarsrum’s motor is in the base. This means super-easy access when adding ingredients to the open bowl, while at the same time seeing all the contents.

It also has a 12-minute timer and a variable bowl speed control that adjusts from 40 to 140 RPM, giving more freedom and precision to the baking process.

Impressively, the mixer has a self-adjusting speed sensor, meaning that the machine automatically adjusts the motor torque and speed according to the load.

Thanks to overload protection, the machine will automatically stop if the dough is too heavy and the motor is put under too much strain.

We also like the lid, which means we can proof the bread in the same bowl as it is mixed.

The control panel is angled for comfortable use, and the large timer and speed controls are attractive and easy to read.

Another useful feature is the removable power cord that simplifies clean-up and storage. It comes in a low profile to fit under overhead cabinets, and being relatively light at just 8.6 kilos, it is easy to move.

Bowls and attachments for all mixing, kneading and whipping needs

The Ankarsrum Original includes two bowls:

- A stainless bowl

- A clear Tritan, BPA-free whisking/beater bowl

The large 7-litre stainless steel bowl holds up to 19 cups of flour. With a great design, it has a curved-in rim to keep the contents inside the bowl. The bowl does not have a centre cone to get in the way or any seams or shafts, which makes clean-up easy.

The clear 3.5-litre bowl produces beautiful meringues, beating up to 20 egg whites – or as few as two – with outstanding results. One can also cream butter, margarine and shortening with sugar to the creamiest texture for every cookie need.

In addition to the dough roller, the dough knife and the proving lid, there is a shortcrust dough hook, multi-wire balloon whisks and single-wire beater whisks. It really satisfies all mixing, kneading and whipping needs.

Powerful motor

Thanks to its powerful and uniquely engineered motor, one can mix even heavier dough with ease.

Synonymous with exceptional Swedish quality, the mixer’s motor has been developed and manufactured by Ankarsrum Motors. Founded 350 years ago, Ankarsrum Motors AB manufactures universal motors for kitchen appliances such as Vitamix.

The Ankarsrum’s advanced transmission features a belt drive that transmits power more efficiently than common gear drives used in mass-marketed stand mixers. They maintain their higher efficiency and power for years and years.

The efficient, high-torque 1,500-watt motor runs smoothly and quietly, providing ample power to mix and knead even the largest batch of heavy bread dough without straining. It also allows the machine to be both strong and quiet. Moreover, the mixer has the motor on the bottom of the unit for increased stability and efficiency.

We have not found any reports of burned out motors due to mixing heavy doughs.

Swedish design and engineering at its best

Handmade in the small town of Ankarsrum in Sweden, Ankarsum Assistent Original embodies decades-old pride of craftsmanship.

All of the aluminium parts – the chassi, arm attachment, mincer and electrical motor – are still cast, processed and assembled in Ankarsrum. The plastic components are sourced and manufactured by companies in the region.

The kitchen machine was first developed in the 1940s by industrial designer Alvar Lenning under the three watchwords of quality, functionality and design. Ankarsrum Assistent Original became Sweden’s first kitchen machine and is just as popular today. Since its launch in 1940, 1.5 million Ankarsrum Assistent Original machines have been sold in more than 30 countries.

Launched last year, the new Ankarsrum Assistent Original has been awarded the seal of excellence by Plus X Award – the world’s largest innovation award for technology, sports and lifestyle – in four categories: quality, design, ease of use and functionality.

Ankarsrum Assistent Original was also awarded Best of the Best – Kitchen Innovation of the Year 2018 in the Small Electrical Appliances category. The Kitchen Innovation of the Year award is among the most coveted in the industry. Based on consumer ratings, it therefore enjoys a great level of prestige and is always considered a high recommendation to buyers. The reason for this very special commendation: the latest model of the traditional machine impresses with its outstanding functionality, innovation, design and sustainability.

With an attractive design, the mixer is available in a wide range of beautiful colours, such as black, white, silver, cream, red, blue, lilac, pink, orange and green.

Impressive warranty

Users attest that this machine will last decades, even with heavy use. For peace of mind, it comes with a 7-year warranty on the motor.

Unlimited capabilities

With an array of 18 optional attachments, Ankarsrum adds versatility and functionality to cooking – from blending, juicing, slicing, grating, flour making, grain flaking and cookie pressing, to pasta making, berry straining, meat grinding, sausage stuffing, and more.

Get inspired from Ankarsrum’s book, “Eat Like A Genius”, which presents the favourite recipes of some of the leading minds of all time. It includes original recipes from the former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela; the entrepreneur and founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad; and the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald; as well as the favourite dishes of many other immortalised names, such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Selma Lagerlöf, August Strindberg and Jackson Pollock.

As far as stand mixers go, it doesn’t get any better than Ankarsrum

We fell head over heels for this incredibly powerful Swedish-designed machine, which mixes doughs better than any we have tried before.

Engineered for exceptional performance, the Ankarsrum mixer is everything we could ask for as a serious home baker. Ease of adding ingredients, ease of clean up, plenty of power and superior results – this iconic mixer has it all.

ankarsrum.com/en

Note: The Ankarsrum Assistent Original has been offered in past years as the Ankarsrum Original, Electrolux Assistent, Electrolux Classic Assistent, the Magic Mill DLX Mixer and the Verona Assistent.

How to make frozen desserts without preservatives, nut butters without salt and sugar, hot soups without artificial flavourings, mayonnaise without emulsifiers, almond milks without stabilisers and, of course, green smoothies that don’t have to be chewed?

A true workhorse in my kitchen, the Blendtec high-speed Designer 725 Blender has really been a game changer for me. Stylish, functional and oh so powerful, it can handle an exceptional variety of tasks with ease, and the end result is perfect, time after time.

Actually, the cult-like status that Blendtec blenders have acquired did not make sense to me until I had the opportunity to try it out. Then I realised what all the hype was about.

Up till then, I had been using a regular blender, and I did not have any idea how much versatility a powerhouse blender can bring to the kitchen. The Blendtec Designer 725 Blender has a high-power motor and large blades that allow it to blend any ingredient quickly and evenly.

I have used it faithfully and frequently ever since I got it, and it is now by far my most loved and most used kitchen appliance. I use it several times a week. Green smoothies in the WildSide+ jar every morning for the family; the WildSide+ jar comes in handy again for sauce mixes; or I use the Twister jar for all sorts of blends such as salad dressings, chia puddings, vegan cheese blends and more. I’m in blending heaven.

By far the most technologically advanced blender I have ever seen, Blendtec takes blending to the next level with their Designer 725 Blender. Along with its durability, versatility and power, the blender is a godsend. From healthy green smoothies and decadent nut butters, to delicious ice creams and piping hot soups, to tasty buttermilk bread and festive frozen cocktails, the possibilities are endless.

Boasting an advanced blending technology, and providing the latest interactive experience, the Blendtec Designer 725 could be the world’s smartest blender. Features such as SmartBlend technology, pre-set programmes, multi-speed pulser, and a 100-speed touch slider for precision control combine with the elegant design to make it one of the most indispensable kitchen tools I have ever owned.

The Blendtec Designer 725 is great for serious blending enthusiasts, home chefs creating blended masterpieces, and anyone wanting the smartest blender that offers ultimate precision.

Six pre-programmed blend cycles

One of the best aspects about this Blendtec blender is that there are several 1-touch pre-set blend cycles, ensuring that everything is blended to perfection. The feature takes out the guesswork as the automatic blend cycles ensure the desired consistency and texture is achieved, whilst minimising the risk of over-processing. The hands-free programme also provides time to attend to, and finish other tasks in the kitchen.

The six pre-programmed cycles enable perfect blends with one single touch. They are:

• Smoothie: fruit smoothies, green smoothies
• Dips/Salsa: dressings, dips, sauces, batters
• Frozen Treats/Ice Cream: ice cream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet
• Whole Juice: juices, green drinks
• Hot Soup: soups, hot beverages, syrups, fondues
• Clean: automatic cleaning cycle
• The Designer 725 even suggests additional uses for each cycle, making it easy to know how to get the most from the blender.

“Add 10”

For completely customised blends, additional seconds may be added to each pre-programmed blend in increments of 10.

100-speed capacitive touch slider and multi-speed pulse

In addition to the six pre-set programmes, there are two great features for manual control:

• 100-Speed Touch Sliding control
• Multi-Speed Pulse function

The super-advanced touch slider allows fine-tuning of the speed, all with the slide of a finger. With an impressive 100 speed settings, it gives maximum control and seamless precision blending to customise any recipe. Modify the speed by one degree at a time, from 1-100. The smart LCD goes even one step farther by showing which speed to use for stirring, chopping, mixing, blending or pureeing. It brings restaurant-quality food right to the home kitchen.

Another notable feature is the Multi-Speed Pulse, to be used for an added burst of power at any speed. It is handy for chopping, mincing, whipping and other momentary tasks that do not require a long blend cycle. Select amongst 100 pulse speeds as opposed to just a single speed that is normally offered by standard blenders.

Sleek design and intelligent technology

Elegantly designed, the Designer 725 blender comes with a stylish, cutting-edge touchscreen interface.

Making walk-away blending possible, the blender features modern touch controls that not only look great, but make everything from efficient blending to clean-up easier than ever. It features a practical, easy-to-use touchscreen with a speed slider and different blend programme settings.

The icons are back-lit, and disappear completely when not in use, leaving a beautiful, clean appearance.

Moreover, gone are the days when blenders would harbour mould and bacteria in their old-fashioned knobs, push-buttons and dials. The 725’s sleek touchscreen is flat, smooth, and cleaned in one swipe.

The Blendtec Designer 725 is truly a blender with a brain. The exclusive and immensely impressive SmartBlend technology senses and identifies potential problems that could interfere with the perfect blend, including loading errors, overheating and air pockets. Then the LCD will tell users how to correct them: With messages such as “add more liquid,” there is no more guessing what is going wrong.

The blender has a rubber foot which is great for two things. One is that it helps the blender stay in place. Another benefit is that it reduces the blender’s operating temperature by preventing outgoing hot air from coming in contact with the incoming cool air.

Built for maximum performance, the blender is lightweight with a space-saving design that makes it easy to store and fit under or inside cabinets.

Smartly designed jars

One of the great things I love about Blendtec is the range of well-designed jars to choose from. No more worry about those notoriously difficult foods: Blendtec addresses everything from nut butters to single-serve smoothies.

The WildSide+ Blendtec Blender Jar is the workhorse. It is the most versatile jar and comes standard with the Designer 725 Blender.

This is the patented jar design that revolutionised high-speed blending. The WildSide+ features a square and 5-sided jar design that allows a high-powered vortex to be created in the centre to automatically pull all ingredients down into the blade for smooth consistency. Instead of ingredients spinning around in a circle as they do in a round jar, they hit the flat side of the jar. Inertia then carries the ingredients up the side of the jar until they reach the top of the mix. At this point, they turn around and head back down, right into the business end of the blades. This unique design eliminates the need for a tamper.

I also appreciate that with Blendtec’s wide, square base and 2-pronged blade, it is easy to scrape out every last bit of the mixture. Little, if any food is wasted.

Uniquely formulated for an extra-long life, the 2.66L jar is made from impact-resistant, BPA-free copolyester. Additionally, high-contrast, easy-to-read measuring marks (for cups, ounces, millilitres and centilitres) are included on Blendtec’s jars to help in the adding of just the right amounts of ingredients.

Thoughtfully designed with attention to detail, the Blendtec jars come with Vented Gripper Lids that allow the adding of ingredients to the blend through a removable central opening, which in addition to being much safer, also allows for the proper dispersal of the extra pressure produced when blending hot liquids.

Bigger, stronger and safer blades

Blendtec’s incredible blenders are known for their power.

Having said that, a Blendtec motor’s awesome power would be wasted on a wimpy blade. To handle the immense power, the blade needs to be bigger, thicker, and more robust than other blender blades.

Tuned for heavy use, the Blendtec blades are made of cold-forged hardened steel and are up to 80% thicker and 10 times stronger than other blender blades.

One of the reasons Blendtec’s blades can pulverise just about anything is that their patented vertical wingtips and precision angles transfer more power than other blades. Plus, the distinct single-blade design allows ingredients to fall easily in front of and behind the blade, rather than pushing ingredients away from the blending vortex.

Designed for faster, superior blends as well as for safety, all Blendtec jars come with a single blade that is blunt, as opposed to the normal sharp blender blades. The dull blade crushes the ingredients at the bottom and pulverises virtually anything, rather than slicing them.

And the blade is completely safe to clean, too.

Powerful motor and unbreakable drive socket

The Blendtec blender features one of the most powerful motors in the home market, providing the same commercial strength and quality found in the best-equipped smoothie shops and restaurants.

The Designer 725 comes with a high-speed 3.8 peak horsepower motor that utilises 1,800 watts, able to generate potent blending power that is up to any task. The motor can blend even the toughest ingredients – such as ice, frozen fruit and raw veggies – to a perfectly smooth consistency without any problems.

The drive socket that spins the blade, transferring the power from the motor to the blade, has to be very powerful when dealing with high-speed blenders. Instead of relying on breakable plastic parts to spin the blades, the Blendtec blender features a hardened metal drive socket. This drive socket is unbreakable and never needs to be replaced.

Ease of cleaning

Another smart feature is the blender’s specific self-cleaning mode. With a cup of water and a drop of dish soap, one can turn on the blender to do an automatic 30-second cleaning cycle. It should be enough to get rid of the remaining ingredients inside.

For hardened food debris, manual cleaning could be necessary. The Blendtec jar is really easy to clean with its flawless square design and 2-prong blade.

The sleek design also makes it much easier to clean, requiring a simple wipe with a damp cloth. No switches and knobs to get dirty and grimy.

The twister jar is simply genius

The optional Twister Jar alone is enough to make me love my Blendtec. Even though it is an optional extra and added expense, it is so worth the investment when looking to do thicker blends.

The Twister Jar is specifically designed for the toughest and thickest blends such as nut butters, hummus, pesto, guacamole, thick sauces and smaller serving sizes.

The top of the jar has a lid with attached scrapers that can be twisted to push thick products off the jar walls to ensure an even, smooth blend. It is a genius idea really, because in less than 60 seconds it produces home-made peanut butter without any chunks. Or almond butter. Or creamy banana ice cream, or a thick milkshake. 

Engineered and assembled in the U.S.A.

Blendtec engineers, designs and assembles all their blenders in the American state of Utah, with components either manufactured in-house or sourced primarily from the U.S.A. Some components of the blenders are made outside the USA, such as Germany.

Regardless, only the highest quality parts and raw materials are used to ensure years of trouble-free blending, such as the metal die-cast finish and cold-forged steel blades.

Impressive warranty

Blendtec is so confident in the quality craftsmanship and durability of their blenders that they offer a very attractive warranty.

All new blenders and included jar come with an 8-year warranty. Jars that are purchased separately will have a 3-year warranty.

A marvel of innovation, efficiency and power

The Blendtec Designer 725 Blender is much more than a smoothie blender. It is capable of blending just about anything. I have been putting it through its paces with excellent results each time. I have made creamy soups, thick dips, sticky dough, dense cake batter, fruit smoothies, boozy blended drinks, cheese sauces, delicious nut butters and home-made almond milk, as well as milling my own flours – and much more.

Versatile, effortless and indispensable,  this model has all the features I want in a blender: power, smart technology, an advanced interactive display and thoughtful design. In my opinion, this Blendtec blender is worth its weight in gold.

For anyone who loves cooking, this multi-tasking Designer 725 Blender by Blendtec is one of the best investments they can ever make.

blendtec.com / blendtec.uk

I immediately fell in love with the beautiful and elegant, yet understated and simple design of the White Line series by Eva Solo.

There is a harmonious balance between function and beauty, where the style of modern elegance honours both the essence of utilitarian objects and the idea of beauty in function.

The Eva Trio White Line set was designed by Ole Palsby, who was inspired by all the functions that professional kitchens have in their toolkits. Designed to be durable and timelessly stylish, the collection blends thoughtful practicality and clean Scandinavian aesthetics. Exceptionally good looking, the products have garnered international acclaim for their simple, timeless elegance.

The White Line series features a variety of cookware – including frying pans, saucepan, sauté pan and pots – that can be gathered together to create a seamless and stylish collection for the kitchen.

The visually appealing cookware is made of aluminium with a white ceramic coating on the outside and a stainless steel rim all the way around the top for protection. The pots and pans have a white PFOA-free non-stick coating, which prevents food from sticking. The coating is hard and robust and will retain its white colour regardless of use.

The superb heat conduction allows for even cooking. Conveniently, the pots and pans are suitable for all kinds of hobs, including induction cooktops. Dishwasher safe for convenience, they are very easy to clean by hand as well.

Deliciously minimal without skimping on utility, the White Line cookware by Eva Solo is a beautiful essential for any modern kitchen.

www.evasolo.com

For anyone who is tired of preparing all their foods by hand – including slicing and chopping vegetables, grinding up seeds and nuts, shredding and grating cheeses or mixing dough – just consider a food processor.

A food processor is the answer to almost any prep work standing in the way of a tasty dinner. It means spending less time chopping and more time cooking and entertaining. A multi-tasking kitchen appliance, a great food processor will take the hassle out of prep work without compromising the quality of the results.

But there is a huge range of food processors out there, and while all of them claim to make fast and easy work of the many food preparation tasks at hand – creating finely sliced carrots, creamy mayonnaise and perfectly whisked egg whites – the reality is often quite different.

We have tried so many models and I have to say the Magimix processor always comes out as the winner. It is more resilient than anything else we have used, which is really important, and the company has amazing guarantees so if there ever was an issue it is easily fixed. With a great reputation, high quality and top performance, many top chefs, food writers and cookery schools are also long-time fans of this French workhorse.

Chopping, blending, kneading, mixing, emulsifying, whisking, grating and slicing are just a few of the tasks this large-capacity machine embraces with ease and finesse. It works quickly and quietly through large quantities, excelling at every task. It is as good as having a personal sous chef. Strong, robust, reliable and above all simple to use, the Magimix 5200XL is an absolute dream to use.

From cooking from scratch and frequent entertaining, to batch cooking and baking for the deep freeze, Magimix 5200XL takes care of every detail.

Multi-functional and powerfully versatile, the food processor is our single most important kitchen machine for everyday cooking and special gourmet occasions. From elaborate celebration cakes to 3-course dinners – and everything in between – the possibilities are endless.

Boasting an 1100-watt induction motor, it is very powerful yet ultra-quiet. It is sturdy too, remaining extremely stable on the worktop, even at full power.

The large-capacity food processor can handle up to a kilogram of brioche dough, 1.2 kilograms of bread dough, 1.5 kilograms of shortcrust pastry, 1.8 litres of soup or juice, 1.4 kilos of meat, 1.4 kilos of carrots or eight egg whites.

Easy to operate, all it takes is three buttons (Stop, Auto and Pulse) to use all the different functions.

The intelligent motor automatically adjusts itself, supplying the right power for different tasks and eliminating the need for manual adjustable speed controls.

It comes with a set of three nesting bowls that offer increased flexibility. Each bowl is designed for the right job.

Use the main bowl (3.6 litres) for mixing, chopping, grating, slicing, emulsifying or for something heavy-duty such as making dough. The medium/midi (2.6 litres) bowl is designed to be used for grating and slicing whilst the small/mini (1.2 litres) bowl is for processing smaller quantities such as dips, mayonnaise or baby food as well as chopping herbs or garlic.

It comes with a batch of useful attachments including:

• Sabatier stainless steel knife blade for chopping, crushing, blending, mixing
• Sabatier stainless steel slicing discs of 2 millimetres and 4 millimetres
• Sabatier stainless steel grating discs of 2 millimetres and 4 millimetres
• Dough blade for heavy pasta dough, bread dough, brioche and pastry
• Egg whisk for whisking egg whites and creams for desserts (mousse, meringue and so on)
• Extra-large feed tube that enables the slicing and shredding of whole or large pieces of fruit and vegetables
• Blendermix for a finer and improved blend for velouté soups, smoothies and pancake batters
• Triple pusher to create perfect mayonnaise and salad dressings
• Citrus press for fruits, with two cone sizes for smaller and larger fruits.

Optional accessories include a spiral expert kit that transforms fruit and vegetables into spaghetti, tagliatelle or fusilli; 6-millimetre slicing disc; 6-millimetre grating disc; parmesan/rasping disc for grating hard cheeses or hard chocolate; julienne disc for producing fine chips and small batons; a juicer kit for juices, thick jus or purée from fruit and vegetables; and a mash and purée kit for delicious home-made mashed potatoes, purées and baby food.

For us, Magimix has earned its keep many times over and is deserving of a spot on our counter. In spite of its large capacity, the Magimix 5200XL has a more compact footprint than many comparable food processors.

With Magimix’s proven track record over the decades, it is the Rolls-Royce of food processors. Drawing on its wealth of experience, Magimix has been designing and building sturdy, efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances in the heart of Burgundy, France for more than 40 years.

With one of the longest guarantees to be found for a product that is designed to last a lifetime, the Magimix food processor comes with a reassuring 30-year motor guarantee for normal domestic use. All parts and accessories are guaranteed for three years from the date of purchase.

I have had the Magimix 5200XL for six months, and I just want to say one thing: this machine is down-right fantastic. If I could only choose one kitchen appliance to have for the rest of my culinary life, this would be it. No hesitation.

www.magimix.fr

Freshly made French press coffee is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, and YIELD has truly perfected it.

Make a delicious brewed, full-bodied cup of coffee by using this stylishly good-looking ceramic French press.

As beautiful as it is functional, the French press has caught the eyes of coffee lovers everywhere with its elegant design and delicious brewing capabilities.

With its clean-lined aesthetics of style and timelessness, this beautiful piece will add refinement to both the kitchen and one’s coffee-making experience. Designed by Andrew Deming and Rachel Gant, it comes with an ergonomic handle that makes pouring easy. The plunger and stem are made of quality stainless steel, whilst the exquisite shimmering copper pull adds a sophisticated finishing touch for low-key formality. The overall look is simple, understated and of effortless beauty.

It is a quality and well-designed product that makes exceptionally aromatic, great-tasting coffee right at home.

Using the traditional French press method is easy: brew, stir, plunge and enjoy. Nevertheless, the press comes with a detailed instruction pamphlet that helps one brew the best cup. It explains ratios of coffee to water. It puts anyone well on their way to fabulous coffee in no time.

The French press uses a thick-walled ceramic body to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process and to help keeping the coffee warmer for longer. Apart from being used for brewing the best in French press coffee, it can also be used for loose-leaf tea.

Only steel, ceramic and copper have been used; there is no rubber or plastic. For peace of mind, the French press is certified SGS Food Safe. The 850-millilitre size (3-6 cups) coffee press comes in four colours: cream, sand, grey and black. There is also a glass version in clear, grey and amber.

Although YIELD prefers to work with local and domestic manufacturers, they ultimately choose to partner with a Fair Trade, family-run ceramics house in an ancient village near Hanoi, Vietnam. The manufacturing company boasts a 700-year history of ceramics production, with tricks of the trade passed down from generation to generation. The facility is now run by the 8th-generation grandson of a famed ceramicist from the 18th century. The workers are given fair pay and safe and ethical working conditions. Child labour is never used.

For anyone who likes their coffee intense and flavourful, look no farther than this ceramic French press by YIELD. With a cool, clean and understated silhouette, yet with maximum functionality and elegance, it has set a benchmark for everyday utilitarian objects.

yielddesign.co