Capresso, a marketer of premium home coffee and tea brewing appliances, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1994 by small appliance veteran Michael Kramm, the Capresso brand is developed and marketed by Jura Inc., a Montvale, NJ-based marketer of Jura automatic coffee machines in the United States. Capresso was launched to introduce American consumers to high-end European-style coffee makers. Combining the names of two beverages, “cappuccino” and “espresso,” Capresso set out to deliver something new and distinctive to the coffee world, according to the company. The brand has since expanded its focus to encompass grinders, hot and cold tea, frothed milk and hot chocolate.
Capresso, in 1994, debuted the CoffeeTEAM, the first combination coffee maker and burr grinder. The product was featured on NBC The Today Show as the 1995 new product of the year. Since then, Capresso has continued to launch one innovation after another, including:
- The first pump espresso machines with stainless steel lined ThermoBlock
- The first stand-alone automatic milk frother for home use
- The first burr grinder with an exclusive electronic sensor
- The first automatic coffee maker with a stainless steel thermal carafe and stainless steel lined heating system
“In 1994, when I first heard the news about Capresso, I realized that coffee making was about to be turned on its head,” said Janis Johnson, president and founder, Gourmet Catalog Inc. “Gourmet Catalog as a group immediately embraced Capresso and its exciting new application of technology. Our leap of faith has led to a long, successful journey and a rewarding relationship with true industry partners.”