There are many similarities between working from home and working from the office.

More than you would believe.

Waking up long before you have to leave (8:59am), ironing your smart casual outfit for the day (undies will do), that long rush hour commute (strolling across the landing), and the definitive one, sorting yourself a good coffee before you start.

I've never really been a coffee person. Like morning exercise, I've flirted with the concept, but never really engaged with it.

When the day breaks, I am unashamedly at my worst. FaceID has recognised me in moments I might not have ever recognised myself.

But now, a new 'breakthrough' from Phillips promised to change my whole way of thinking, and crucially, my mornings.

Traditionally, fresh‑bean coffee machines give you two choices: peruse through 478 identical‑sounding drink options, or cosplay as a Shoreditch barista who hears "Georgia" and writes "Jaw-Ja".

According to Sirincci Coffee Company, these are the 'stereotypes' of particular coffee drinkers.

  • Espresso drinkers are bold and efficient, appreciating the strong, rich taste of their brew.
  • Latte lovers are creative and value balance, enjoying the interplay of coffee with milk and flavours.
  • Black coffee drinkers favour simplicity and tradition, opting for a straightforward coffee experience.
  • Decaf consumers are health-conscious and caffeine-sensitive, participating in coffee culture on their terms.
  • Cold brew aficionados are patient trendsetters, valuing quality and the craft of coffee making.

Coffee 'stereotypes'. Even God gave it a rest for a day.

(Image: Newsquest)

But then the Philips Baristina arrived at my door, "Bringing the quality and taste of freshly ground beans to the small footprint and convenience of pod coffee machines."

With a brew time of under 60 seconds, the Baristina machine was well-suited to what I wanted, no faffing.

What you get with the Phillips Baristina:

It looked sleek, smart and modern. So if you're worried about it not fitting the aesthetic of your kitchen, I wouldn't worry; it'll certainly appeal to guests, whether they want a brew or not.

You've got two options to choose: espresso or lungo.

Never heard of it? A lungo is essentially an espresso, but with more water pushed through the same amount of coffee, so you get:

  • Less clutching at your chest, thinking "is this it?" intensity
  • More “I can do this Teams call without crying” sippability

I liked it, a lot.

(Image: Newsquest)

What's more, you can also get yourself a milk frother from Phillips, which elevates your little lungo to new levels.

How it changed my mornings:

From here on out, I added it to my daily morning routine and started noticing a big change.

Firstly, my sleep improved.

I was getting a solid seven hours each night and waking up hours before work, leaving me ample time to get back outside and start running again.

Secondly, my mood improved greatly throughout the day.

There I was, bouncing like Tigger off the roof with a revitalised spring in my step, actually looking forward to the work day rather than praying for its end.

Recommended reading:

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How this coffee machine can actually save you money

If you are partial to a capsule in the morning, then you might want to take note.

By using the Philips Baristina machine, you could save more than £275 by choosing coffee beans over the capsules commonly used in portioned coffee machines.

This is based on three cups of coffee a day, comparing capsules costing £0.51 to coffee beans costing £25 per kilo, as of November 2025 

The average price of a coffee in the UK is approximately £3.00 to £4.00.

Major chains like Costa, Pret, and Caffè Nero generally charge between £3.50 and £4.00+ for standard milk-based drinks.

Plus, you do get a kick out of slightly moving the handle, for that is all the effort I will allow myself.

But the noise it starts to make as it grinds your fresh coffee beans, well, I can see some appeal of being a coffee 'stereotype', I suppose.

What's a coffee 'stereotype' you've found? Let us know in the comments