Hasta La Gadget!

Grinding pepper yourself is so hard. Your little T-Rex arms are weak, and we have technology that means never exerting those wrists again for fresh seasonings. For $120 Tonga, a automated pepper/spice mill from Alessi, will do it for you. More »

It’s a terrifying thought, but science suggests that when under attack, plants cry for help. Invisible and, often odorless, green leaf volatiles emitted from vegetation act as a defense mechanism, communicating to other foliage that danger is near. One researcher at the University of Georgia, however, is developing a chemical sensor to use these distraught emissions for good. Working in a similar fashion detecting glucose in the blood, the sensor would be able to alert farmers to when crops are under attack from pests, allowing them to trigger defenses reactively, and in a localized area. The net result being less chemicals on our food, and potentially lower costs for producers. Other suggested uses include helping us keep our produce at home fresher for longer by — literally — weeding out bad apples in a bag, before they affect the others. The technology is still being optimized for field use, but a testing device should follow once complete. In the meantime, we’ll never feel the same about mowing the lawn again.

Chemical sensors could detect plants’ cries for help, reduce need for pesticides originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are a lot of variables that go into brewing the perfect cup of coffee. And unless you fancy yourself an aficionado, you probably don’t sweat the details. So why not let Technivorm’s Mochamaster sweat them for you. It ensures the perfect water temperature while brewing so all you have to worry about is whether you washed your mug last night. More »

If you’re not an avid gardener it’s hard to stay on top of keeping indoor plants like herbs and spices watered and cared for. So consider this Urban Cultivator like a personal gardener. It’s designed blend in with your other kitchen appliances, but it keeps a small herb garden alive and well all year long. More »

Instead of just being smaller than a regular tea spoon, this stupid creation promises to be an easy way to reduce your calorie intake by half—with a design that looks like the utensil has been literally sliced in half. It’s kitchen clutter at its worst, and even as a sight gag it’s really not that amusing. Does the sheer ridiculousness anger up your blood too? If so, sound off below. [Mustard] More »