World’s Smallest Coffee Maker Makes Espresso in 30 Seconds

Need a fast cup of espresso without a machine, outlet, or barista? That’s the challenge many coffee drinkers face — especially at the office, in a dorm room, or while traveling. Most solutions either involve instant coffee, bulky machines, or long waits. But what if you could make a passable shot of espresso in under a minute using just your microwave?

Piamo, the self-described world’s smallest coffee maker, can brew a small cup of espresso in just 30 seconds using your microwave — no electricity, plugs, or complex setup needed.

What Is the Piamo Microwave Coffee Maker?

The Piamo is a compact, three-part coffee device made from food-grade plastic. It consists of a cup body, a built-in coffee grinding chamber, and a water reservoir. Unlike traditional espresso machines, it doesn’t use pressure or electricity. Instead, it relies on your microwave to heat water into steam, which then passes through ground coffee to produce a short espresso-style drink directly into the cup.

How Does It Work?

To use the Piamo, you fill the water reservoir, add ground coffee into the grinding chamber, and assemble the unit. Then you place the whole device in the microwave for 30 seconds. During that time, the microwave heats the water, turning it into steam. That steam passes through the coffee grounds, extracting flavors and producing a small shot of espresso that collects in the cup portion. Once done, you can remove it, drink, and clean up.

Cleaning and Portability

The entire unit is dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple. Its small size and lack of electrical components also make it highly portable. According to its designer, it was created to replace outdated office coffee machines and serve as a personal coffee solution you can take anywhere — whether you’re at work, in a hotel, or just away from your regular setup.

Who Designed the Piamo?

The Piamo was created by German coffee enthusiast Christoph Meyl. Frustrated with the poor quality of office coffee machines, Meyl designed the Piamo as a personal project. With encouragement from family, he developed it into a functional product aimed at coffee lovers who want a quick, decent-quality espresso without needing a full machine or access to an outlet.

Espresso Basics: What Makes Good Crema?

In traditional espresso brewing — like with a proper machine — crema is that golden-brown foam layer on top of the shot. It's formed from coffee oils, carbon dioxide, and tiny bubbles. The crema you see initially includes both unstable bubbles and the actual coffee oils that settle after a short time. Good crema comes from fresh, properly roasted beans, the right extraction pressure (usually 9 bars), and a balanced brew ratio like 1:1.8 to 1:2. Without enough pressure or fresh beans, you get thin, broken crema or none at all.

Does the Piamo Make Real Espresso?

The Piamo doesn’t generate the 9-bar pressure that true espresso machines do. Instead, it uses steam from microwaved water to extract coffee, similar to how some stovetop brewers or older methods work. While it produces a small, concentrated coffee that resembles espresso in volume and strength, coffee experts wouldn’t classify it as a true espresso in the technical sense. Still, it delivers a stronger, more flavorful shot than instant coffee — and much faster than waiting in line or setting up a machine.

FAQ

How long does it take to make coffee with the Piamo?

The Piamo brews a cup of espresso in exactly 30 seconds using your microwave. Total time includes heating and extraction once the device is assembled and microwaved.

What kind of coffee does the Piamo make?

The Piamo makes a small, concentrated coffee similar in strength to espresso, though it does not use 9-bar pressure. It’s stronger than instant coffee but not technically a true espresso due to the lack of mechanical pressure.

Is the Piamo easy to clean?

Yes, the entire Piamo device is dishwasher safe. You can simply disassemble it and put it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning after use.

Can I use the Piamo without a microwave?

No, the Piamo requires a microwave to heat the water into steam, which then brews the coffee. It won’t work without one.

Where is the Piamo designed for use?

The Piamo was designed as a personal coffee maker for use at the office, while traveling, or in places without access to a traditional coffee machine or an electrical outlet.

Is the Piamo portable?

Yes, the Piamo is compact, made of lightweight food-grade plastic, and has no electrical parts, making it easy to carry and use almost anywhere.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Home Brewing

For coffee lovers wanting to explore better espresso at home, FrontStreet Coffee’s Commercial Blend offers a well-rounded 10% Robusta and 90% Arabica mix for bold crema and smooth body—great for milk drinks. Their Specialty Blend, featuring Brazilian and Colombian beans, delivers rich chocolate and caramel tones with a stable crema ideal for espresso or lattes. Both blends are freshly roasted and designed to perform well under various brewing methods, including those requiring a strong, crema-rich shot. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.