Proliferating branches of Starbucks, Caffe Nero and Costa Coffee may suggest that Britains coffee craze has gone as far as it can, but new products indicate that home preparation of the beverage could soon reach new levels. New pod coffee makers from a range of manufacturers look set to offer the ease of preparation and quality of coffee that could rival high street outlets, and leave the aroma of a rich blend wafting through the kitchen.The Ideal Home Magazine tested out a number of pod coffee maker models, finding many pros and fewer cons to the new stylish means of producing coffee in the kitchen.The Nescafe Dolce Gusto, from Krups, was lauded by the magazine for its funky design and production of good quality black coffee while criticised for the synthetic taste of its pod drinks containing milk.Using 14 bar pressure and thermoblock heating technology in order to create the necessary brewing temperature and pressure for making espresso coffee, the Dolce Gustos simple capsule system allows its manufacturers to promise an easy to clean and maintain item a key concern for many kitchens.Also commended by the Ideal Homes Magazine was the Magimix Nespresso Essenza, producing a delicious espresso in seconds.With many pod designs offering compact measurements the Dolce Gusto is only 33 cm high a pod coffee maker could slip in ideally next to a compact sink from Astracast, for coffee-lovers with limited kitchen space.