Making your morning cup of tea is probably something you do without even thinking. Toss a teabag in a mug, fill the kettle, and stare into space until it's boiled. What if, instead of just waiting, you turned those few minutes into a little moment of 'me time'? That's the idea behind the Calm Kettle from Russell Hobbs, and it's a lovely one.
The concept is quite simple. While it's heating, a light in the kettle's base cycles through a range of different colours, fading from one to the next, while soothing music plays in the background. It reminds me of some of the best wake-up lamps I've tested, which aim to rouse you with gentle sounds and light rather than jolting you awake.
I first saw the Calm Kettle in use at a guided meditation session in London, where (after a soothing cup of herbal tea) participants were invited to lie in a darkened room while a sound therapy practitioner used a set of singing bowls so skilfully that at least one person in the room fell fast asleep.
The kettle probably won't have quite the same effect unless you chose to lie on a yoga mat while it's working, but it's still effective, reminding you to breathe deeply for a couple of minutes, and taking your mind off any worries about the day ahead.
It's particularly effective before you put the main lights on, or throw your curtains open, so take your time and don't rush. The effect is enhanced as the kettle comes to the boil and you can see the water rolling through its frosted glass sides.
The handle and lid are finished in a soft shade of copper, while the base is white with a hidden white LED display showing the current temperature as the kettle heats. If you like, you can also run the light and music without the heating element, and there's a 'keep warm' function if you need time to prepare your drink,
It doesn't just sound and look good, either. The Calm Kettle offers temperature controls so you can set the best option for your drink of choice. That's particularly useful for delicate green, white, and herbal teas, which require a lower temperature than black tea. It's great for pour-over coffee as well, the ideal temperature for which is usually reckoned to be around 194-200F or 90-95C.
The Calm Kettle launched earlier this year, and has a list price of £99.99 (about $130 / AU$200). I don't know whether it will receive a price cut for Black Friday, but Russell Hobbs is currently holding a big seasonal sale with deals on a wide range of other kitchen appliances, so take a look and see what's available.
➡️ Read our full guide to the best coffee makers
1. Best espresso:
Breville Barista Touch Impress
2. Best drip:
Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal
3. Best all-in-one:
Ninja Luxe Café
4. Best Nespresso:
Krups Nespresso Pixie
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