Been to a Starbucks lately? Macchiato. Chai latte with soy. Double decaffeinated half-capp, skinny no whip. You need to spend a year apprenticing under a master barista in Italy just to be able to order intelligently, let alone actually brew some for yourself. (Personally, I think what they've done is genius: Get people hooked on something they can't ever hope of making at home, so they have to come to you to buy it.)

The last time you went out on a date: Did she order coffee after dinner? Or ask to go to a coffee shop after the movies? Chances are she did. Was it even considered that, instead, you both go back to your place for coffee? Probably not, since you and your pal, Mr. Coffee, can only do so much. As far as you know, whipping up an after-dinner cappuccino requires special equipment, a crew of five or six highly trained experts, safety goggles, insulated gloves, and ingredients you have to buy on the black market.

If you’d rather be able to say, “How about we head back to my place for a latte?” then you should check out the Tassimo Hot Beverage System from Braun. We have one in the Bachelor Pad test kitchen, and everyone here is addicted to it now. Part of the reason is how easy it is to use, (you just pop in a “T Disc” of whatever you want, and hit the button), and part is its versatility. It can brew single cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and real espresso, latte and cappuccino… basically anything they have a T Disc for. Each in about a minute. With no measuring, changing of filters, or cleanup needed.

Tassimo even has recipes on its website that give suggestions on how to make unique drink creations, like Candy Bar Hot Chocolate and Glorious Affogato, (basically ice cream drowned in espresso). So now you can invite her back for something she can’t get at any coffee shop.

$129.99 www.tassimo.com