The mypressi TWIST is an awful idea. In fact, the mypressi TWIST is an insult to espresso lovers around the world. That was my initial knee-jerk reaction to this portable espresso maker, which my friend – who cannot get through a day without at least four equally timed espresso shots, yes she is proudly addicted to caffeine – thought would be a perfect gift for me when the product is released sometime this fall.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how useful and cool the mypressi TWIST really is. Granted, espresso purists will never accept something like the mypressi TWIST. From their narrow-minded perspective, the mypressi TWIST represents everything that that is supposedly wrong with drinking espresso on the go or not spending a considerable amount of time obsessing about proper steps that must be taken to prepare a perfect cup of espresso.

But when it comes to getting my caffeine fix, I do not care about perfection – it is subjective and unattainable anyway, which is why I love the convenience of Starbucks. All I care about is having access to a reasonably good espresso, especially when I need it the most, and that is where the mypressi TWIST shines. It is very portable and easy to use.

When do I need my caffeine fix the most? Since caffeine in its natural form provides a nearly perfect pre-workout energy boost, I am talking about the time when I am at the gym.

With the mypressi TWIST, I can have a great espresso shot (with crema and all) as soon as I get to my gym, which is very convenient and satisfying. And get this, the gadget has no need for external power (it uses a gas cartridge) and weighs in at only one pound. Did I mention that it is very portable and easy to use? It is. [Image via]